Autumn is definitely here – felt with the turning of leaves, the chill in the air, and the blend of anticipation for the coming holiday season and resignation that it is time to put on sweaters and heating! I hope you all had a relaxing summer and enjoyed those long stretches of warm sunny days. There are a few issues the Ilfracombe Town Council has been discussing that I thought you might want more information about.
Photo by Tim Samuel on Pexels.com
Lifeboat Changes
In early October, the RNLI charity announced changes in fleet deployment that directly impacts Ilfracombe. The Barry and Peggy High Foundation – a Shannon 13-09 class lifeboat – began its service here in Ilfracombe in 2015 when the previous boat – the Mersy ALB class boat – was replaced. This Shannon class lifeboat will now be replaced by an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat. Appledore will have its Atlantic 85 replaced with a D class inshore lifeboat for river incidents, and a Shannon class all weather lifeboat will replace its current Tamar-class lifeboat, the Mollie Hunt. Salcombe RNLI will also receive a new Shannon class lifeboat. These changes are part of a nation-wide reorganization of charity coastal resources to be rolled out 2026 – 2027. 20 out of 238 lifeboat stations around Ireland and the UK are being impacted by this redeployment initiative.
One of the reasons given for the changes in Ilfracombe and Appledore is a shift in coastline usage and emergency needs. RNLI statistics indicate “…more people are using the coast for recreational purposes such as open water swimming and paddleboarding, so the majority of incidents the RNLI responds to are closer to shore (98% are within 10 nautical miles of the shore) compared to years ago when demand was to commercial fishing further off shore.” Adrian Carey, RNLI Head of Region for the south west, stated”… around 97% of RNLI service calls requiring the capabilities of an inshore lifeboat, they are an essential part of the lifeboat fleet. We are confident the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat is the most suitable asset for the types of services Ilfracombe attend.” (see source)
The argument is the needs of Ilfracombe’s community and visitors are better served by an Atlantic 85 boat – one of the fastest boats in the fleet that is best suited for rescues close to shore, cliffs and rocks, as well as operate in high winds.
As news articles (referenced below) indicate, there are criticisms about these decisions, including concerns about the inability of the smaller Atlantic boat to tow large boats in trouble at sea, such as Ilfracombe’s big trawlers and tourist boats. There have also been expressed concerns about the loss of Ilfracombe’s established affiliation with the Shannon class boat, concerns about loss of tourist interest in the area, and a perception Ilfracombe is experiencing a downgrading of service.
RNLI lifeboat by Mike Graham is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0
In response, the Ilfracombe RNLI Press Officer has stated that ““We are looking at the area of the Bristol channel that we are in as a whole, so all the lifeboat stations together. …We are not equipping every lifeboat station with exactly the same thing, we’re looking to provide all over security for people at sea… We are not doing so many rescues far out at sea or in poor conditions or for large boats. The majority of our rescues are in shore paddleboarders, kayaks, swimmers and missing people. Those sorts of things we don’t need an all weather lifeboat for on every station”. (see source) It is also emphasized that a Shannon class boat to aid off the coast of Ilfacombe could be deployed from Appledore if needed, and that the coastgaurd helicoper will remain available.
A representative from the Ilfracombe Lifeboat Station attended a September ITC meeting to explain these reasons, including sharing statistics to support the decision. The ITC responded to this decision with the creation of a subcommittee to work on more fact finding and advocacy for Ilfracombe. The Council’s PO was also charged with writing a letter to the Harbour board from the ITC emphasizing concerns about this change.
Sources:
https://www.devonlive.com/news/local-news/anger-rnli-lifeboat-changes-could-10553425
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxz1rw995po
Ilfracombe Street Marshalls initiative
Programs using Street Marshalls are in place in several cities and towns across the UK, including a number in Cornwall. In 2024, the Street Marshalls program piloted in Barnstaple was expanded to include Ilfracombe (see source).
The goals of the 2024 introduction scheme were:
– providing public reassurance / safety to the public and businesses.
– de-escalating situations that might lead to anti-social behavior
– providing first aid assistance as required
– reporting any environmental ASB issues to NDC
– building relationships with local businesses, providing a link
between businesses and public services and reporting any issues
and helping these to be addressed quickly.
– where reasonable, assisting Council and Police staff in their daily
duties
– gathering intelligence and enforcing the Public Spaces Protection Order
A 2024 survey of businesses and citizens of Barnstaple and Ilfracombe indicated strong support for the results, with positive percentages ranging from 79% – 96% indicating they felt safer, and experienced less crime and public disorder following the use of street marshalls. (see source)
Ilfracombe : Roofs & Houses by Lewis Clarke is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0
This year the ITC was asked to pay for a portion of funding needed to continue this program. To gage Ilfracombe’s public opinion and responses, a ‘Street Marshalls Impact Survey’ was conducted and results shared via Facebook in September. The 161 people who completed the survey indicated substantial support for the program, with 79% indicating street marshalls were beneficial to the safety and well-being of Ilfracombe, 77% indicating they felt safer in town due to the presence of these marshals, and 78% supporting ITC contributing town funds towards continued provision of street marshalls in 2026.(see source). At the September 2025 full Council meeting, the ITC voted to allocate up to £8,000 for continuation of this program.
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php/?fbid=1199697408852072
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-68492847
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70r23dj1zwo
https://democracy.northdevon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3893
Parking charges
It might seem early to be thinking of December holidays but for those looking ahead to shopping plans, please be aware the ITC approved offering free parking on Ropery Road and the High Street Car Par for late night shopping over the Christmas shopping period.
Crab and Lobster pots Ilfracombe Harbour by Jill Everington is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0
Ilfracombe postings 
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