The Bookseller in Church Street hosted a successful launch of a book celebrating 150th anniversary of lifeboats operating from Falmouth.

The launch was attended by the authors, Simon Culliford and David Barnicoat, together with the coxswain of Falmouth RNLI lifeboats John Blakeston, Brenda Grieve, RNLI fundraising secretary, members of the lifeboat crew, other volunteers from the lifeboat and Mr Johns, owner of Falmouth Bookseller.

Produced by Simon Culliford, Falmouth RNLI volunteer deputy lifeboat press officer and co-written with David Barnicoat, master mariner and retired Falmouth pilot, the book celebrates the people and the lifeboats that are part of the history of Falmouth Lifeboat Station.

All the station’s RNLI silver and bronze gallantry medal services are described as well as some of the more notable lifeboat launches including the Darlwyne disaster in 1966 and the Ben Asdale incident in 1978. Extensive use of photographs has been made throughout the book.

David said: ‘It is an honour for me to have contributed to this book in the 150th anniversary year. Many of the lifeboatmen mentioned in the book are known to me especially those from the 1950s and 1960s. I hope that Simon and I have done the Falmouth Lifeboat Station proud.’

Simon said: ‘Falmouth Lifeboat Station has an interesting and varied history and researching it has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I am grateful to David for agreeing to co-write the book with me and, like him, I hope that it is seen as fitting tribute to the selfless and dedicated Falmouth RNLI volunteers.’

Profits from the sale of the 208-page book will go to the Falmouth RNLI Appeal, launched in March of this year, to raise £100,000 towards the cost of alterations and improvements needed at the station to accommodate a new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat.

The book is available from the Falmouth Bookseller and the lifeboat shop in Tinners Walk, for £9.95.