Jersey centenary While visiting Jersey on Friday June 1, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, a Patron of the RNLI, attended a service of thanksgiving and blessing for St Helier lifeboat station and presented a vellum to mark the centenary of the RNLI in Jersey. When Her Majesty, accompanied by His Excellency General Sir Peter Whiteley, Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, and Sir Frank Ereaut, Bailiff of Jersey, arrived at St Helier Marina, she was received by Mr Michael Vernon, a deputy chairman of the Institution, Mrs Georgina Keen, a member of the Committee of Management, Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, the director, and Jurat Roy Bailhache, president of Jersey branch. A souvenir programme was presented to the Queen Mother by Jonathan Hibbs, son of Crew Member William Hibbs, and a small basket of flowers was presented by Anna Stevens, daughter of Robin Stevens, a branch committee member.

Mr John Norman, chairman of Jersey branch, welcomed Her Majesty and everyone else present, including the crews of three overseas lifeboats, from France, West Germany and The Netherlands, and other Channel Islands lifeboatmen who were visiting Jersey for the centenary. The service of thanksgiving was conducted by the Very Reverend Tom Goss, Dean of Jersey; he was assisted by the Reverend Geoffrey Baker, honorary chaplain to Jersey lifeboat station, the Reverend Father David Mahy, Dean of the Roman Catholic Church in Jersey, and the Reverend Kenneth Street, Superintendent of Jersey Methodist Circuit.

Her Majesty then rose to present the centenary vellum to the branch. In her address she recalled the day in 1975 when she had named St Helier lifeboat, particularly remembering her meeting with former Coxswain Thomas James King in whose honour the boat had been named . . .

'His record of gallantry which included the award of the RNLI gold medal, was characteristic of Jersey lifeboatmen who have a long and distinguished history.' The Queen Mother then spoke of the bar to his silver medal which she had presented to Coxswain Michael Berry this May, and of all the people needed to keep the station operating: the crew, the committee, the fund raisers and their supporters . . .

'All of you and your predecessors over the last 100 years have built up a history of which you can be very proud. I congratulate you most warmly on your achievements and wish you good luck in your future endeavours.' The centenary vellum was then presented by the Queen Mother and accepted on behalf of Jersey branch by Captain Roy Builen, the honorary secretary, who then called for three cheers for Her Majesty. Before departing for her next engagement the Queen Mother met present and some past members of the crew. During the celebrations which continued over the weekend, the lifeboat people of Jersey met at St Catherine lifeboat station on Saturday June 2 for the official opening of the new lifeboathouse and the dedication of a new 17ft 6in Zodiac Mk IV D class inflatable lifeboat, which can operate all the year round, day and night. His Excellency Sir Peter Whiteley, accompanied by Lady Whiteley, and Sir Frank Ereaut, were once again present for the ceremony.

The new lifeboathouse was opened by Mrs Dorothy M. Bee, daughter of Mr F. H. Clarkson, founder of the Clarkson Jersey Charitable Trust which had funded the house. Mr Frederick E. Cohen then handed over to the RNLI the lifeboat donated in memory of his father, Mr Sebag Cohen, and Lady Leeds handed over the Land Rover donated in memory of her husband, Sir George Leeds. These three gifts were accepted by Mr Michael Vernon and handed into the safekeeping of Jersey branch.

The service of dedication which followed was led by the Very Reverend Tom Goss, and then the new lifeboat was launched for a demonstration run.

Jersey branch's centenary celebrations ended with a lifeboat ball, held on Saturday night in a marquee in the grounds of Government House. Opening of Howth lifeboathouse The opening ceremony of Howth lifeboathouse was held on Saturday April 14 in Howth Harbour against a background of gaily decorated yachts moored at the marina. Before the arrival of His Excellency President Patrick J. Hillery, who was performing the official opening, the guests and public were entertained by the St Lawrence Pipe Band.

The boathouse was funded by a special local appeal and its construction was largely undertaken by AnCo under its youth employment training scheme.

It will act as a co-ordinating centre for services carried out by the station's 47ft Watson class lifeboat A.M.T., which lies afloat, and its D class inflatable lifeboat, which is housed in the boathouse itself. There is also a mechanic's work room, a guild room, and a room for training and committee meetings.

Mr John Guinness, chairman of Howth branch, opened the ceremony by welcoming the President and all the guests. He then called on the Lord Killanin, a vice-president of the Committee of Management, formally to hand over the boathouse to Howth branch. In so doing the Lord Killanin said, 7 am handing over something which Howth branch has created by its own initiative.' Mr Norman Wilkinson, the station (Right) Howth's fine new boathouse was designed by the branch's honorary architect, Mr W. I. Baird, FRIAI.

honorary secretary, accepted the boathouse on behalf of the branch and the vote of thanks was then proposed by Mr Guinness and Mrs Joan Will, president of the ladies' guild.

The boathouse was dedicated and blessed by Canon T. F. Blennerhassett assisted by the Reverend P. Culhane, the Reverend B. Kelly and the Reverend W. O'Neill. Music was provided by the Boys Brigade Band and by a choir of more than 40 people drawn from the different local church choirs.

Before unveiling the commemorative plaque, President Hillery reminded all those present of the 'great debt we all owe the Lifeboat Institution and its crews for the tremendous service they freely provide'. He then was shown over the boathouse, and with the other guests watched the D class lifeboat launch before he himself went out for a trip with Coxswain Gerry McLoughlin and the crew of RNLB A.M.T.

The guests were then treated to a very enjoyable tea by the ladies' guild in the nearby Community Centre, during which President Hillery presented a long service badge to Coxswain McLoughlin.

The day had not yet ended for the lifeboatmen who, after a crew dance, had to go out on service at 0200, helping in the search for two fishermen who were finally picked up by a naval vessel at 0930 none the worse for their night at sea.—J.L.K.

Naming ceremony, Fowey The town quay was packed with people and bathed in sunshine as the naming ceremony of Fowey's new 33ft Brede class lifeboat Leonore Chilcott got under way on the afternoon of Thursday April 26, 1984. To herald the occasion, a Royal Navy Wessex search and rescue helicopter flew low over the river, trailing the RNLI flag. Then Fowey town cryer, Michael Penprase, announced the proceedings which be-gan when Councillor Mrs Hilda Court, Mayor of Fowey and chairman of the station branch, stood up to welcome Mr Paul Chilcott of Guernsey, the lifeboat's donor, and to thank him for his generous gift. This welcome was extended to his son Stephen who had bicycled to the ceremony from Weymouth. She also greeted Lord Falmouth, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Lady Falmouth and visiting RNLI officials.

In her speech she remarked that the harbour had for centuries been the lifeblood of Fowey with pilgrims, trading vessels and ships going to war all using it.

'When the lifeboat is called out, one marvels at the speed with which the crew gets the boat away. While we appreciate the fine boat. . . it can do nothing without the men who go out in her to do the work of the RNLI and brave the elements.' In handing the lifeboat over to the RNLI, Mr Chilcott said this was a very emotional moment for him. He was born just across the river and knew the area well as a child. He had watched the construction of the lifeboat at Rye in its early stages and had been on a test run with the crew. He went on, 'I am proud to make the acquaintance of the crew.

They are fine fellows and my friends.' Surgeon Captain F. W. Baskerville, a vice-president of the RNLI, accepted the lifeboat gratefully on behalf of the Institution and delivered it to the care of station honorary secretary, Captain Roy Pritchard. In his acceptance speech, Captain Pritchard said that the lifeboat had already proved herself to be a fast and capable rescue vessel.

The service of dedication, led by the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Reverend Peter Mumford, then followed. He was assisted by the Reverend David Woods, Vicar of Fowey, and the Reverend Ian Morris, Vicar of Lanteglos-by-Fowey (who is also a deputy launching authority for the station). The choir of Fowey Parish Church led the hymns and music was provided by the Fowey School Band.

Then in memory of his wife, Mr Chilcott named the lifeboat RNLB Leonore Chilcott, pressing the button to release the traditional shower of champagne on her bow.

Afterwards Captain Pritchard invited Mr Chilcott, the Bishop, Lord Falmouth and other guests to meet Coxswain Brian Willis and his crew and to take a short trip aboard the lifeboat.

RNLB Nottinghamshire On April 17 many eyebrows raised in Nottingham at a lifeboat travelling along the road to the city centre, to be greeted there by the Nottinghamshire lifeboat appeal committee. This was the culmination of two years' work in support of the appeal and the lifeboat was the 33ft Brede class lifeboat to be named RNLB Nottinghamshire which will be stationed at Invergordon.

Saturday April 28 dawned with brilliant skies and the Old Market Square was a magnificent sight, decorated with lifeboat flags and bunting, as was the lifeboat in the centre and also the surrounding buildings.

At 1130 the Council House clock rang; seven bells were struck by Sea Cadets and a cannon fired. The South Notts Hussars Yeomanry Band struck up and the proceedings were under way.

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Mrs I. F. Matthews, welcomed everyone and in particular Vice-Admiral Sir John Hayes, chairman of Invergordon lifeboat station, Captain A. S. Black, the station honorary secretary, and Coxswain William Lipp. Councillor J. M. Carter, chairman of the Nottinghamshire appeal, then presented the lifeboat to the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution. In receiving Nottinghamshire into the RNLI fleet, His Grace thanked the people of the county of all ages who had helped to raise the funds to purchase the lifeboat.

Vice-Admiral Sir John Hayes expressed the thanks of the Invergordon station branch committee and crew, making special reference to the operational value for Invergordon of the high speed of the new lifeboat. A service of dedication was conducted by the Lord Bishop of Southwell, the Rt Reverend Denis Wakeling, and the formal proceedings ended with a vote of thanks proposed by the chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor G. W. Chambers.

RNLB Nottinghamshire was on view for the rest of the day in Nottingham and on the following days in Mansfield and Newark. Wherever she went, she was the source of great interest.—B.H.S.

Re-dedication at Selsey Mrs Graham Doggart, who had been chairman of Selsey station branch for some 20 years, sadly collapsed and later died shortly before the service of rededication of the station's new Tyne class lifeboat, RNLB City of London, was due to begin on the afternoon of Saturday May 26. Knowing his mother's love for the RNLI and its tradition of carrying on, no matter what hazards are encountered, Mr Hubert Doggart, Mrs Doggart's son, requested that the service should continue as planned.

Mr Brian Murr, treasurer of Selsey branch, therefore, opened the proceedings, welcoming the guests who packed the boathouse and introducing Lt-Cdr John Lunch, a member of the RNLI Committee of Management.

Commander Lunch, who was there to deliver City of London to the care of Selsey station branch, said that it was an historic moment for the lifeboat service when the first fast slipway lifeboat was placed on station. He continued: '. . . research by the RNLI has proved so successful that the prototype generously funded by the City of London is able to go on station service. Going direct to the rescue in half the time adds powerfully to the lifesaving role of our lifeboats.' He concluded by saying that Selsey branch had a proud record in lifesaving with two silver medals and one bronze won in the last five years alone and he was sure City of London would continue to enhance the traditions of Selsey lifeboat station.

Mr Clive Cockayne, honorary secretary of the Selsey branch, received the boat and assured the RNLI that the committee, crew and all involved would do their best to uphold the tradition of the Institution in its use.

It was then the turn of the Lord Mayor, Locum Tenens, Colonel and Alderman Sir Ronald Gardner-Thorpe to address the guests. He told them of how he had been fortunate to be Lord Mayor of London at the time the City of London appeal was launched and he recalled how Lord Inchape and he had mounted the appeal in Fishmonger's Hall.

A service of re-dedication followed conducted by the Reverend V. R.

Cassam, Rector of St Peter's Church, Selsey. He was assisted by Father Campbell Price, Parish Priest of St Wilfred's Church and the Reverend F. R. Dowson, Minister of Selsey Methodist Church.

When the service was over, Colonel Sir Ronald Gardner-Thorpe and Cdr and Mrs Lunch were shown over the lifeboat which was later launched and put through her paces by Coxswain Michael Grant.

Blackpool Although Sunday May 13 was a fine day, the cold wind made it necessary for the dedication ceremony of Blackpool's new D class inflatable lifeboat to take place inside the boathouse. The Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Mrs Marjorie Hoggard, and the Mayoress, Mrs Kathleen Abbott, both presidents of the station branch, were present when Dr Graham Harding, chairman of Stockport South East branch, handed the lifeboat over to the RNLI. Stockport branch had raised £5,000 in one evening at their 21st anniversary cheese and wine party to fund the lifeboat which was named Lodge of Peace No 322 after the Masonic Lodge which had also contributed £500 towards the cost. Mr D. K. Redford, of the RNLI Committee of Management, and chairman of the Search and Rescue Committee, accepted the lifeboat on the Institution's behalf and delivered it to Mr R. W. Darbyshire, Blackpool honorary secretary. Canon D. I. G. Davies, Chaplain of the station, then led the service of dedication.

Scarborough The Reverend Ted Crofton, Vicar of Scarborough, conducted the blessing and dedication of Scarborough's new D class inflatable lifeboat which took place in front of the boathouse on Sunday May 6. The new lifeboat was provided from the bequest of the late John William Stennett and replaced a boat which had served Scarborough for the past 13 seasons. Members of the crew and branch committee attended the ceremony.

Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour) A new D class inflatable lifeboat was handed over at Langstone Harbour on the afternoon of Saturday May 26. The cost of the lifeboat was provided by a special appeal which was run by friends and family of Robbie Campbell in his memory after he died in an accident abroad. Dr I. T. McLachlan, chairman of Portsmouth station branch, began the proceedings after which Mr P. E.

Kettle, representing the donors, handed the lifeboat to Sir Alec Rose, an honorary life governor of the RNLI and president of the branch. The honorary secretary, Mr O. W. Pearce, then accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the station. The Reverend Roy George of St James' Church, Milton, Portsmouth, led the service of dedication and afterwards Miss Alison Bentley unveiled the donors' plaque.

Criccieth Bournemouth Borough's sea angling festival provided the funds for Criccieth's new 17ft 6in Zodiac Mk IV D class inflatable lifeboat. The handing over ceremony took place on Saturday May 26. Major T. K. Grange-Russell, president of Bournemouth sea angling festival, handed the lifeboat to Mrs A. Carey Evans, daughter-in-law of Lady Olwen Carey Evans, DBE, an honorary life governor of the RNLI who was unfortunately indisposed on the day of the ceremony. The lifeboat was then delivered to the care of Mr Glyn Humphreys, station honorary secretary. The service of dedication which followed was conducted by the Venerable Emlyn Roberts, Rector of Criccieth and Archdeacon of Merioneth..