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Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby filmed New Year's Day message from Dover RNLI station

The Archbishop of Canterbury will put out his New Year's Day message filmed from Dover Lifeboat Station.

The Most Rev Justin Welby visited the RNLI station, which is in his diocese, a couple of weeks before Christmas.

Archbishop Justin Welby with James Clapham and Jon Miell, Coxwains of the RNLI Dover lifeboat. Picture: RNLI/Ailsa Anderson-Cole
Archbishop Justin Welby with James Clapham and Jon Miell, Coxwains of the RNLI Dover lifeboat. Picture: RNLI/Ailsa Anderson-Cole

He also spent time speaking to volunteers there about their fundraising, visitor and education work and to the crew about the challenges of keeping such a busy station afloat.

Dover Coxswain James Clapham said: "Our lifeboat station is very much a part of our community and we are always happy to welcome people from other walks of life to see what we do and learn more about our work.

"The Archbishop was very supportive of our great volunteers and showed a real understanding of how we operate. He enjoyed a tour of the boat and chatted to the crew about their rescues and their other lives away from the station."

The New Year's Day message by the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury will be broadcast on Wednesday, January 1 on BBC One at 1pm.

It will be shown again on BBC Two, with subtitles, at 4pm that day.

Archbishop Justin Welby and David Slater, Port of Dover Chaplain. Picture: RNLI/BBC
Archbishop Justin Welby and David Slater, Port of Dover Chaplain. Picture: RNLI/BBC

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