Frank receives accolade

Mr Frank Muirhead has been presented with an award by His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent KG.

Mr Frank Muirhead received his award from HRH The Duke of Kent in a special ceremony, along with many other volunteer fund-raisers and crew members from all over the UK and the Republic of Ireland at the Barbican Theatre, London. The ceremony coincided with the RNLI’s Annual General Meeting.

A Gold Badge was awarded to Mr Muirhead in recognition of over 30 years commitment to the charity that saves lives at sea. Very few people in the United Kingdom could match Frank’s service as crew member, fund-raiser and outstanding guardian of the Henry Blogg Museum. A coach of supporters travelled to London to cheer him onto the stage.

Frank has served on the all-weather lifeboat and the inshore lifeboat (ILB) at Cromer. He soon became Senior Helm of the ILB and received a “certificate of thanks” for his part in a rescue of two fishermen in 1981. The other crew members - Clive Rayment and Chris Craske were awarded a bronze medal and “certificate of thanks” respectively.

He spent 25 years as the Cromer crew’s social club secretary, helping to organise events like the annual crew dinner.

Frank believes deeply in the volunteer ethos of the Institution and gave his time freely while working as a postman. An ethos continued at each of the 235 operational lifeboat stations in the United Kingdom and Ireland where courageous volunteers risk their lives to save others.

Museum Manager Jacqui Palmer said: ‘Frank is an inspiration. His tenacity and enthusiasm ensured we have a wonderful collection of photographs, objects and archives of Cromer’s lifeboat heritage to share here at the museum. He always emphasises how important it is to work as a team and without teamwork the RNLI would achieve very little.

‘Sharing the work of the RNLI with the younger generation has always been a pleasure for Frank. He has attended many school assemblies over the years and guided innumerable groups of children around the Museum. His enthusiasm is still contagious.

‘Yesterday Frank was recognised as an outstanding member of the RNLI team and deservedly so. ’