During a shift at the shop which supports the lifeboat operation in Looe there was a call out. Sheryll Murray MP spoke of the bravery of the crews and remembered the Solomon Browne lifeboat 30 years ago when it went to rescue the Union Star and was lost with all hands.
Speaking after her shift at the shop Sheryll said, “While I was there the lifeboat put to sea. Hearing the tractor, the ladies enquired about the details of the ‘shout’. On this occasion there was no emergency. The lifeboat was going out to sea for a photo call with the family of Ollie Naismith. The towns inshore D class, was funded by a public appeal which saw an amazing £84,000 raised in eight months, more than double the original target and dedicated to the local Looe teenager who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident. I pay particular tribute to Ollie’s family who engaged in a lot of fundraising towards the cost of the lifeboat.
“It was a real pleasure to be able to join the volunteers at the shop and I am delighted that the shop was so busy. The shop is always grateful for more volunteers and if you find you have some time on your hands, I know they would be very pleased to see you. The volunteers are currently working to raise £8,000 to fund the cost of newly developed, state of the art, lifejackets for the lifeboat crew. Many fundraising events are planned and they have already benefited from a Christmas Concert by the Pelynt Male Voice Choir where they served mince pies and mulled wine. However, they need to reach the target within about a month and if anyone would like to donate towards this vital equipment to help the local lifeboat crew they can hand it in to the shop.”
Speaking about the thirtieth anniversary of the loss of the Solomon Browne Sheryll said, “It does not seem 30 years ago that the terrible tragedy took place in Cornwall with the loss of the Solomon Browne, the Penlee Lifeboat. I remember hearing the news come through just before Christmas. To lose a loved one to the sea is bad enough, but remembering that lifeboat men volunteer to crew these vessels and put to sea on the roughest of weather makes such a tragedy all the more distressing.
“I received this poem recently (attached) and felt that I would like to share it with you. I would like to thank my constituent, Mr Daryle Arkwell-Gay, for sharing his words with me.”
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Attached: Sheryll Murray in the Looe shop. Solomon Browne poem by Daryle Arkwell-Gay.