Located in Hoylake’s former Victorian lifeboat station, the Lifeboat Museum will include:

The Victorian lifeboat Chapman last to serve on nearby Hilbre Island

A second local lifeboat, Thomas Corbett, now back in Hoylake where she is to be restored and displayed

An extensive collection of lifeboat models and photographs, many rarely seen, recollections and recordings

Hoylake lifeboats were horse-drawn until the arrival of the world’s first lifeboat tractor in the 1920’s

To commemorate the heroism and dedication of generations of our local lifeboat crews, we are

opening a unique Lifeboat Museum in Hoylake in August this year.

200 YEARS OF HISTORY

To fully develop the Museum to include a quality cafeteria, toilet facilities and an exhibition room, we are launching an Appeal. Over the course of the next 3 to 5 years, we hope to raise up to £400,000 to secure the Museum’s future, build and enhance the collection and breathe fresh life into Hoylake’s beautiful, Victorian promenade.

Why a Lifeboat Museum in Hoylake?The saving of lives at sea was pioneered in the waters off Liverpool by the Dock Board Trustees who, as far back as 1776, established the world’s first lifeboat station at Formby Point. Hoylake followed in 1803 as a network of lifeboat stations was set up, including the Port of Liverpool, Magazines near New Brighton and Hilbre Island.

Hoylake fishermen sailed a large fishing fleet and knew Liverpool Bay well. They crewed not only Hoylake and Hilbre lifeboats but were also sent to other stations. In 1857 both the Rhyl and Point of Air lifeboats had Hoylake coxswains.

How might the Museum finally look?However we develop the Museum, community support and involvement are vital. We do hope to adopt land adjoining the Museum and return it to its former Edwardian glory, with tasteful facilities for the enjoyment of local people and increasing numbers of visitors.

What will the Museum seek to achieve?For local people, we hope to provide a focal point for recollections and personal histories, visitors we hope to fascinate, educate and entertain.

We intend working closely with schools so that young people from far and wide can learn about the history of lifesaving in this area, how people lived and, sometimes, how they died.

We plan to provide training in boat restoration and marine skills as well as the opportunity to sail a classic lifeboat.

HOW CAN I HELP WITH THE APPEAL?Please join the Friends of Hoylake Lifeboat Museum by completing and returning the attached form.

Donations to the Appeal, cheques or postal orders made out to Hoylake Lifeboat Museum, should be sent to: Hoylake Lifeboat Museum Appeal, 15 North Parade, Hoylake, Wirral CH47 2AL

To enable the Museum to benefit from Gift Aid, could UK tax-payers please include their name and home postcode.

Thank you for taking time to read this leaflet. Further information can be found on our website.

Hoylake crewmen with Hilbre Island lifeboat “Admiral Briggs”, circa 1895