THE PERFECT SUNNY AFTERNOON of Tu6Sday April 27 seemed to take on extra brightness when Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Kent arrived at the Jubilee Gardens, South Bank, to name the relief 52ft Arun lifeboat Duchess of Kent. With flags and bunting fluttering gaily in the strong breeze, and the rising waters of the River Thames slapping against the sides of the lifeboat, the ceremony could have been at any coastal port; only the noise of trains from the nearby Waterloo station and the roar of the traffic betrayed the fact that it was taking place in the heart of London.

The lifeboat was the gift of the Freemasons United Grand Lodge of England, and the large audience of Freemasons and RNLI branch and guild members, together with the music provided by members of the Royal Marines Band, attracted many casual walkers in the park to the site of the ceremony.

After being greeted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Lambeth, Councillor and Mrs Johnny Johnson, and the chairman of the Greater London Council, John Ward, JP, the Duchess of Kent was presented with a posy by eight-year-old Katie Higham, daughter of Cdr Michael Higham, Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England. In return, after having a short talk with the little girl, the Duchess picked a rose from the centre of the posy and gave it to Katie, along with a box of chocolates. Katie was obviously delighted with the gifts.

In his welcoming speech, the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the RNLI said: 'It is unusual for a lifeboat naming ceremony to take place in our capital city but in this Maritime England Year, most appropriate, for we are here today on the banks of The Thames—a river which has flowed for all time through the maritime history of our nation.' Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director, then described the lifeboat and the role she would play in the Institution's relief fleet: 'The RNLl's relief fleet is not a fleet of lifeboats in mothballs, to be called out only when a crisis occurs, but consists of fully-operational lifeboats ready to take over from a station lifeboat when repairs are required, or when she is on refit or survey.' Admiral Graham went on to say that, 'the Arun is an outstanding success story; three of the last four gold medal awards have been for services carried out in Arun class lifeboats and 1 can reveal that the Arun class has been awarded a 1982 Design Council Award which will be presented tomorrow by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.' The Duke of Kent then formally delivered the lifeboat into the care of the RNLI saying that the audience were witnessing a unique occasion . . .

'. . . not because a lifeboat is being named in London, that has been done on several occasions; but because I, as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, am in effect giving myself a lifeboat, as I am also President of the RNLI. There have been ten lifeboats gifted to the RNLI by the Masons and I am very pleased to be able to continue this tradition. Freemasonry today is outward looking and able to give practical help to many organisations. This lifeboat represents such practical help which because it is a lifeboat will in its turn serve anybody in trouble at sea.' The Right Reverend George Reindorp, Honorary Assistant Bishop of London, then conducted the service of dedication, assisted by the Right Reverend Principal Martin Cressey, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, and Father Gerald Burke, Director of the Ministry to Priests Programme in the Diocese of Westminster. Rabbi M. Berman was also in attendance representing the Chief Rabbi.

The Duke of Atholl then called upon the Duchess of Kent to name the lifeboat. After saying that she could well understand the necessity with a modern lifeboat fleet for the relief fleet to be composed of similar craft, capable of covering the same area at the same speed as the station boats they replace temporarily, the Duchess expressed her deep appreciation of the singular honour of having a lifeboat bear her name, and also of being able to name her personally. With the breaking of a bottle of champagne, the Duchess named the lifeboat Duchess of Kent.

Following the now famous Royal walkabout, the Duke and Duchess boarded the lifeboat for a short demonstration on The Thames.

The Institution was most grateful to the Greater London Council, the Port of London Authority and the English Tourist Board for their help in arranging this naming ceremony, a most successful occasion.—S.J.G..