Express & Echo (City & East Devon Edition)
Trail celebrates town’s RNLI coxswains from the last 15 years
THE RNLI200 Yellow Welly Trail was launched in Exmouth last week to honour the 15 coxswains of Exmouth RNLI from 1859 to the present day.
Families of former coxswains, holding photos of their loved ones, gathered at the start of the trail. They were joined by Exmouth RNLI’s current volunteer coxswain and other volunteers.
A yellow ribbon was cut by Natalie O’Donnell, a descendant of Edward Tupman, the first coxswain who served from 1859 to 1880.
Each welly along the free Welly Trail carries the name of a coxswain and a QR code linking to information about him and Exmouth RNLI at the time he served.
It has been made possible by sponsorship from the local community.
Exmouth Mayor Olly Davey said: “Exmouth has a proud history of supporting RNLI over the decades, as its volunteers have responded to damaged vessels and individuals at risk of drowning as they encounter difficulties at sea.”
Exmouth RNLI volunteer fundraising chair Des White added: “The Yellow Welly Trail is a wonderful way for residents and visitors to find out more about the contribution of the volunteer coxswains and their colleagues, who put their own lives at risk to rescue so many people in often very challenging conditions.”
Free Welly Trail maps are available from Exmouth Lifeboat Station and from the sponsors. They include a quiz, and all who complete it will be awarded a certificate and momento at Exmouth RNLI shop at the Lifeboat Station.
The trail is approximately 2.4 miles (4km) long. Organisers say it doesn’t have to be done all on the same day, and there are no hills.
The wellies have been designed and painted by local street artist Garf.