FOR WESTON-SUPER-MARE station branch last August 21 was a day of double celebration because 1982 was its centenary year and also a new D class inflatable lifeboat, donated by Farnham branch, had come on station. So, at 7.30 that Saturday evening, officers, crew and other members of the branch together with their families and friends met outside Weston Bay Yacht Club for an act of dedication and re-dedication.

First, Raymond Cory, a member of the Committee of Management, presented the centenary vellum to the branch.

It was accepted by the branch president, Mrs E. M. Miller Barstow, who in turn handed it to the Mayor of Westonsuper- Mare for safekeeping. Then, Mrs H. Elphick, chairman of Farnham branch, presented to the RNLI the new D class lifeboat; the lifeboat was received on behalf of the Institution by Mr Cory and into the care of the station branch by the honorary secretary, John Williams. The service which followed was conducted by the Prebendary J. T. Hayward with an address by the Rt Reverend A. K. Hamilton.

To mark its centenary year Weston-super-Mare launched an appeal to raise the money to fund a new Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat which, in 1983, will replace its present 18ft 6in McLachlan lifeboat.

photograph by courtesy of West Air Photography.