On Sunday 15th August, the UK’s only Lifeboat AND Mountain Rescue Training Centre will be opening its doors!

Beachley Lifeboat & Rescue Station Open Day will be held between 11:00 and 16:00. You will be able to see Lifeboats, Rescue Equipment and Vehicles including Sideshows, Rescue Displays and Competitions.

You can find the station by looking for NP16 7HH, located near Chepstow, right under the M48 Severn Bridge.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The winners of the Great SARA Duck Race held on the River Wye at Chepstow on Sunday July 4th were as follows:

The winners will be contacted direct by the organisers to arrange prize collection.

Over £800.00 was raised by the event and our thanks go to the organisers and the crew members who turned out to assist in this annual event.

Well done everyone.

SARA 3

The desperate need to raise the funds required to replace SARA 3 was highlighted in the first week of June as she was tasked to three shouts in 24 hours.

SARA was tasked to assist in the rescue of a stranded cow in the River Severn and to two separate incidents on the River Usk. This emphasises the need for an inflatable like SARA 3 on our waters. The public effort to raise money for the SARA 3 replacement has been amazing, but we still have lots left to raise.

If you would like to donate please send cheques to, “SARA 3 Replacement”, The Lifeboat Station, Beachley, NP16 7HH. Made payable to ‘Severn Area Rescue Association’.

Alternatively why not take part in the 200ft SARA abseil at the National Dive and Activity Centre on September 5th? For more information about the abseil visit the National Diving & Activity Centre website, read our news story or contact David Thompson.

SARA volunteers Dave Thompson and Victoria McKenzie with Jessica Gibbs from the Free Press and pupils at Pembroke primary school

SARA volunteers strongly believe that teaching local people about sea safety is one of the more important aspects of what we do. As the summer starts and the weather warms up there is a massive temptation to take a dip in either the River Severn or Wye, but SARA want to remind people that these waters are very dangerous. Throughout June SARA have been visiting local schools to speak to children about how to stay safe this summer.

On 11th June Dave Thompson and Vicky McKenzie went to Pembroke Primary School in Bulwark to present children with certificates of thanks for raising money to replace SARA 3. They also took SARA 3 and Mobile 1 with them and spoke to several classes about the dangers of the water.

The next day, on 12th June Mark Carwardine and Vicky McKenzie went to Offa’s Mead Primary School’s Summer fete in Sedbury with SARA 3 and Mobile 1. The children were given informal discussions about how to keep themselves safe while enjoying the summer weather.

On Saturday 19th June SARA Beachley held its 3rd Charity Dinner and Auction at the Old Ferry Inn, Beachley. It was a great success raising £2150, this is going in to the general running funds for SARA to help keep the Beachley Station running. The event could not be run and be such a success with out the kind support from Linda and Murry who own the Old Ferry Inn, they provide the lovely location as well as the food and assistance in selling tickets and ideas.

Also thanks to every one who donated prizes to be auctioned, there are too many to list here as we had over 50 items, as well as the raffle and sale table. The bidding was at times fast and furious and a good evening was had by all.

We would also like to say a big thank you to everyone that brought tickets and came along to support us. Last but not least a big thank you to the fundraising team that pulled it all together and have done the hard work. Lets hope we have a fourth success next year.