The boat had left the week before. A meeting could have been held the very next day, but the community took a breath to reflect, book the village hall and put out notice of a meeting, and discussions were held quietly behind closed doors about the enormity of the next step.
On the evening of 13th September 2015 the hall was packed to the rafters with 81 people including residents, crew members and local politicians. There was only one item on the agenda – an independent, community-owned Lifeboat for St Abbs – yes or no, for or against. Unsurprisingly the vote was unanimous, key people were assigned to tasks and volunteers took on various roles. One such task was given to a resident of 44 years who felt very passionately about the need for a lifeboat in St Abbs for personal reasons of loss, and so she went away quietly to write letters to businesses and notable people telling them about the appeal.
St Abbs Independent Lifeboat was effectively born that night – as a concept at least. A crew member summed it up perfectly:
“It would seem that our community has been forged together with one overwhelming objective, all the doubt and uncertainty that loomed over our heads when the RNLI announced their plans in May has been lifted from us and now we are all looking to the future with new plans new ideas and a new determination that can only come from having nothing left to lose.”
But how to turn an idea into a reality?
To be continued……on 1st October with “The Appeal”…..
If you were involved in the campaign at the time and have any memories you’d like to share about what you did and what it meant to you, please use the link above to post your thoughts.
If you have any photos you’d like to include in this album we’d love to see them so please email them to [email protected]
