Floral tributes have been laid by Weymouth Town Council to mark the 200th anniversary of a live saving service. 

Skilled gardeners from the council meticulously arranged thousands of plants to recreate the RNLI's emblem in the flowerbed at the heart of Greenhill Gardens.

This year's carpet bedding display has been completed and representatives from Weymouth Town Council and the RNLI gathered in the gardens to celebrate.

The RNLI were chosen as the charitable organisation for 2024 in tribute to their 200th anniversary year.

Cllr Jon Orrell, Mayor of Weymouth, said: “This year marks the 200th anniversary of the RNLI and our skilled gardeners have re-created the organisation’s logo in the carpet bedding at Greenhill.

"From providing lifeguards on the beach to launching the lifeboat to save lives at sea, the RNLI plays such an important role here in Weymouth.

"Weymouth Town Council is honoured to recreate their logo at Greenhill Gardens, and I hope many people will get to see it as it begins to burst with colour over the coming weeks.”

The RNLI was founded in a London tavern on March 4, 1824, following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks.

The all weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboat - 25th July 2022The all weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboat - 25th July 2022 (Image: Graham Hunt Photography)

Weymouth is one of the RNLI’s busiest lifeboat stations on England’s south coast, operating two lifeboats – Ernest and Mabel, a Severn class all-weather lifeboat, and Jack and Phyl Cleare, a B class Atlantic 85.

Teresa Drage, RNLI Fundraising Chair, added: “On behalf of Weymouth lifeboat station, thank you to the Greenhill Gardens team and Weymouth Town Council for this wonderful flower bed display in recognition of this the 200th year of the RNLI saving lives.”

Many events have taken place across the county to honour the charity milestone including the Parade of Sail event in May which saw hundreds gather in Weymouth for a marine parade of more than sixty boats. 

Weymouth RNLI will also be hosting its annual Lifeboat Week, running from Sunday, July 28 to Saturday, August 3, with a variety of events and activities aimed at all the family.