Derbyshire’s talented trio of boat builders make £500 RNLI donation at Matlock parade
The creative trio heaped praise on the ‘invaluable’ RNLI for letting them board the original Shannon boat, and be inspired by it
A Derbyshire based creative collective of boat makers has raised money for RNLI.
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Pete Hartshorn, Christine Dence and Richard Wood are the Motley Bunch from Matlock.
Inspired by The Shannon lifeboat at Invergordon, Scotland, the talented trio built their own version and created a light festooned avatar.
The ‘light boat’ version of the lifeboat can now be seen as part of the Matlock Bath boat parade that forms part of the illuminations.
To celebrate the Motley Bunch’s light boat creation and bolster the special relationship between them, a representative from Invergordon Lifeboat Station travelled 450 miles to Derbyshire.
Susan Veitch travelled with three friends to witness the parade and receive a £500 cheque for the RNLI at Invergordon on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
The light festooned model of The Shannon took part in the unique parade of decorated and illuminated boats on the River Derwent at Matlock Bath.
The Motley Bunch is part of the Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders' Association.
Speaking on behalf of the collective, Pete said: "It is an honour to support volunteers of the RNLI, who are there to take care of us when we venture to the coast.
“The RNLI at Invergordon kindly let us aboard their Shannon class boat to take photographs and these were invaluable in the construction of our model this year."
The Motley Bunch's Shannon is one of 11 floating crafts taking to the water as part of a spectacular river parade every weekend until the end of October.
It is a highlight of Matlock Bath Illuminations which is organised by Derbyshire Dales District Council.
For more information or to book tickets click here.