Royal date for Longhope Lifeboat coxswain

Longhope Lifeboat coxswain Kevin Kirkpatrick is due to be in London this weekend, as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Kevin said that he was “honoured to be invited” to take part in the event, which will see him on board the Eastbourne Tamar-class lifeboat on the River Thames.

The charity’s new lifeboat, Diamond Jubilee, will be one of 1,000 vessels making their way along the River Thames on Sunday, June 3, to celebrate The Queen’s 60-year reign. The pageant is set to be the largest flotilla in modern times on the river, with boats of all shapes and sizes stretching for an estimated 12.5 miles.

Among the select few on board the Diamond Jubilee will be crew who will represent the different countries and islands of the British Isles where the RNLI saves lives at sea, with Kevin invited to represent Scotland.

Meanwhile, The Queen and other members of the Royal Family will be on board the Royal Barge, The Spirit of Chartwell, as the focal point of the flotilla.