Portaferry, May 9, 1987 There was a large gathering for the naming ceremony and service of dedication of the new Portaferry Atlantic 21 lifeboat Blue Peter V. The occasion included the official opening of the new boathouse, made possible through the generosity of the local community and donations to the Mountbatten Ulster Appeal, launched by the "Belfast Newsletter" as a tribute to the former Admiral of the Fleet, The Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

Chairman of Portaferry station branch. Major W. S. Brownlow, opened the proceedings by welcoming the guests before Dr T. Francis Duff declared the boathouse officially open.

Mr Wilson Ervin, CBE, a member of the RNLI Committee of Management, thanked Dr Duff and accepted the boathouse on behalf of the Institution.

Vice Admiral Sir Arthur Hezlet, KBE, CB, DSO, DSC, DI., a vice president of the RNLI, delivered the Atlantic 21 into the care of Portaferry lifeboat station and the vessel was accepted on behalf of the Portaferry branch by Dr W. P.Brown, the station honorary secretary.

Also taking part in this memorable occasion were Dr Barry Bramwell, president of the station branch and Mrs W. S. Brownlow, president of the Portaferry Lifeboat Guild who thanked the community for their outstanding support of the boathouse appeal.

The service of dedication was conducted by the Rev Canon W. J. Arlow, assisted by the Rev P. Neeson, the Rev I. Wilson and the Rev A. D. L. Sleath.

The lifeboat was officially named by Dr.

Duff.Cardigan, June 20, 1987: There were three good reasons to celebrate at Cardigan when the new lifeboathouse was opened at Poppit Sands; the station's new C class inflatable lifeboat was dedicated and a commemorative vellum to mark 100 years of lifesaving was presented to the station. Guests were welcomed by Mr Alan Griffiths, chairman of Cardigan station branch, before Miss Elonwy Harewood Williams, representing all those who had contributed more than £10,000 to the local appeal to fund a new lifeboathouse, handed the keys to Mr Raymond Cory, a deputy chairman of the RNLI. Mr John F. Hopkinson, of Windermcre, Cumbria then formally handed over into the care of the RNLI the new 17ft 6in C class inflatable lifeboat provided by his late wife, Mrs Nancy Lynde Hopkinson. Gratefully accepting the lifeboat, Mr Cory placed it in the care of the station, represented by the honorary secretary, Mr Vernon Evans, who also received from Mr Cory the centenary vellum. Following a service of dedication, conducted by the Vicar of St Dogmaels, the Rev Eric Rhys Williams. Mr Hopkinson inspected the lifeboat and met the crew, before an exercise involving the lifeboat and a rescue helicopter from RAF Brawdy. photograph hy courtesy of Jeff MorrisHowth, May 16, 1987 A huge gathering of lifeboat supporters and branch and guild members attended the naming and dedication of Howth's new 52ft Arun class lifeboat City of Dublin, despite the poor weather of May 16. The St Lawrence Pipe Band played as the guests arrived and then Mr John Guinness, chairman of Howth lifeboat station branch opened proceedings by welcoming the dignitaries, donors, supporters, lifeboat crews from around the coast and in particular the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the RNLI. A special committee, chaired by the Rt Hon Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alderman Bertie Ahern, TD, Minister for Labour, had been formed to raise half the cost of the new lifeboat and Mr Harry Hannon, vice-chairman of the appeal executive committee, before delivering the City of Dublin to the Institution, thanked all who had supported the appeal fund, standing then at more than £200,000.

The Duke of Atholl accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI and delivered it into the care of the Howth branch, for the use of Howth lifeboat station. In doing so he said: "It is alwavs pleasing to visit Ireland, where a warm and hospitable welcome is always assured. It is particularlv pleasing to be present at such a significant occasion as this in Howth's lifeboat historv. I would like to add my good wishes to the Howth crew and to compliment them on their splendid lifeboat station." Mr Norman Wilkinson, branch honorary secretary, accepted the lifeboat.

The service of dedication and blessinnwas conducted by the Most Rev Donald Caird, DD. Most Rev Monseignor Richard Maher. Dr William O'Neill and the Rev Christopher Walpole. The Boys Brigade Band and a choir drawn from the local churches led the singing of Eternal Father Strong to Save.

Mrs Maura McLoughlin, president of Howth Ladies' Guild and wife of the coxswain, proposed a vote of thanks to all those who had taken part in the ceremony.

Then, the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Miriam Ahern, stepped forward to name the new lifeboat before Coxswain Gerry McLoughlin invited the platform party on board for a trip to sea where the City of Dublin was joined by an Irish Air Corps helicopter for a joint exercise.Sunderland, June 4, 1987: The first of two D class inflatable lifeboats funded by a successful Lifesaver Appeal on BBC Radio Newcastle last year was formally handed over and dedicated at Roker Foreshore, Sunderland. Following an opening address by Mr Geoff Snowball.

chairman of Sunderland station branch, Mr Bob Wrack, station manager of BBC Radio Newcastle handed the lifeboat over to Mr Ray Kipling, assistant director of the RNLI, who accepted it on behalf of the Institution. Mr Kipling then placed the boat into the care of Sunderland lifeboat station in the person of station honorary secretary Mr Jerry Finn. The Rev Ian McLeod led a short service of dedication before the Mayor of Sunderland. Councillor John Mawson named the boat BBC Radio Newcastle I, watched by Mr Wrack (right). Helmsman Mike Tighe and the crew. photograph by courtesy o/Sunderland Echo Blyth, July 17, 1987: The second D class inflatable lifeboat to result from the radio station's appeal was dedicated and named BBC Radio Newcastle II by Mrs Margaret Day, Mayoress of Valley Borough Council at a ceremony at Blyth lifeboathouse in July. Earlier Mr D. G. E. Kent, chairman of Blyth lifeboat station branch welcomed those in attendance, including Mr Chris Warbis. who represented the radio station on this occasion. Mr Denham Christie, a vice president of the RNLI, accepted the lifeboat from Mr Warbis before handing it into the care of Blyth station and its honorary secretary, Mr R. Carr. The service of dedication was led by the Rev R. Chapman. Vicar of St Cuthberfs, Blyth.

Happisburgh, May 25, 1987: Most of Britain was bathed in unaccustomed fine spring bank holiday weather, but at Happisburgh on the Norfolk coast, the sun was hidden by cloud and sea mist.

However, an indifferent climate could not dispel the air of excitement as the resort's new D class lifeboat was drawn from its boathouse in readiness for the service of dedication.

The flags flew and the bunting fluttered as visitors and locals alike gathered in their hundreds to take part in the ceremony and to witness this very special event in the life of the village.

All were welcomed by Mr Gerald Lomax, branch chairman and station honorary secretary, but none more so than Mr John D. Sutton DSO, chairman of the Leicester branch, who officially handed over the boat. It was from fund raising activities undertaken by Leicester schoolchildren that the lifeboat was financed, underlining the strong link between the city and lifeboats on the east coast, stretching back more than a century.

The service was led by the Rev. Nicholas Martin, vicar of Happisburgh and Walcott, most ably supported musically by the church choir and the North Norfolk Brass Band whose confidence and ability belied their youth.

The warmth and exuberance of the atmosphere heightened as the lifeboat was pulled down to the beach, launched into the surf and spray and put through her paces by the crew.

A day for all those present to remember and relish, especially perhaps for the long standing crew member and Senior Helmsman.

Cedric Cox—also his 40th birthday.—R.s.

photograph hv courier of Stephen Ward.