Coffee Morning at Old Lifeboat House Raises £650 for Penlee Lifeboat

A Christmas coffee morning held in Penzance has raised £650 to support Penlee’s volunteer lifeboat crews.

On 21st December 2025, The Old Lifeboat House restaurant hosted the event in aid of Penlee Lifeboat. The money raised will help the RNLI’s volunteer crews continue saving lives at sea.

A Festive Morning with Generous Support

The coffee morning was described as having a unique Christmassy atmosphere, with strong support from those who attended. Jon Stephens said: “People who didn’t want a coffee at the time popped in and made a donation anyway.’

Donation Handed Over at the Lifeboat Station

On 12th January, Jon Stephens, Emily Stephens and Julia Boulton visited RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station to hand over the donation. They were welcomed by Coxswain Patch Harvey, who offered them a cup of tea and a look around the station’s Severn class lifeboat, Ivan Ellen.

A Brief History of the Lifeboat in Penzance

The first lifeboat in Cornwall was purchased in 1803, with part of the cost paid for by Lloyds of London. Its home moved several times, including a period at Wherrytown.

In 1884, a new boathouse was built at the foot of Jennings Street at a cost of £575 6s 6d. The single storey building was constructed from coursed Lamorna granite and funded by a £1,000 gift from Henry Martin Harvey of Hexworthy. This donation also paid for a new lifeboat, Dora, and its carriage.

The Penzance lifeboat later moved to Newlyn in 1908, before relocating to Penlee Point in 1913.