Cromer, June 20, 1986: Cromer townspeople donated generously towards Ruby and Arthur Reed II, the station's brand new 47ft Tyne class lifeboat, and it was therefore fitting that so many should be there, joined by holidaymakers and visitors from other parts of the country, for the lifeboat's christening by the RNLFs president, the Duke of Kent. Hundreds of colourful flowers and plants generously supplied by Cromer Town Hall helped to transform the grey windswept day, reminding everyone that it was mid-summer. Local schoolchildren, given a special holiday for the occasion, lined the paths down to the pier, music was provided by the Aylsham Silver Band and the Choir of Cromer Parish Church led the singing during the service of dedication.

The new lifeboat was funded by a legacy of Mrs R. M. Reed and by a local appeal to the public and business communities of Cromcr and surrounding areas. Major Anthony de G. Webster, chairman of Cromer branch and previously chairman of the Cromer Lifeboat Appeal committee, opened the proceedings and handed the lifeboat over to the RNLI. The Duke of Atholl, as chairman, received the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI and delivered her into the care of Cromer lifeboat station. Mr Jim Smith. BEM. station honorary secretary, accepted the lifeboat saying: ". . . it is a proud day indeed and gives me great pleasure to accept this new lifeboat on behalf of Cromer station . . . " After the service of dedication, the Duke of Kent addressed the audience saying that the new lifeboat was a tribute to both the RNLI's designers and to the local people who had worked hard to raise money to help pay for her. ". . . The Cramer station now has the latest and best equipment available but we should never forget that any lifeboat station's greatest asset is its crew members who, with the patient support of their wives and families, are ready at any time to face the worst conditions that wind and sea can produce . . . " The Duke then walked from the front of the pier to the lifeboathouse where the new lifeboat could be seen on the slipway.

He named the lifeboat Rubv and Arthur Reed II, and as the champagne broke across her bows, a helicopter from RAP Coltishall flew past, streaming the RNLI flag.—H.D.

photographs by courtesy of Jeff Morris.