A DEDICATED RNLI volunteer has been given an award for his long service.

On 23 December, the Barmouth RNLI coxswain, second coxswain and mechanic arrived at Stan Stebbings’ house in Church Street disguised as “very bad” carol singers.

Thankfully, in addition to their very poor singing, their motive was to present Stan with the RNLI’s official certificate commemorating his eleven years’ service as a member of the RNLI shore crew.

A spokesperson for Barmouth RNLI explained how vital Stan’s work was. “The RNLI shore crew are responsible for getting the lifeboats out of the boathouse, across the beach and into the sea then back safely into the boathouse on their return,” the spokesperson said.

“Their role is equally as important as the lifeboat crews, without them diligently working in the background, there would be no rescues.

“Stan has been a loyal and dependable member of the shore crew since 2004, always prepared to drop everything at a moment’s notice when the pagers call.

“Like the rest of the crew, he has carried out his tasks quietly and efficiently, making it look much easier than it is.

“As a token of the crew’s appreciation for his services, Stan was also given a gift of a short break in Llandudno for himself and his wife Angie.”

Barmouth RNLI coxswain Peter Davies is pictured presenting Stan with his certificate.