Newquay RNLI’s Gareth Horner Retires After 52 Years’ Service

Fifty-two years. That’s how long one Newquay volunteer has been answering the call when lives are on the line off the Cornish coast. Today, on his 70th birthday, he’s finally putting the pager down.

Gareth Horner MBE is stepping back from his role as Lifeboat Operations Manager at Newquay RNLI, a position he has held for the past 21 years. He first joined the station as a volunteer back in 1974.

Five decades of service

During Gareth’s time at the station, Newquay RNLI has saved more than 100 lives, making it one of the busiest lifeboat stations in the country. He served on the inshore lifeboats for 27 years before becoming Lifeboat Operations Manager in 2005, a role that meant being available 24 hours a day as the first point of contact alongside the launching authorities whenever the Coastguard requested a launch.

Across his time at Newquay he has worn just about every hat going, serving as lifeboat crew, shore crew, launch authority and LOM.

Recognised at the highest level

In 1997 Gareth received The Thanks of the RNLI inscribed on Vellum for a rescue in the D class inshore lifeboat, when three people were saved after being cut off by the tide. The citation noted “very difficult conditions, with a fine display of teamwork between lifeboat, coastguard and helicopter”.

In June 2021 he was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours and made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contribution to saving lives at sea.

A new chapter, not a goodbye

Gareth isn’t leaving the station entirely. He is taking on a new role as Heritage Co-ordinator and has been made Honorary President.

The LOM role will now be shared by two of Newquay’s existing launch authorities, Ian Pengelly and Ann-Marie Dale, who according to the station know there are “some BIG wellys to fill”.

In a message to the volunteer crew thanking them for their support over the years, Gareth was met with praise, photos and shared memories from those he has served alongside. He hands his pager in today on his 70th birthday, looking forward to a quieter life ahead.