AN RNLI volunteer from Bude has been recognised for his nearly 50 years of devotion to the charity.  

Jonathan Ball MBE, has been awarded a Certificate of Service to mark 47 years supporting the lifesaving charity.  

Jonathan served 27 years on the lifeboat crew in Bude, joining when the station was reopened in 1966. He retired from his volunteer role as senior helm on his 46th birthday in June 1993, being the ‘last of the first’ group of volunteers at Bude to retire from the inaugural crew.  

Following this, he went on to serve another 14 years as a volunteer deputy launch authority from 1993 to 2007 before he joined the RNLI council between 2007 and 2013.    

In total Jonathan’s service to the charity covered over 47 years. During his service at Bude, the lifeboat rescued 89 lives and within his time with the lifesaving organisation he made a significant contribution to the foundation of the RNLI lifeguard service in 2001. 

Alongside his operational roles, Jonathan has raised a substantial amount over the year’s most notably through his prominent position as the conductor of the Bude Lifeboat Singers through which lifelong friendships were made as they toured around the UK and Ireland.  

Jonathan was presented with the certificate by RNLI Chief Executive Mark Dowie at the station on St Mary’s when they were both visiting St Mary’s on the Isle of Scilly.   

Speaking about his time with the RNLI, Jonathan said: “What started back in 1966 in my joining the nascent Bude Lifeboat Crew as a desire to be of service to my community has been a lifetime enriching experience in every sense. 

“Joining the RNLI volunteer family in whatever capacity your skills and abilities may take you carries my unqualified commendation.”