Report on Saturday 4th August Pimm’s Point to Point for the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary Year
The aim of the event was for all ages, often three generations of BRSC members, to get on the water in a variety of small craft and to make their way around 4 ‘points’ or jetties on the Gins to Gilbury reaches of the river while enjoying sustenance and donating to the RNLI along the way!
The skies were a bit ominous, but spirits were not dampened as the crews set off, by sail, motor and oar power (the indomitable Lizzie Langdon who rowed the entire way), from Needs Ore in a brisk wind for Point number one which was hosted by Gilles and Ines Graham on their pontoon just past The RSYC on the Gins reach. After a glass of Pimm’s and much chatting, the fleet set off again for ‘point’ number two hosted by Sir Keith and Maureen Mills. This time everyone tied on to their pontoon, with the invaluable help of Charlie, and walked up to dry land in their garden! By now inhibitions were cast aside and after another glass of Pimm’s (or two), the fleet was reluctant to leave! Still, they knew that chocolate brownies and a much needed cup of tea was to be had at hosts number three, John and Carol Hackman, just around the corner on the Bucklers Hard Reach. So, they all merrily climbed back in their boats and enjoyed their tea before setting sail again to Gilbury jetty, ‘point’number four, where Ken and Jo Robinson and Kate Agius were waiting for them with ice creams for all. Apparently, the white almond version was the most popular!
At last the sun came out and the crews had a glorious sail/ motor back down the river to Needs Ore where Dan Snow, Guy and Oscar Heeley and James Gayner were busy behind the Barbecues cooking up a mountain of delicious sausages with Lizzie Anders and her team serving more Pimm’s – what a party in a wonderful Needs Ore evening. Dan Snow gave a perfect ‘to the point’ few words about the RNLI and their work and a totally unexpected vote of thanks (and flowers) for me!
It is here that I have so many of our wonderful membership to THANK for supporting this idea and coming up trumps for the RNLI in their 200th anniversary year. Firstly, our HOSTS, Gilles and Innes Graham, Keith and Maureen Mills, John and Carol Hackman, Ken and Jo Robinson and Kate Agius. We couldn’t have done it without them and their generosity!
Thanks to Ross McGinn who did a superb job on the invitation and pre-logistics and Charlie Bubear for setting up the BBQ team.
Then all the kind helpers at each jetty including Gerard Downes, Adrienne Page, Caroline Maiden, James Gayner, Charlie and Claire from Mariners Quay, Sara Steele and Maria Stratton. The safety boat drivers including Ian Strathcarron, Peter Bettridge, Robert Gayner and Richard Collin, also the ribs that were taking part for keeping an eye on the fleet. Back at Needs Ore, our glasses were never empty thanks to Lizzie’s team of Peter and Angela Hayward-Broomfield and Davina Downes and of course, the brilliant BBQ team! Here we can’t leave out Victoria and Edward Bonham Carter who filled in all the gaps in the plan including finding a gas canister for the Gas BBQ from Mike at the Coast Guard Cottages at the last minute when ours ran out! A huge and massive thanks to everyone for your help.
Also, a huge and massive thanks for your donations, totals of which are as follows;
The collecting buckets at the points and other donations totalled £732.77
The Sumup console at Mariners Quay totalled £161.00 before it ran out of batteries!
The Just Giving online link is currently at £2368.00. This will remain open for a few weeks yet. https://d.docs.live.net/e9fab7fbeacca61b/Ginna’s%20Documents/BRSC/Point%20to%20point%20link.docx
The BRSC will be able to give the RNLI over £3000 which is a great result for which they will be most grateful. A very successful end to a successful day! Please follow this link to view the photos : https://brsc.site/photos/
Ginna Gayner