Stromness On the afternoon of Thursday August 22, 1985, morning rain had given way to sunshine and the earlier buzz of conversation blending with music from the Salvation Army Band and the movement of people around Stromness harbour was hushed at the sound of bagpipes in the background. Between the ranks of Boys' Brigade members appeared three pipers in full regalia leading the platform party to their appointed place. At precisely 2.30 pm Captain Max Gunn, chairman of Stromness lifeboat station, opened the proceedings for the naming ceremony and dedication of their new Arun class lifeboat, reviving memories for some of a similar occasion almost 30 years ago to the day.

To mark this special occasion and to emphasise the total involvement of the whole community of Stromness with their lifeboat, Mrs Stout, chairman of the Community Council, presented to the crew the first of the township's plaques bearing the coat of arms which had only recently been officially confirmed and granted and which would, henceforth, proudly appear on the boat's superstructure.

With the scene set, Lynne Sinclair, daughter of the Second Coxswain, prettily, and to the enjoyment of all in attendance, made a presentation to Mrs Mary Milne who, as sister of the executor of the Sykes estate, in due course, would name the lifeboat The Joseph Rothwell Sykes and Hilda M.

Because the lifeboat was funded entirely by legacies and as there were no surviving members of the respective families, Mr John Atterton, MBE, former deputy director of the RNLI and an executor of the Hilda May Vyvyanestate, delivered the boat to the RNLI.

It was accepted by Brigadier S. Robertson, MBE, TD IP, DL, a vice-president of the RNLI. Recalling notable services undertaken by the Stromness lifeboat over the years and the fact that he had family connections with the notable former coxswain, Bob Greg, holder of the Institution's silver medal, he duly invited Mr Willie Craigie, station honorary secretary, to accept the boat into the station's safe-keeping. He in turn provided a most fitting and moving response which was acknowledged by the guild president, Mrs Kershaw, in her vote of thanks to all who had and would be participating in the formalities.

With the religious service conducted by the Rev. R. S. Whiteford, MA, Moderator of Orkney Presbytery, and hymn singing led by Kirkwall Salvation Army Band and Stromness Choir, the whole gathering then witnessed Mrs Milne leaving the platform, proceeding to the dais at the quayside and uttering the time honoured phrase "I name this lifeboat The Joseph Rothwell Sykes and Hilda M. May God bless her and all who sail in her." In due time two members of the Claymore Pipe Band escorted the principals around the quayside to board the boat where, in the company of Piper A. Flett playing Chocks Away, they sailed out of the harbour. Such was the final scene in a brief interlude in the life of Stromness; an occasion witnessed by the school children who had been granted a holiday and a lasting memory for a community that is deeply involved with its lifeboat and fully conscious of the work of her crew in an area renowned for its frightening weather and seas.—K.T.

Bally cotton Ballycotton lifeboat station in County Cork, has a long and proud tradition of lifesaving and one which is rooted in several local families. Thus, the rededication ceremony of the Hyman Winstone, held on Sunday September 8, 1985, in brilliant sunshine was, for many, a gathering of the clans. For among the huge crowd, which had comefrom all over County Cork, were two daughters and two grandsons of former Coxswain Patrick Sliney, who had been awarded the gold medal in 1936 for his part in the Daunt Rock rescue. Excoxswain Michael Lane Walshe was also present, together with his sons Michael and Redmond, who are mechanic and crew member respectively, aboard the 52ft Arun class lifeboat being re-dedicated and blessed.

At 3.00 pm the crowd were brought to attention as the national anthem was played by the Band of the Southern Command. The Reverend Father Bartholomew Troy cc, chairman of Ballycotton branch, then opened the proceedings and welcomed everyone to Ballycotton.

Mr Clayton Love Jnr, a member of the Committee of Management and a native of Cork proudly handed over what would become his local lifeboat to Mr Donal O'Sullivan, the station honorary secretary.

Hyman Winstone was blessed by the Most Reverend John Ahern, Bishop of Cloyne and the Right Reverend Samuel Poyntz, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. The local choir gathered together and, conducted by Miss Noreen O'Sullivan, daughter of the honorary secretary, led in the singing of two hymns.

Lt Cdr Brian Miles, the RNLI's deputy director, in his address expressed his personal pleasure to be at Ballycotton again, a lifeboat station he always enjoyed visiting when he had been divisional inspector in Ireland. He went on to deliver a message of goodwill to the Ballycotton station and crew from Mrs Marie Winstone, the donor of the 52ft Arun class lifeboat.

Coxswain Thomas McLeod, then invited the platform party and other dignitaries to board Hyman Winstone. As they passed the assembled yachts who had specially raced from Crosshaven to Ballycotton to be present, they were cheered and hooters sounded. The Youghal Atlantic 21 lifeboat Marjory Turner, also present for the ceremony, joined in the short demonstration run. Then the large crowd moved up to the local hall where the ladies had provided a wonderful variety of cakes and biscuits.—j.o'c..