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A special flowerbed has been planted at Howard Davis Park to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the RNLI and to honour the generations-long contributions of a local family to the lifeboat service.
The display, which features the RNLI flag and the words 'thanks for saving lives', was created by the park’s head gardener.
John Richards said he created the flowerbed, which features 14,500 plants and took a week to plant, as a tribute to his family's long-standing connection with the charity.
The gardener's great-grandfather, W.H. Glendewar, began volunteering with the RNLI at the age of 17 in 1897.
In 1919, he became the first coxswain of the William Henry Wilkinson lifeboat after returning from war service. He later helped to evacuate British soldiers from Brittany during World War II as part of an operation known as 'Jersey's Dunkirk'.
Mr Glendewar’s son-in-law, George Stapley, joined Jersey's lifeboat crew and was awarded a Bronze Medal in 1949 for his service. Mr Stapley also helped to prepare the St Helier lifeboat, Elizabeth Rippon, and built a model of the Howard D lifeboat which is currently in the Maritime Museum.
Mary Richards, Mr Stapley’s daughter, also received a long-service Bronze Medal after serving on the fundraising committee for 30 years. Her daughter, Tina, has continued this tradition, serving on the fundraising committee for over 20 years.
Michelle Cabot, Fundraising Chair of RNLI Jersey, said: “The Richards family has been a pillar of strength for RNLI Jersey over the generations.
"Their dedication, whether at sea or through fundraising, embodies the spirit of our mission to save lives.
"The beautiful floral tribute is a heartfelt reminder of our history and ongoing legacy."
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