A sculpture from the popular Puffins Galore! trail has returned to Hornsea Inshore Rescue and its usual place by the slipway.
However, this was not the previous puffin, but one bought especially for the independent lifeboat charity by local farmer John Hepworth.
John said he had spent many a happy hour in the Boat Launch Cafe watching adults and children interacting with the puffin and having photographs taken.
When he heard they were up for auction he decided he would buy one on behalf of Hornsea Inshore Rescue and have it replace the one that was removed when the puffin trail project ended earlier this year.
John went to the auction of all the puffins accompanied by Sue Hickson-Marsay and Faye Melody of Hornsea Inshore Rescue, and successfully bid for the Star Gansey puffin – though he says it was with the aid of Sue’s constant nudging and lifting his hand up that sealed the winning bid.
The puffin is extra-special to those at the lifeboat station as it is wearing the Star Gansey (fisherman’s jumper), a design unique to the fishermen of the Humber. It also coincides with all the crew finally receiving their own individual Hornsea Rescue ganseys knitted by people from far and wide, organised by local supporter Lorri Tolan.
Watching the puffin being reinstalled, John said: “I want it to stay here forever to make people happy and thankful that we have our own locally supported Hornsea Inshore Rescue.”
Proceeds from the Puffins Galore! auction and the sale of merchandise will provide significant support to Hornsea Inshore Rescue, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, the RSPB and RNLI.
Sue, who is chairman of Hornsea Inshore Rescue and station manager, said: “I am so thrilled to have the puffin back and the magnificent donation coming our way.
“This will help so much with our five-year plan to eventually replace the lifeboat, its tractor and its launching trailer and keep Hornsea Inshore Rescue at the forefront as a lifesaving organisation.”
