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Winter Update
Auctioned Painting Raises £11,000 for the RNLI
‘Salcombe Morning’ is an original painting donated by Steve Kenna, and commissioned by the RNLI to raise funds in a silent auction for its 200th anniversary.
After being exhibited during November, the winning bid was announced at a lunch held at the Harbour Beach Club in South Sands - Steve was delighted to hear the auction was won by a magnificent offer of £11,000 from The Baltic Exchange which will go to the RNLI.
“The painting was originally imagined as a representation of one of the Salcombe RNLI’s many heroic rescues, demonstrating the phenomenal commitment, sacrifice and energy of the crews on those call-outs”, says Steve. “We decided however to explore a less well documented, but equally important, ingredient of that commitment by capturing a scene which might hold clues to the day-to-day vigilance, attentiveness and readiness of all who are involved with the phenomenal success of the RNLI operation, even on the finest, still days. I hope to have captured just a little of this. It was both an honour and a pleasure to be invited to play a part in this incredible celebration of the RNLIs two hundredth year.”
‘Salcombe Morning’ 800x800mm Acrylic and Ink
Field of Light
We are thrilled to be welcoming the Global phenomenon ‘The Field of Light’ - an art installation by the internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, now resident in Salcombe this winter.
It truly is a must see event which is running daily right through to 10th January 2025.
20,000 light stems are placed across 3 fields opposite Salcombe creating the most beautiful display from dusk until 10pm each day and visible from many of the towns favourite spots including our very own Whinfield Gallery!
The big switch on happened on 5th October as part of a launch event. Fore street was closed and lined with local food and drink stalls in celebration, with the public able to view the spectacle along the whole of the Harbour front. Thank you to all those who made the event and celebrated with us all.
Artist Bruce Munro, who created the vision, grew up in Salcombe and has a huge affiliation with the area and in particular the RNLI. The installation has been donated to the local community to raise funds for the Lifeboats and volunteer crews.
To sponsor a light to help raise money to support the Salcombe RNLI, and for more information please visit:
200 years of the RNLI
For 200 years The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has been a beacon of hope, embodying the spirit of service and sacrifice and tirelessly patrolling the waters around the clock, regardless of the hostile weather conditions, to rescue those in peril. Their selfless volunteers, embody the spirit of service and sacrifice.
Since being founded in a London tavern on 4 March 1824, its volunteer crews have launched the lifeboats over 380,000 times, saving over 144,000 lives – an average of two lives every day for 200 years.
The RNLI is separate from coastguard, is independent of government and relies on volunteers and the generosity of it supporters to run its lifesaving service. It cost £191 million in 2023. Salcombe Lifeboat Station has 24 seagoing volunteer Crew and 14 volunteer Shore Crew and is on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
This commerative year is an opportunity to reflect on the the RNLI's legacy, and the countless lives that have been saved, families reunited, and communities strengthened by their extraordinary dedication.
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