Blackpool set to say goodbye to 'RNLI legend' as funeral details announced

Blackpool is preparing to say goodbye to an "RNLI legend" who passed away last month after a short illness.

The family of the late Bernard Pickard have announced his funeral will take place on Friday, March 22.

The funeral cortege will initially make its way though Blackpool to arrive at the Blackpool RNLI Station on the Promenade for 1pm.

There he and his family will be met by the current and past crew volunteers, along with the wider RNLI volunteer family.

After a period of reflection on Bernard's staunch commitment to Blackpool RNLI, the funeral cortege will leave for Carleton Crematorium.

The service will be held at 2pm with Blackpool RNLI past and present crew volunteers providing the pallbearers.

As well as the RNLI members, the family will be joined by many of Bernard's work colleagues from his time working for British Rail on the Fylde Coast.

Bernard Pickard attended Arnold School in Blackpool before becoming a popular member of the British Rail work force on the Fylde Coast.

Bernard first became involved in Blackpool RNLI in 1969 as part of the shore crew, when the volunteer shore crew were known as sidesmen.

At that time, Blackpool Lifeboat Station was home to an all-weather lifeboat (ALB).

After the withdrawal of the ALB, and the move to focus Blackpool RNLI on inshore response, Bernard took on the role of Head Launcher.

He took charge of launch and recovery activities as well as being a dedicated driver of the launch vehicles, and he was a regular sight at the station next to Central Pier.

Over the next 50 years, and with the move to the new Central Promenade boathouse, Bernard continued to respond to the pager to assist with launching the lifeboats, all whilst working his full-time role with British Rail and his lifelong support for Blackpool Football Club.

Bernard also took on the role of volunteer administration officer, and from there came his reputation with statistics and the nickname ‘Statto’.

Even up to his passing and in the days he could not get to the lifeboat station, he would regularly call the station to obtain the callout details in order to update his 'little black book'.

Ian Butter, volunteer Chair of the Blackpool RNLI Lifeboat Management Group and Deputy Launch Authority, said: "Bernard has been a valued volunteer at Blackpool RNLI for over 50 years, with an incredible passion for all aspects of station activity.

"His knowledge, experience and attention to detail were appreciated by everyone and although in recent years he has not been able to attend the boathouse in person, he stayed 'on duty' from home, monitoring radio calls and logging information.

"Bernard was a friend and invaluable support to several generations of lifesaving crew at Blackpool and he will be greatly missed by us all. Fair winds and calm seas Bernard." The family request only family flowers at the funeral, and anyone wishing to make a donation in Bernard’s memory do so to the benefit of Blackpool RNLI.