Launch of Caister Lifeboat “Experience”
Caister Lifeboat - Credit: Archant
Children - and adults - will be able to dress up in waterproofs and man the lifeboat at a revamped visitor attraction.
That’s just one of the new things on offer at the Caister Lifeboat Experience.
The visitor attraction has been given a major overhaul - with many more hands-on things for people of all ages to do.
The independent Caister Lifeboat charity opens its doors on Sunday, March 29 at 10am, and a week later is inviting children to hunt for Easter Eggs.
Andrew Turner, the director who has overseen all the changes, said: “It’s been a mammoth task to update things, but we had to.
“A couple of years ago we did some feedback forms, and people told us there wasn’t enough for children to do, so that was the first thing we addressed.
“Our volunteers saw the disappointment in our visitors’ faces when they were told they couldn’t go aboard our vintage lifeboat, the Shirley Jean Adye, or turn the historic capstan which was used to haul the boat up the beach after a rescue.
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“Now they can, and we’ve changed several other things and made some interactive displays for everyone to have fun and explore our heritage.”
Mr Turner said he had many people and businesses to thank for their generosity, including Yarmouth Stores which tailored scrap lifeboat waterproof jackets and trousers to fit children, so they can dress up as lifeboat crew!
He added: “Being a charity, we’ve been trying to keep the cost of the changes low, but I’ve been overwhelmed at how many people and businesses have given us their time, expertise and materials either free or at discounted prices.
“And then, after all the work was done, several volunteers from HSBC Bank gave the place a good spring clean. It was amazing!”
The Caister Lifeboat Experience opens Sundays and Wednesdays from March 29, every Bank Holiday Monday, and Thursdays throughout the school summer holidays. There’s also a series of events, starting with an Easter Egg Hunt from Good Friday to Easter Monday.
Follow Caister Lifeboat on Facebook.
