Volunteers from Seaton, Beer and District Branch of the RNLI had a busy and successful time raising funds during the annual Beer Lifeboat Weekend.

On Saturday, July 1 volunteer held a street collection in the village, which raised just under £200. A table-top sale in the Mariners Hall,, including stalls, a raffle and card tombola, raised a further £650 for RNLI funds. Thanks go to Trevor and Jean Woods and Liz for cooking bacon baps.

The following day, the branch held at 16th annual duck race day in Beer. Fortunately, the weather was fine and the day included displays by Exmouth and Lyme Regis lifeboats, Beer coastguards and a sea safety stand from Dave Littlefield from Exmouth RNLI.

The crew of Lyme Regis lifeboat, led by helm Brian Street, came ashore and, due to the tide, were brought in to the beach by Simon Bartlett on his motorboat.

Mr Street then helped to start some of the duck races, with 12 rounds of 20 ducks racing down Beer brook from opposite the Dolphin Hotel to the Bay View Tea Rooms.

Duck number 18, which came second in heat one, went on to win the grand final and won a Tina Stokes print donated by Marine House at Beer for a Seaton resident.

There were almost 40 entries in the Colour in a Duck Poster Competition from the pupils of Beer Primary School. Branch committee member Ann Roberts chose the following winners: Class 1 - Rosalie, Class 2 - Lottie, and Class 3 - Emily.

The prizes for the winners were donated by Rock Villa off licence from Beer and Tesco Seaton, and all the children that entered received RNLI badges and gifts. 

The total amount raised on the day was £758.49.

Branch secretary Wendy Cummins said: "We give a big thank you to my son Alastair who does the very important job of duck catcher. Alastair also helps by putting up our big signs and our thanks also go to Stuart Morgan who transports our big duck sign up to the A3052 junction and return.

"Thank you to Stormy Stan for coming to our day plus Annette and family for doing the duck tombola and helping, plus Grant Miller from Bubbles Carnival Club who did the commentary for our event.

"Thank you to all the Beer and businesses in our area who sponsored our duck races, gave donations and prizes. A huge thank goes to our volunteers, those who made our weekend possible and everyone who came and supported our Beer Lifeboat Weekend."

Businesses who supported the events included: Anchor Inn, Barrel of Beer, Beer Fish and Chip Shop, Beer Bistro, Beer Quarry Caves, Beer Pharmacy, Beer Village Stores, Bessi Maes, Chapples Tea Hut, Chocolate and More, Cream Shop, Dolphin Hotel, Ducky's Beach Café, Ginas, Jimmy Green Marine (Fore Street), Kenno's Beach Café, Lyme Bay Winery, Marine House at Beer, North & Co, Pecorama, Rock Villa Off Licence, Seaton Tramway, Smugglers Kitchen, Steamers, Tesco Seaton, Tower Services, Umma Gumma, Woozies Deli.

The branch is now looking forward to attending the Natural Seaton Festival this weekend and then Whitford Summer Fair, Munchkins Summer Fair and the Seaton Carnival events.

They are still looking for additional volunteers for the RNLI shop in Beer and for street collections and fundraising events.

Anyone interested should visit the shop or email Wendy Cummins on [email protected]