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The RNLI 200 Yellow Welly Trail has been launched in Exmouth to honour the 15 coxswains of Exmouth RNLI from 1859 to the present day.
Families of former coxswains, holding photos of their coxswain relatives, gathered at the start of the trail, Welly 1, at Exmouth Tourist Information Centre. The launch party continued, to Welly 4, Franklins, The Strand, where Keito Graham, the 13th Exmouth RNLI voluntary coxswain, (1984-1998) cut a Welly shaped cake made by Launchpad, which is a social enterprise training adults with learning challenges in catering and hospitality, based at Seachange in Budleigh Salterton.
They were joined by Exmouth RNLI’s current volunteer coxswain and other RNLI volunteers.
A yellow ribbon was then cut by Natalie O’Donnell, 4 x granddaughter of Edward Tupman, the first coxswain who served from 1859 -1880.
Now it is ready, we hope locals and visitors enjoy the walk around Exmouth, following the trail and learning something of the towns maritime past and its links to the RNLI. Scan the QR code and its tells you about each one and Exmouth RNLI at the time he served.
The RNLI look forward to meeting participants as they complete the trail and then visit the Lifeboat Station!