Padstow lifeboathouse, at Trevose Head on the north coast of Cornwall, is at the foot of steep cliffs. On Sunday September 18, 1983, a new lift up these cliffs was formally opened by Captain P. K. C. Harris, HM Coastguard regional controller at Falmouth. In the photograph Captain Harris is seen with (I) Coxswain Trevor Evans and (r) Captain F. T. Sluman, station honorary secretary, taking a ceremonial ride in the lift after its opening. When unveiling a commemorative plaque, Captain Harris spoke of the essential interdependence of the lifeboat service and the Coastguard; he also congratulated the branch on the substantial contribution it had made, some £19,000, towards funding the lift, which can take two people and a stretcher, and the RNLI on thus increasing its efficiency.

photograph by courtesy of B. S. White.