Lytham St Annes RNLI prepares for 2026 Open Day marking 175 years of saving lives at sea

Lytham St Annes RNLI Lifeboat Station is preparing to welcome the public to its popular annual Open Day this Saturday, September 5, as the station marks 175 years of saving lives at sea.

The event will take place from 10.30am to 4.30pm at the All-weather Lifeboat House on South Promenade, FY8 1SJ, next to the swimming baths. All are welcome to attend and find out more about the work of the RNLI, with a packed programme of activities and entertainment planned throughout the day.

The event will also coincide with the St Annes Kite Festival, with flying displays taking place on the beach providing a colourful backdrop to the Open Day. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Lytham St Annes RNLI volunteers and view the station's two lifeboats — the All-weather Shannon class Lifeboat (ALB) Barbara Anne and the Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) MOAM.

Crew members will explain how the lifeboats operate, as well as the work involved in launching and recovering them, including the use of the station's launch and recovery vehicles and equipment.

There will also be live music throughout the day, featuring The Travelling Strings, the Lytham St Annes Shanty Crew, Roy Turner, Clive Marquis Carr and Matt Chadwick. By popular demand, Zumba Suzy’s zumba display team will also perform their routines and invite visitors to join in.

For families and visitors of all ages, there will be tombolas, games and entertainment throughout the day, all taking place against the backdrop of the Kite Festival on the beach. Those looking for something to eat and drink will also be catered for, with a BBQ, bar and cafe, as well as tea, coffee and cakes available.

A significant anniversary for the station

This year's Open Day comes during an important year in the history of Lytham St Annes RNLI, marking the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Lytham Lifeboat Station. It also marks 140 years since the worst disaster to befall the RNLI, when 27 lifeboatmen lost their lives in the Ribble Estuary in 1886.

The station is also continuing a project to commemorate its history through inscribed paving stones.

In 2024, as part of celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the RNLI, a row of pavers inscribed with the names of donors or their loved ones was installed outside the All-weather Lifeboat House on South Promenade. The pavers remain viewable at any time.

Following many requests, a second row of inscribed pavers is now being installed to commemorate the station's 175th anniversary. Members of the public will be able to order a commemorative paver during Saturday's Open Day, shortly before the project closes later this month.

Alison Young, Station secretary, said: “All are invited to come along on the 5th September for what will be an enjoyable day out,”