Billy's Back at Whitby Lifeboat Museum

Wednesday, 19 June 2024 11:03

By Matthew Pells

Whitby RNLI Lifeboat Museum curator, Neil Williamson, with the "RNLI Billy'

A 1960s model lifeboat man has been gifted to Whitby RNLI Lifeboat Museum.

Head to Whitby museum and you may spot this larger than life, lifeboat crew member... but he's no ordinary crew member, Billy is a lifelike model used back in the 1960s as a collecting aid.

Originally from Leeds, where he belonged to the Leeds Shoreline Branch, Billy was part of many displays at local galas and fetes and also made appearances at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.

He then moved on to Knaresborough and as part of the Knaresborough Ladies’ Lifeboat Guild’s fundraising activities he was always on display at events and the very popular and successful annual Gymkhana.

With the demise of the Knaresborough Guild Billy has spent the last 15 years stored in a garage owned by Knaresborough supporter Paula Letts. However, after all these years Paula felt it was only right that Billy should be returned to the RNLI and duly made arrangements with Whitby RNLI Museum.

Neil Williamson, Whitby RNLI Museum Curator and Whitby’s Coxswain Howard Fields met with Mr and Mrs Letts when they handed Billy over. Luckily he was transported in two halves as he stands over two meters tall!

It is thought that Billy was an offshoot of the fashion in the 1950-70s to have a life-size figure outside your High Street shop. Landers Butchers on Baxtergate, Whitby still have a model of a butcher similar to Billy in their shop.

The figures were often slightly larger than life and caught attention being out on the pavement (likely scaring or amusing small children equally). The earlier ones were plaster, later were of resin or GRP plastic.

Neil Williamson said:

'Billy has no makers name but he is marked with a Number 3 on him. Unfortunately the RNLI have no records about the commissioning of the ‘Billies’, but the question is are there still any other Billies in existence elsewhere? We'd love to hear from you if you know of any or even have an old photos of a Billy.'

Billy is presently at the Whitby Museum but longterm the RNLI’s Heritage Department would like to have Billy on display at the RNLI’s HQ at Poole.

Did you find this article useful?

This is the Coast is committed to providing a daily local news service for the Yorkshire Coast. We are a small locally owned and operated business which employs professional journalists and reporters. We do not receive any public funding or grants and we are entirely funded by our local commercial operations. We enjoy fabulous support from local businesses who work with us on their advertising and marketing campaigns, but the cost of providing high quality, well researched, fact checked local news coverage is significant.

If you appreciate what This is the Coast does, and would like to help support our journalism, please consider supporting us on a monthly basis today.

A small contribution from all our readers would really help support independent journalism for the Yorkshire Coast.

More from Yorkshire Coast News

Deputy Mayor- We Need Flood Funding for North Yorkshire

The high-ranking council official and colleagues in the fire service have been speaking to MPs to assist the county.
North Yorkshire Police To Expand Right Care Right Person Plan

North Yorkshire Police are expanding their right care right person initiative.
Scarborough Athletic Beaten at Promotion Chasers

Boro lost out at Scunthorpe, despite Harry Green's goal.
Whitby Town Win Six Pointer To Exit Bottom Four

The Blues gave themselves breathing space thanks to goals from Aaron Haswell and their midweek signing from Scarborough.
Yorkshire Coast Rugby- Scarborough Miss Opportunity

Scarborough RUFC suffered a rare loss on Saturday, but their nearest rivals in North East 2 were also beaten.
Brid Town Beaten In Thriller

The Seasiders remain in relegation trouble after a 3-2 loss in the North East.
Pickering Town March On After Fourth Win In Five

The Pikes are in great form and remain in contention for a play-off place.
North Yorkshire's "Most Difficult" Budget Approved

Councillors have approved North Yorkshire Council's budget for the next year which will see the maximum 4.99% increase to council tax bills.
New Site Proposed for Scalby School

Plans for a land deal with the Government to rebuild a Scarborough secondary school that was affected by crumbling concrete are set to be discussed.
Scarborough Sex Offender Jailed After Targeting Children Online

A Scarborough man who targeted children through social media for sexual gratification has been jailed.
Scarborough and Whitby Planners Approve Delay to High Mill Bridge Construction

The Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee has approved an amendment to the planning permission for the High Mill development, allowing a delay in the construction of a pedestrian and cycle bridge over Scalby Beck.
New Dementia Support Services Coming to Scarborough

Dementia Forward has announced plans for new dementia support initiatives in the Scarborough area.