A 'priceless' lifeboat that has been on display for 28 years needs to be relocated 'urgently' due to structural issues at a lifeboat shop and museum.

The RNLI gift shop at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Lifeboat Station on Riverside Road had to close in October for maintenance.

According to a post on the shop's Facebook page, structural issues with the Gorleston building have been "made worse" by the number of high tides over the summer.

This has led to concern for the condition of the John and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood Lifeboat, a rare and historic RNLI vessel built in 1922 and which has been in the shop since being restored in 1986.

Great Yarmouth Mercury:

Before the shop's closure, the vessel's timber had shrunk and where water was seeping through the walls the original fittings to hold her in place rusted, meaning more chains were added to stop any movement.

Captain Lindsey Wigmore, lifeboat operations manager at the station, described the lifeboat as "priceless" and said it is hoped to relocate her to Chatham where she can be fully restored and displayed to the public.

"The lifeboat is very important for the RNLI. Only four of them were made and she's the only remaining one," he added.

Great Yarmouth Mercury:

The shop, meanwhile, will remain closed indefinitely, until the organisation has found new premises.

Mr Wigmore said: "We are trying to find a pop-up shop somewhere, trying to source another place to put the shop at the moment."

Last month, the RNLI sold their Christmas cards at Priory Gardens in Gorleston.

In the interim, the shop volunteers will have a stall on Great Yarmouth Christmas market from December 2 to 4, and at the same time will have a pop-up shop in Margo’s Café on Bells Road in Gorleston. 

They will also be selling bears made from recycled materials and ranging in price from £8 to £12 and the special RNLI 'WOW' toys - Lifeguard Lucy, Mechanic Matt and Lifeboat Lily - which make great stocking fillers and are priced at £7 each.

If anyone requires RNLI merchandise they can contact the shop manager, Judi Blyth, on 07785 542791.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The John and Mary Meiklam lifeboat saved 211 lives while stationed at Gorleston from 1924 until 1939.The John and Mary Meiklam lifeboat saved 211 lives while stationed at Gorleston from 1924 until 1939. (Image: Submitted)

History of a 'priceless' lifeboat

The John and Mary Meiklam was built in 1922 and is the only remaining example of a powered, pulling and sailing lifeboat of the Norfolk and Suffolk class.   

She was originally launched at Cromer in 1923 and named H.F. Bailey and her coxswain was the famous Henry Blogg.   

The lifeboat was relocated to Gorleston in 1924 and while at the station it launched 115 times, saving 211 lives.  

When, in 1939, the lifeboat was replaced as main lifeboat, she remained at Gorleston as its second vessel until 1946 when she went into the reserve fleet.   

In 1952, she was sold to British Railways Ferries, stripped of her lifesaving equipment and used as a workboat in Fishguard Harbour for more than 30 years.  

When no longer required she was put up for sale and purchased by Dr Anderson, chairman of Gorleston Lifeboat Committee, for £5.  

Local businesses helped to return her to Gorleston where volunteers set about restoring her for display at the station.