Fireworks, ducks and rowing races: Bude’s Lifeboat Day returns

Clear a space in the diary for the last Monday of August, because Bude is about to get very busy for a very good cause. Bude-Stratton Town Council has released the full running order for the town’s Lifeboat Day, and it stretches from a mid-morning treasure hunt on the beach right through to fireworks over the canal after dark.

The whole event is built around raising money for Bude RNLI, and this year’s programme spreads the fun across five different parts of town at once, so there is very little chance of running out of things to do.

The lifeboat station and Summerleaze Beach

Things start early down at the coast. The Lifeboat Station is open for tours from 10am to 4pm, alongside a static display from the Bude Coastguard Rescue team. Hot pasties are on sale from 10am until they run out, there are kids’ treasure hunts on the beach at 10.30am and 1.30pm, and, conditions allowing, a Search and Rescue demonstration with Bude Lifeboat at 2.30pm.

Castle Grounds, Bude Light and the Parkhouse Centre

This is where the day’s centre of gravity sits. From 10am to 4pm there are refreshments, cream teas, pasties, an RNLI shop, tombola, face painting, an RNLI Face to Face team, a food court with pizza, fresh fries, Hannah’s Kitchen, The Split Bean and Abby’s Ice Cream Treats, plus charity stalls and games. A licensed bar runs from 11am to 9pm, the grand raffle is drawn at 4pm, and at 6.15pm the Bideford Youth Pipe Band play at Bude Light before marching to the canal for the duck race.

Two stages keep the music going most of the day. The Main Stage runs Bude Metric Brass Band, Elowen and Band, Barrel Seagals, Sirens Dreams, Charlie Clough, Beach Hutz and Not the Cowboys between 11am and 9pm. Barkhouse Green carries its own bill, starting with Bude Rock Choir at 11.30am and running through Barrel Morris Dancers, URBN Street Dance, a gymnastics display, the Bideford Youth Pipe Band, CJ’s Dance and Elowen, closing with Charlie Clough at 6.15pm.

The canal, Barkhouse Green and the wharf

Traditional rowing races for the Barnes Cup get underway on the canal from 10am (sign up at the Rowing Boat shed from 9.30am), with a licensed bar open from 11am to 9pm and Bacon Family Amusement Rides running from 10am to 8pm. Bude Canoe Club holds a canoe polo tournament from 11am to 6.30pm, and throughout the day there is a Bude Motor Club vintage car display, South West Truckers, a Swannacott Manor hog roast and barbecue, Launceston Voluntary First Aid Service on hand, and The Split Bean serving refreshments.

The Brendon Arms and the Falcon Hotel

Over at the Brendon Arms and the Falcon Hotel, the famous pasty competition kicks off at midday, followed by an auction. The Lifeboat Singers and Friends perform from 1.15pm to 2.15pm, a lobster draw is held at 2.30pm, and the Falcon hosts a live set from Friggin’ Riggin’ between 7pm and 9pm. Brendon Lawn keeps the singing going after the fireworks, from 9.30pm.

Fireworks, and a late finish on the canal

The Grand Firework Display, run by Kernow Fireworks and sponsored by the Brendon Arms and the Falcon Hotel, lights up the sky at 9.10pm and is visible from both the Castle Grounds and Brendon Lawn. Down on the water, the day finishes with the Rotary International Duck Race at the Canal Lower Basin at 6.30pm, sponsors including Bank Aston, Wooda, The Bazeley Partnership, The Bay View, Paul Finn Solicitors, LCH Vehicle Hire, Easyprint, Kivells, Morwenna Dental Care, JRD Plumbing Heating and Renewables, West Country Carpets, Diamond Home Support and Webb Electrical have all thrown their weight behind the day, and Bude-Stratton Town Council says more details and updates will follow on its own channels in the run-up to the 31st.

📷Credit: Bude-Stratton Town Council