AN EXPECTANT crowd gathered in the dark in Salcombe last week, for the unveiling of a new lifeboat feature on Union Street as part of the annual Christmas lights switch-on.

Members of the Salcombe Lifeboat crew were present for the first lighting up of the feature, modelled on the original Baltic Exchange lifeboat which operated out of Salcombe from 1962 until 1988. Appropriately, the Christmas lights were switched on by former mechanic and second coxswain on the Baltic Exchange, Edward Hannaford and his wife Sheila.

Salcombe’s new curate, Ruth Frampton, said a few words and gave a blessing before Edward and Sheila pressed the button to light up the town.

The Brownies then entertained the crowds with their enthusiastic and delightful singing.

A spokesperson for the Christmas Lights committee said: ‘We would like to thank the Brownies, together with Father Christmas who dropped by from the North Pole, staff from the Bakehouse who brought round delicious homemade mince pies, Nic T and his assistants and Dave and his team from the Fortescue who supplied the very nice punch!

‘Finally, the Christmas Lights Committee would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the public spirited individuals and businesses of the town for their very generous financial support, without which our Christmas Lights wouldn’t happen.’