At a time when Walton’s all weather lifeboat is about to be replaced by a rubber dinghy inshore rescue boat. This iconic photo of long-serving lifeboat man, Keith Richardson, expressing his sad farewell as the boat left its end-of-pier moorings for the last time, is a fitting tribute to the many men and women who have heroically served this coastline for more than 100 years.
Photo by Sophie King
As a youngster I so remember lying in bed hearing the maroons which summoned the men to the lifeboat. This was closely followed by our next door neighbor, Bert Oxley, rushing from his home to assist with launching the boat into the unknown sea conditions. In those days the town was also told when the boat returned safely by another single maroon. Whatever will happen now?
Walton Tales 
Very Sad Day indeed
Let’s hope there will be no regrets by those in power š
A shame an old tradition lost.
However in this day and age it’s, I think called “progress”, linked with “rationalisation of resources”, linked with “cash flow” linked with…….. and so ad infinitum.
That’s our strange modern way of life.
Sad news.
Commiserations to all crew members.
From true to the core to present day there has been a lifeboat to save lives at sea ,many family members have been lifeboat men ,I wonder what they would think now , are their sacrifices to be forgotten,it’s a terrible shame .the coast off walton is busy with boats and swimmer’s I just don’t understand why it has to go