by Tim Nuttall
A book of poems written in remembrance of a RNLI volunteer who inspired the launch of Withernsea’s Blue Light Weekend has been released to help raise funds for the event.
Withernsea-based poet Richard Harries has written and compiled Beams of Blue Light in memory of RNLI operations manager Steve Medcalf who lost his life after a house fire in 2022.
Richard said: “The tragic death of my friend Steve Medcalf saddened the whole town of Withernsea. I decided that I would produce a book of local or near-local poems to raise money for the event, to honour Steve and to celebrate the area. The poems are mainly about Withernsea, although one, Amy Johnson, is about Hull and another about Flamborough. There is a mix of comedic, tragic and historical poems, plus children’s stories.”
Copies of the book, priced £10 each, are available to purchase from Withernsea’s Route 1033 Café Bar & Grill, The Stylists hair salon and Priceless Pets, all in Queen Street, plus the Old Boatshed in Seaside Road and Castle Café in Pier Road. Copies are also available directly from the poet – email [email protected]. Should postage be required, an additional cost to cover this will be added at the time of purchase.
Richard, a long-standing supporter of the RNLI who also leads history walks as part of the Blue Light Weekend, added: “I’m delighted that the first print run sold out with 24 hours on pre-orders alone, resulting in further copies being printed. All profit raised from the sale of the book will be donated to the Blue Light Weekend in Steve’s memory.
“I could not have achieved the release of this book without the assistance of my friend and editor Paul Thornton and my computer-genius friend, Darrin Stevens, who provided the unique photo of Withernsea’s Victorian lifeboat for the book’s cover. I hope people like this collection of poems and find reading them as enjoyable as I did writing them.”
Shortly before he died, Steve expressed a desire to help put Withernsea on the map by organising an event that would raise awareness and money for local emergency lifesaving organisations and military veterans’ services. A small group of family and friends aimed to realise this ambition and set about organising the Blue Light Weekend in his honour.
Steve’s son, James Medcalf, said: “It’s always nice to see people from the town contributing to the legacy of my old man, especially from his friends like Mr Harries. Dad absolutely loved this town and would be absolutely thrilled to see the amazing community spirit that we have at the moment.”
Now in its third year, the Blue Light Weekend attracts thousands of visitors with a programme of live entertainment and activities including demonstrations by emergency services, an air show, a raft race and a colour run. Last year, the event raised £8,000 for a variety of local lifesaving and veterans’ services.
This year’s event takes place on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3. Visit bluelightweekend.com for further information.