Ashley Chappell is a man of many talents and spends most of his working time at Jo Bird manufacturing new cabinet moulds. His practical skills are wide ranging from roofing to restoring a yacht in his spare time. He’s a very useful sounding board when it comes to working on new product ideas too. How he finds time for all this while bringing up his young family I will never know.
When we needed someone to play the casualty in our recent SOS603 rescue line video, he was the obvious candidate. Why? You might ask?
Because he is a volunteer for the RNLI on the Burnham-on-sea lifeboat and so was quite used to being in the water. He understands the risks involved.
In this instance it was in the very safe environment of Clevedon marine lake. Last week though was a different matter when a trawler got into difficulties near Hinkley point. The Bristol channel is notorious for its huge tidal range and strong currents.
Thankfully the crew of 2 were rescued by Ash his colleagues before the vessel went down.
I spoke to him about it yesterday and how typical of him to play down his achievement. All in a day’s work etc. Well Ash, you deserve recognition along with all the volunteers at the RNLI who selflessly give up their spare time to help others. We salute you.
The would be rescuer, actress Kelly, talking to Ash prior to the start of filming at Clevedon marine lake this spring.