Ramsgate Town Council to Award Honorary Freedom of the Town to Ramsgate RNLI

Ramsgate Town Council is delighted to announce that it has voted to award the Honorary Freedom of the Town to Ramsgate RNLI in recognition of their extraordinary service to the community. The decision was made at a Special Council Meeting held on 25th September 2024.

This prestigious award is the highest honour a local authority can bestow and acknowledges the invaluable work carried out by the volunteers and staff of Ramsgate RNLI, who have dedicated themselves to saving lives at sea and ensuring public safety in and around the waters of Ramsgate.

Over the years, Ramsgate RNLI has been a cornerstone of the community, with its team responding to emergency callouts at all hours and in the harshest conditions. In addition to their life-saving efforts, the RNLI has played an essential role in promoting water safety education and fostering a sense of community responsibility, making Ramsgate a safer place for all.

Councillor Steve Albon, Chair of Ramsgate Town Council, praised the RNLI’s tireless efforts and their commitment to the town, saying: "The Ramsgate RNLI is the embodiment of courage, selflessness, and dedication. For generations, they have protected the lives of locals and visitors alike, often putting themselves in harm’s way to rescue those in need. Bestowing the Honorary Freedom of the Town is a small but significant way to thank them for their incredible work and unwavering service. Ramsgate is immensely proud of its RNLI crew, and this award reflects the town’s deep gratitude."

The official ceremony to award the Honorary Freedom of the Town will be planned in the coming months, where the RNLI will be formally recognised for their contributions to the community.

Chair of the Ramsgate RNLI Management Committee, Eric Burton, said: “On behalf of everybody involved with the Ramsgate lifeboat, I want to express my thanks to Ramsgate Town Council for bestowing upon us the Freedom of the Town of Ramsgate. It is great honour, and we are very proud to be honoured in this way. We have a good relationship with the Town Council who have been very supportive of the RNLI over the years."

The Coxswain of Ramsgate RNLI, Ian Cannon, added: “On behalf of the crew of the Ramsgate RNLI, I would like to say how proud we are to be honoured in this way, especially as we are celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the creation of the RNLI. The first Ramsgate lifeboat actually predates the RNLI as it was established in 1802 by the Trustees of Ramsgate Harbour.”

Written by:
Laura Fidler,
Town Clerk & RFO

Photographs:
First Photo: Diamond Jubilee
Second Photo: (Left) Gary West, Lifeboat Operations Manager, (Right) Phil Mace, full time station mechanic.
Third Photo: Taken by Steve Burton to mark 'a moment in time with one crew' taken on 01.08.24 at 18:24pm as 1824 was the year of the RNLI creation.