Over J,000 hand-made paper flowers were needed to transform a rowing boat into a 47ft Watson class lifeboat. The old Coniston custom of dressing rowing boats has been revived as part of Coniston water festival. The lifeboat was made by Mrs Jean Peel and three other members of the local sailing club who were well rewarded by their efforts in winning first prize in the competition.

The boat was also successful as a fund raiser for the Institution when £131 was collected on the day of the competition and later when the boat was put on display in the village.

photograph by courtesy of Westmorland Gazette.