Peter Beales Roses and RNLI mark 200 years with Blue Peter icons and rose debut at RHS Chelsea
In a tribute to a legacy of courage, Peter Beales Roses and the RNLI have come together to commemorate 200 years of service and dedication at this year’s RHS Chelsea (20 – 25th May).
The launch of the new ‘With Courage’ rose will take place on Monday Press Day (20th May) with several iconic faces from Blue Peter who are synonymous with both British institutions with the ‘Lifeboat Appeal’
Peter Beales Roses, renowned for their exquisite blooms and timeless beauty, have long been a symbol of resilience and strength, much like the brave men and women of the RNLI who risk their lives to save others at sea.
And with the 200th anniversary of the RNLI taking place this year, Peter Beales is proud to launch ‘With Courage’ a carefully bred rose to reflect the spirit of courage and dedication exemplified by the RNLI, which serves as a lasting tribute to their noble mission.
The launch of ‘With Courage’ will see well-loved Blue Peter presenters on the Peter Beales stand, adding an extra layer of meaning to the celebration.
Blue Peter has been a longstanding supporter of the RNLI, emphasising the importance of courage, resilience, and community spirit. Confirmed to attend so far are favourites, Valerie Singleton who was responsible for the first Lifeboat Appeal in 1967, Janet Ellis, Lindsey Russell and Anthea Turner.
‘With Courage’ is a modern classic floribunda, featuring coppery orange double flowers set against glossy mid-green foliage. The rose is compact and reaches a height of 3 feet and releases a delightful apple fragrance.
The rose took six years to come to market, ensuring it meets the demands of modern gardens. With 20% of all sales benefiting the RNLI, sales of ‘With Courage’ are projected to raise £40,000 for the charity.
It will take centre stage on the Peter Beales stand, along with a real RNLI rib, surrounded by thousands of a sea of the most popular rose varieties.
The exhibit will be at the beating heart of the Grand Pavilion, spanning an incredible 100 square metres with walkthrough access so visitors can surround themselves with the beautiful display and scent of the nation’s favourite flower.
The instantly recognisable rose-covered arches will welcome guests to the fragrant and sensory display which will encourage you to linger and enjoy the beauty of the flowers.
As well as ‘With Courage,’ multiple coloured and scented varieties will come together in a breathtaking display, each reaching their height, and exhibited in different ways to showcase the vibrant blooms.
Marvel at the arches adorned with the deep crimson ‘Chevy Chase,’ the enchanting pure white ‘Rambling Rector,’ and the delightful ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk,’ as well as the majestic ‘Waterloo.’ Step further into the immersive display to encounter special varieties like ‘Rachel’s Joy,’ ‘Highgrove,’ ‘Loyal Companion,’ ‘MacMillan Nurse,’ and ‘Pippin,’ each a living tribute to Peter Beales’ legacy.
Experience the enchantment of old historical roses such as ‘Comte de Chambord,’ ‘White Pet,’ and the striking ‘Rosa Mundi.’ Obelisks stand tall, proudly presenting the ‘Siluetta’ range of patio climbers alongside the captivating ‘Purple Skyliner.’
With both Peter Beales and RNLI representatives on the stand, those visiting will have the opportunity to learn more about the RNLI’s life-saving missions and Peter Beales Roses’ rich heritage in rose breeding and cultivation.
Actor and RNLI Ambassador Joanna Scanlon will also be on hand to speak about her experiences in open-water swimming and why the charity’s advice and help are so important.
Spectacular new charity bloom and lifesaving-themed Great Pavilion display will commemorate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary in style at the world-famous flower show
Leading grower Peter Beales Roses will unveil Rosa ‘With Courage’ at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May – an exquisite new bloom that’s poised to raise more than £40,000 to help support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
The spectacular rose marks the start of a touching new collaboration between Peter Beales Roses and the RNLI and will commemorate the charity’s 200th anniversary with a breath-taking floral showcase that will grace Chelsea’s Great Pavilion.
Peter Beales Roses – a 28 times RHS Chelsea gold medal winner – and the leading lifesaving charity are bursting with excitement to debut their new alliance at RHS Chelsea, presenting a display that not only celebrates the exquisite allure of roses but also pays homage to the extraordinary efforts of the RNLI and its valiant volunteers who, together, have saved over 144,00 lives since the charity’s formation in 1824.
Rosa ‘With Courage’ is a modern classic floribunda, bred to reward the nation’s gardeners with an abundance of beautiful coppery orange double flowers set against mid-green glossy foliage.
Free-flowering, compact and growing to 3ft tall, peachy pink tones add charm to outer petals which display yellow accents at their base, while a sweet apple scent fills the summertime breeze with delightful fragrance. Having performed spectacularly during Peter Beales’ own field trials, the ‘With Courage’ rose has taken six years to come to market to ensure it can more than meet the demands of modern gardens.
For Ian Limmer, head of the nursery and plant breeding programme at Peter Beales Roses, the launch of the high-profile rose is personal, because his grandad spent 30 years serving as a volunteer for the RNLI and saved over 160 lives.
Ian said: “In my mind, the colour of the rose reflects the orange of the RNLI’s boats while the yellow is reminiscent of the colour of the uniform. Gardeners who grow the rose will be supporting the RNLI and its flowers will be a constant reminder in the garden of the life-saving work that volunteers do.”
Ideal for growing in all parts of the garden including borders or containers, in sun or part-shade, ‘With Courage’ is a superbly healthy and highly versatile new rose, that boasts exceptional resilience to summer heat and shrugs off winter cold. What’s more it will happily withstand temperatures as low as -10C, whilst blooms last well when cut for the vase, too.
Set to be the talk of RHS Chelsea 2024, 20% of proceeds from sales of the rose will help to support the indispensable resources that the RNLI needs to survive, including crew, kit and lifeboats.
Developed in Britain, the extraordinary plant embodies the fearless commitment of RNLI volunteers who have been saving lives at sea for two decades, from the times of wooden lifeboats with oars and sails to the motor-powered, all-weather lifeboats they have now, complete with state-of-the-art technology and communications.
Celebrating a flourishing new partnership
At the heart of Chelsea’s Great Pavilion and spanning over 100 square metres, a breathtaking display will unfold, showcasing the partnership between Peter Beales Roses and the RNLI in a truly spectacular fashion.
Central to this display will be a real RNLI rib, surrounded by thousands of Peter Beales’ most stunning roses. Designed to evoke the iconic image of a lifeboat launching from its house, a sight synonymous with the RNLI, this floral masterpiece will capture the essence of the partnership’s commitment to saving lives and protecting communities and is set to be a major highlight of the show, offering countless photo opportunities for Instagram enthusiasts and plant-loving visitors.
Ian Limmer expressed his excitement: “The RNLI’s 200th anniversary is a testament to their unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea. It is an immense honour to stand alongside one of the UK’s oldest charities as partners during this historic milestone and we feel truly blessed that, of all the exhibitors at RHS Chelsea, the RNLI chose us to partner with.
“The unveiling of the garden, with its centrepiece lifeboat alive with roses, will be a truly magical moment. As the world watches, we hope to not only captivate visitors with the beauty of our display but also to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the vital work of the RNLI. This partnership is a celebration of resilience, strength, and the enduring spirit of humanity, and we are proud to be a part of it.”
Peter Beales Roses is striving for its 29th RHS Chelsea gold medal at this year’s show, which will run from May 21st to May 25th at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.
The Peter Beales Roses and RNLI display can be found in the Great Pavilion. Available to order from April, a limited number of ‘With Courage’ roses will be available at Chelsea, with more plants available as bare-root from November. It’s priced at £26.95 for bare-root and £31.95 in containers.
Visit the website for more information about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and to register for tickets.
Peter er Beales Roses can be found on London Road, Attleborough, Norfolk, where you can view its two-acre rose garden, historic rose collection, garden centre, and an unrivalled programme of workshops and rose events.
TODAY (Monday 4 March 2024) the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will celebrate 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by public donations.
On the day the charity turns 200, the RNLI is revealing its volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved an incredible 146,277 lives during its two centuries of lifesaving.
Since the charity was founded in 1824, its volunteer crews have launched the lifeboats 380,328 times, saving 144,277 lives, while its lifeguards – who became part of the RNLI’s lifesaving service in 2001 – have responded to 303,030 incidents on some of the UK’s busiest beaches, saving 2,000 lives*. In total, 146,277 lives have been saved by the RNLI – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.
Founded in a London tavern on 4 March 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has continued saving lives at sea throughout the tests of its history, including tragic disasters, funding challenges and two World Wars.
Two centuries have seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers – from the early oar-powered vessels to today’s technology-packed boats, which are now built in-house by the charity; and from the rudimentary cork lifejackets of the 1850s to the full protective kit each crew member is now issued with.
The RNLI’s lifesaving reach and remit has also developed over the course of 200 years. Today, it operates 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, including four on the River Thames, and has seasonal lifeguards on over 240 lifeguarded beaches around the UK. It designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes.
While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.
RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, says: ‘It has been an honour and a privilege to be at the helm of the RNLI for the past five years, and to see the charity reach its bicentenary.
“For a charity to have survived 200 years based on the time and commitment of volunteers, and the sheer generosity of the public donating to fund it, is truly remarkable. It is through the courage and dedication of its incredible people that the RNLI has survived the tests of time, including tragic losses, funding challenges, two World Wars and, more recently, a global pandemic.
‘Today, we mark the bicentenary of the RNLI. We remember the achievements and commitment of all those who have been part of the RNLI family over the past two centuries; we celebrate the world-class lifesaving service we provide today, based on our 200 years of learning, expertise and innovation, and we hope to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters who will take the RNLI into its next century and beyond.
‘I am immensely grateful to everyone who is involved with the charity – our volunteers, supporters and staff. This is our watch and it is our role to keep our charity safe and secure so it can continue to save lives into the future, as we strive in our vision to save every one.’
RNLI Heritage Archive and Research Manager, Hayley Whiting, says: ‘The RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary, witnessed the treacherous nature of the sea first-hand when living on the Isle of Man and he wanted to take action.
“His first appeal to the nation in 1823 did not have the desired result but, thankfully, he persevered and gained the support of several philanthropic members of society, who put their names to the charity at a meeting in the City of London Tavern on 4 March 1824.
‘Twelve resolutions were passed at that meeting, the core of which still stand as part of the RNLI’s Charter 200 years later. This shows how the RNLI’s values and purpose have remained unwavering for 200 years, despite the social and economic changes and challenges of the past two centuries.
‘Hillary’s vision was ambitious and forward-thinking, and no doubt he would be extremely proud to see the charity he founded still going strong today, and to see how much it has achieved.’
The charity has a history of innovation, and adapting to challenging circumstances, such as:
· Lifejackets: In 1861, Whitby lifeboat crew launched six times to rescue stricken vessels in a storm, but on their sixth launch a freak wave capsized the lifeboat and all but one of the crew were lost. The sole survivor was Henry Freeman, who survived because he was wearing a new design of cork lifejacket. After this event, the cork lifejacket became more widely adopted by lifeboat crews.
· Fundraising: In 1886, 27 lifeboat crew members from Southport and St Annes lost their lives while trying to rescue the crew of the Mexico. A public appeal was launched, driven by local man Charles Macara. An 1891 appeal raised £10,000 in two weeks. On 1 October, Charles and his wife Marion organised the first Lifeboat Saturday. Bands, floats and lifeboats paraded through the streets of Manchester, followed by volunteers collecting money. More than £5,000 was taken on the day, which was the first recorded example of a charity street collection.
· Lifeboats: In 1914, over 140 people were saved when the hospital steamship Rohilla was wrecked. The ship had been en route to Dunkirk to help wounded soldiers but was broken up when it ran aground on rocks near Whitby. Five lifeboats battled terrible seas to reach the ship. A motor lifeboat (the first of its kind) from Tynemouth, took the last 50 people on board. In total, 144 people were saved by the crews, who worked for over 50 hours in atrocious conditions. The motor lifeboat proved its capabilities and became more widely accepted by lifeboat crews after this event.
· Wartime: When the First World War broke out, many lifeboat volunteers were called away to fight. The average age of lifeboat crews at home increased to over 50. During 1914-18, RNLI lifeboats launched 1,808 times, saving 5,332 lives. In 1939, young lifeboat volunteers were called away again to war. By the end of the Second World War, RNLI crews had saved 6,376 lives around the coasts of Britain and Ireland.
In 1940, 19 RNLI lifeboats were used to evacuate troops from Dunkirk. Two had RNLI crews onboard, while the others were crewed by the Royal Navy. The lifeboats and their stand-in crews saved thousands of lives while being shelled and bombed for days.
Throughout its bicentenary year, the charity is running events and activities to remember its important history and celebrate the modern lifesaving service it is today, while hoping to inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters.
A Service of Thanksgiving to mark 200 years of the RNLI will take place at Westminster Abbey this morning (4 March 2024) at 11.30am.
It will be attended by representatives from RNLI lifesaving communities around the UK and Ireland.
For further information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.
RNLI & SCOTMID LAUNCH ART COMPETITION TO CELEBRATE 200 YEARS OF THE RNLI
Scotmid and RNLI are inviting young artists across Edinburgh to let their imaginations set sail ahead of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary.
Scotmid, in partnership with RNLI, has launched a nationwide competition for U18s to design the front cover of its magazine, Jigsaw, and asking them to create an image which they feel encapsulates the RNLI’s legacy, as it celebrates two centuries of heroic rescues and dedicated volunteering.
The competition launch is celebrating Scotmid’s charity partnership with RNLI, which got underway last year and will run until August 2024.
Budding artists are invited to design a front cover that highlights the spirit of the RNLI’s work over the years within its communities, emphasising elements of inspiration, courage, and community spirit. The winning design will reach thousands of Scotmid members. In addition, the winner will receive an exclusive package of RNLI prizes.
Entry details are as follows:
Who Can Enter: Anyone aged 18 years and under.
The Theme: Artwork that embodies the spirit of the RNLI and its 200 years of brave, life-saving endeavours. The RNLI values are selflessness, courage, dependability and trustworthiness
Deadline for Entries: Make sure your masterpieces are submitted to Scotmid by 19 April 2024.
Submission Guidelines: Send your artwork to competition@scotmid.co.uk or by post to the Scotmid Membership Team, Hillwood House, Harvest Drive, Newbridge, EH28 8QJ. If you email a submission, keep the original in a safe place in case you win!
Kirsty Connell, Membership and Community Manager at Scotmid, said: “This competition is a wonderful way to commemorate such a huge milestone for the RNLI and our shared commitment to our communities.
“Partnering with the RNLI has been a privilege, as their tireless efforts serve as a lifeline. We’re excited to provide young artists a platform to express their creativity and honour the invaluable work of RNLI volunteers.”
Paul McKeown, Fundraising and Partnership Lead for the RNLI in Scotland, said: “What a fantastic way for young people to showcase their creativity and join us in celebrating this significant milestone.
“We eagerly anticipate seeing the entries and appreciate Scotmid’s support and dedication to our cause.”
Funds raised over the course of the charity partnership will enable the RNLI to purchase a new Atlantic 85 lifeboat, which will form part of its relief fleet and will be used by stations to assist in critical rescues during times when vessels are undergoing repairs or maintenance.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is working with the RNLI to test the use of a new Emergency Response Drone Pilot rescue service which they have developed with Eagle Eye Innovations (EEI).
The drones, manufactured by Swell Pro, are waterproof and capable of improving observation of people in the water, broadcasting pre-recorded and live messages via a Tannoy system, and have the potential to deploy lifesaving items such as inflatable buoys.
To test the use of the drones as part of an operational lifeguard service, the RLSS UK is working with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), to trial their use at Crantock Beach in Newquay.
Peter Dawes, RNLI Lifeguard Operations Manager, said, “The River Gannel that runs through the middle of Crantock Beach and, particularly at low tide, makes access across the broad expanse of beach and to the water’s edge difficult for our patrol vehicles.
“The drone will allow the lifeguards to undertake rapid observations across a wide area, and the integrated speaker system allows the lifeguards to help inform and give proactive safety advice to the public.
“RNLI lifeguards play a vital role in keeping the public safe when they are visiting the beach. We welcome the opportunity to be part of the RLSS UK’s trial and help them develop this lifesaving equipment within an operational beach set-up.”
Robert Gofton, CEO at RLSS UK said, “We are excited to see how this trial develops drones becoming a piece of equipment to support the lifeguards of the future.
“Drones have been around for a while, and we are constantly looking for ways to use their capabilities in helping to keep people safe on our very busy beaches.”
Tim Mitchell, Head of Academy for EEI, said, “As one of the UK’s leading drone training organisations, it was a natural fit to build a training programme with the Royal Life Saving Society UK which is the leader in beach lifeguard training.
“Working with the RNLI will give a real opportunity to see how the capabilities of the drone can help meet the RNLI’s mission of saving lives at sea.”
This summer, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has teamed up with Swim England to offer children aged 7 – 14 the opportunity to learn lifesaving water safety skills.
Last year, the RNLI in Scotland saw 267,191 visitors on the lifesaving charity’s eight lifeguarded beaches and expect that number to increase this summer.
Local delivery partners around the UK supported by the national governing body for swimming in England and the RNLI are running free Swim Safe sessions to teach children aged 7-14 how to stay safe in and around open water and what to do if they, or someone else, gets in difficulty – including how to Float to Live.
Since 2013, the Swim Safe programme has delivered free lifesaving sessions to more than 148,000 children across the UK.
Run by local partners with qualified lifeguards and instructors in four locations in Scotland in July and September, the sessions provide children with both water safety advice on land and in-water tuitions.
Iona Hamilton, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor and Swim Safe Co-ordinator, said: ‘Last summer, RNLI lifeguards aided nearly 400 people across the eight beaches in Scotland. By educating children about water safety from a young age, together we can help reduce the number of incidents around our coasts.
‘Swim Safe is a great way for young people to learn about the different dangers associated with open water swimming in a safe and fun environment with qualified instructors and lifeguards.
‘We want children and parents to enjoy the beautiful beaches around Scotland but also to consider their own safety and know what to do in an emergency.’
As part of the session, participants will have the opportunity put into practice the vital message of ‘Float to Live’, which could save the lives of them or other.
This is a simple technique where you lean on your back and use your arms and legs to stay afloat. It allows you to control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety and is proven to save lives.
The RNLI’s key water safety advice for 7-14 year-olds is:
Stop and think – Always swim in a safe place.
Stay together – Always swim with an adult, younger children should always be within arms reach.
Float – If you find yourself in trouble in the water, float on your back like a starfish.
Call 999 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard.
To find out more or to sign up for a RNLI Swim Safe session, visit:
– Kärcher UK announces four-year partnership with the RNLI, together supporting the RNLI’s aim of helping to prevent drowning –
Clean art has been pressure washed onto the wall of Brighton Marina, displaying a vital lifesaving message to remind the public to ‘Float To Live’ if they find themselves in difficulty in the water.
With many still stay-cationing in the UK, Kärcher UK has created the large-scale art to support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) by reminding people of this important lifesaving method. Using high-pressure cleaners, the message was etched onto the Brighton Marina sea wall by removing layers of dirt, which had been built up over half a century.
As part of a new four-year partnership with the RNLI, Kärcher are committed to supporting the charity’s drowning prevention mission by raising awareness and sharing water safety messaging. It comes as huge numbers of people headed to the coast this summer and increased demand on the RNLI’s volunteer crew and lifeguards.
Kärcher will supply its cleaning equipment to every one of the RNLI’s 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland. This will include professional grade pressure washers and other important cleaning appliances to support with vital maintenance at every lifeboat station.
In 2020 alone, RNLI lifesavers saved 349 lives and helped over 33,546 people. That’s almost one life saved every single day. The charity also reported 42 lifeboat launches per day over the summer period, which is almost double the number launched throughout the rest of the year.
To remind members of the public of how to ‘Float to Live’, the pair have also collaborated on a short film, featuring crew at Selsey Lifeboat Station talking about the vital services the RNLI provide: – https://youtu.be/PcTXcf4qGdE
The RNLI advises that if you find yourself in difficulty in the water, the five steps to follow are:
§ Fight your instinct to thrash around
§ Lean back, extend your arms and legs
§ If you need to, gently move them around to help you float
§ Float until you can control your breathing
§ Only then, call for help or swim to safety
As well as providing cleaning equipment, Kärcher are supporting the partnership by running a number of fundraising activities and sales promotions throughout the partnership to raise vital funds to help the RNLI continue saving lives at sea.
Rob Archibald, RNLI Coxswain at Selsey, the first lifeboat station to receive equipment from Kärcher as part of the partnership, said: “Kärcher’s equipment will really improve the cleaning regime we undertake at the lifeboat station. Every time the lifeboat returns to station following a launch for exercise or after responding to an emergency, station volunteers will wash down and clean the lifeboat.
“Kärcher’s equipment will make this process considerably quicker, to allow volunteers to clean areas previously inaccessible and make it a less tiring task. Maintaining and cleaning the equipment and lifeboat station is important to keep it in the best condition possible and ensures we are ready at all times to save lives at sea.”
John Payne, Director for Lifesaving Operations at the RNLI, said: “The RNLI is delighted to announce this partnership with Kärcher, a highly respected and trusted company.
“Through this new alliance, they will help us to reach even more people with our water safety messaging, by supplying quality cleaning equipment to our crew. Kärcher’s efficient equipment will save RNLI volunteers’ time and continue to ensure lifeboats are ready to launch to those in trouble at sea.
“In addition to sharing our drowning prevention advice and supplying cleaning equipment, Karcher has pledged to generate income, fundraise for us and donate a percentage of sales via sales promotions throughout the partnership, for which we are extremely grateful.”
James Gordon, Kärcher Marketing Director, comments: “We are proud and honoured to be partnering with the RNLI, and supporting the vital work they do in saving lives at sea.
“We’re delighted that our equipment will play a role in keeping the boats and stations clean and ready for callouts at all times during the year. We hope that together over the next four years we can raise more awareness of sea safety – kicking it off in style with our clean art in Brighton!”
For more information on the partnership visit the Kärcher and RNLI social channels.
As part of our ongoing work with partner agencies to keep people safe in Edinburgh, Community Police Officers met with the RNLI yesterday to deliver a water safety event at Portobello Beach.
During the day we spoke to a large amount of beach visitors and local businesses about beach safety and how to stay safe on our coastline.
We also had the pleasure of meeting the Keep Porty Tidy lobster!
See below for some safety tips from RNLI and HM Coastguard on how to stay safe this summer:
#FloatToLive – if you find yourself in difficulty in the waterIf you fall into the water, fight your instinct to thrash around
Lean back, extend your arms and legsIf you need to, gently move them around to help you float.
Float until you can control your breathing
Only then, call for help or swim to safety.
If you are using Stand-Up Paddle Boards (SUP):
Check the water and tides before you go, if in doubt, don’t go out.Take a fully charged phone in a waterproof pouch so you can call for help if you need it.
Be equipped – wear the right gear including a flotation aid and leash.
Please don’t use inflatables at our coast, they are not designed for open water. They will quickly drift out to sea, along with those on them.
If you do choose to use them, please make sure that they are properly secured and very closely supervised. If you do get blown out to sea, stay in your inflatable and call for help.
If you get into trouble in the water or coast, don’t wait, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and they will send help. FAST.
