London, April 14, 1988 The launch of an appeal to churches of all denominations in 1984 culminated in an historic ceremony at St Katharine Dock, London on Thursday, April 14, when the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Robert Runcie, MC, DD Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, named a new 47ft Tyne class lifeboat Good Shepherd.

The cost of the £537.000 lifeboat was met from the proceeds of the Church Appeal, generous gifts and bequests, and donations from special projects organised on behalf of the RNLI. Many of the contributors, together with lifeboat supporters from all over London, packed the dockside undeterred by grey skies and a biting wind and cheered by the nautical music played by the Cambridge Heath Band of the Salvation Army.

Thora Hird and BBC TV cameras were there too, recording the event to include in a Sunday night 'Praise Be' programme shown two weeks later.

Lt Cdr Brian Miles, director of the RNLI, warmly welcomed everyone and thanked all those who had generously donated money for the new lifeboat. He said it was an historic occasion because the meeting which had led to the foundation of the RNLI had taken place 164 years ago, just one mile away, and had been presided over by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Charles Manners Sutton.

Today was the first time a new lifeboat was to be christened by an Archbishop of Canterbury, and it was a great honour for the RNLI.

The Rev Bernard Thorogood. Moderator of the Executive Committee, British Council of Churches, said he was grateful that churches were given the opportunity to help fund the lifeboat. He handed over the lifeboat on behalf of all the donors and said that he was sure they would all welcome that sense of sharing in the RNLI's work, which the new lifeboat would give.

In accepting the lifeboat, Mr Michael Vernon, Deputy Chairman of the RNLI, said that she was the best lifeboat we have, incorporating the most up-to-date technology and thanked everyone who had subscribed towards her cost.

Captain George Cooper, Chief of Operations, then gave details about the lifeboat and all her equipment. He said she would serve in the relief fleet, standing in at up to 20 stations operating Tyne class lifeboats, all round the coast, when the station boats are away for survey and maintenance.

During the service of dedication for the new lifeboat, the Archbishop of Canterbury was assisted by The Right Rev Victor Guazzelli, Roman Catholic Bishop of East London, The Rev David Staple, MA, BD, General Secretary of the Free Church Federal Council and the Rev James L Weatherhead, MA, LLB, Principal Clerk and Moderator's Secretary for the Church of Scotland. An anthem was sung by a choir from Trinity College of Music.

The time then came for Lt Cdr Miles to invite the Archbishop to name the lifeboat.

The Archbishop recalled that he had been born and brought up beside the seaside and said that he liked to think it was in his blood.

"M mother was a hairdresser on an oceangoing liner and I was often taken to the launching!* of new ships.

. . . The connection between in office and the RNLI is a long one and 1 have been keen to maintain il. Soon after my arrival at Canterbury.

I got mv sea legs bv putting out to the Goodwin Sands with the Walmer lifeboat.

Only last November. I went out on the Falmouth lifeboat and was winched up into a helicopter. I managed to survive both tests and was rewarded after each of them with a wonderful party of RNLI supporters, along with crews and families.

The occasion provided an opportunity for the churches to express their admiration for those who accept and experience danger in order to bring safety to others, he said.

"/ thank God for the RNLI, for the discipline and spirit of those who man its lifeboats, those who support il bv raising funds and those who staff its offices. The RNLI is one of the great voluntarv organisations of this country. And it gives me great satisfaction to see in this lifeboat a continuing partnership between the Churches and the Institution.

I name this lifeboat Good Shepherd. May God bless her and all who sail in her."—H DPlymouth, April 15, 1988 A swirling Devon sea mist did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the large crowd gathered around Sutton Harbour to witness the naming of Plymouth's new Arun class lifeboat City of Plymouth on April 15, 1988.

The facilities for the ceremony had been provided by the station branch chairman, Duncan Godefroy, who welcomed guests from the city and from neighbouring lifeboat stations.

Over £130,000 towards the cost of the lifeboat had been raised from a local appeal, whose patron, the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Tony Parish, handed over the lifeboat to Mr Raymond Cory, a deputy chairman of the RNLI.

Mr Cory reminded those present of Plymouth's long and distinguished lifeboat history which, he said, was an important part of the city's long maritime heritage.

Local people had worked extremely hard to support the appeal and the Institution was deeply grateful to them.

Major Philip Reed, station honorary secretary, then accepted the new lifeboat into the care of the station, promising that she would be used conscientiously by the crew.

The service of dedication was conducted by the station's honorary chaplain, Mr Derek Tidball and the lesson was read by crew member Dr Steve Ray, a polytechnic lecturer.

Following the blessing. Vice Admiral Sir Robert Gerkin, president of the station and chairman of the appeal, whose dedication and enthusiasm had inspired such good local support, invited the Lady Mayoress to name the lifeboat City of Plymouth.

As the champagne crashed to the deck, the moorings were released, the lifeboat's engines were fired up and she slipped mysteriously away, her bright orange superstructure and the crew's yellow clothing being swallowed up by the cold grey mist. (Continued over)A reception in the City Hall lured the crew back to the land. In an emotional speech, the Lord Mayor paid tribute to the crew and said that he and the Lady Mayoress had found their involvement with the lifeboat appeal the most enjoyable part of their term of office.

In reply. Admiral Gerkin thanked the Lord and Lady Mayoress for their great help and Coxswain John Dare and Second Coxswain Patrick Marshall presented framed photographs of the boat to the civic leaders.—RK Troon, April 16, 1988 Despite driving rain and cold wind, the naming ceremony of City of Glasgow III was witnessed by a good turn-out of friends and supporters who had all, in their various ways, done so much to ensure that the new lifeboat was totally funded and who all wished to share in the occasion of the service of dedication and formal naming undertaken by the Lady Provost of Glasgow.

The scene of ranks of upturned chairs flanking the platform with its saturated decoration was quickly transformed into a galaxy of multi coloured umbrellas, cagoules and rainwear as the guests arrived. The band of Marr College manfully endeavoured to lift the gloom as the platform party arrived, gallantly led by the piper, Mr William Andrew, who successfully overcame the conditions playing "Chocks Away"—Scotland's lifeboat march.

With the branch chairman, Mr Tom Wyllie, in the chair and the Lord Provost of Glasgow representing the donors before ending his term of office, glowing tributes were paid to everyone associated with such a splendid achievement. His Grace the Duke of Atholl delivered the boat to the care of the station and it was accepted by Mr Jimmy Manson. station honorary secretary. Following a most suitable vote of thanks from the guild president, Mrs Catherine Fraser, theReverend Webster conducted the service of dedication. The Lady Provost approached the quayside at its conclusion, delivered the time honoured phrase and pressed the button.

The champagne bottle dutifully disintegrated at the feet of the crew gathered on the prow of the lifeboat.

Engines sprang to life, the coxswain turned the boat on a sixpence and, as it approached the boarding point to collect the platform party and special guests, including representatives of Tennent Caledonian Breweries whose generous support of the RNLI continues, the clouds lifted, the rain ceased and the sun broke through. Previously saturated bunting soon started fluttering in the breeze, the canopy of umbrellas came down and guests admired the lifeboat as it left the harbour escorted by small naval craft and the helicopter from HMS Gannet which provided its own unique tribute to the occasion.

The proceedings now over, a welcome cup of tea and light refreshments were generously provided by Tennent Caledonian Breweries and the christening cake was cut.

So ended a day which had emphasised the unique spirit of the RNLI. Only such a close knit family would have so cheerfully overcome the problems and discomfort of the adverse conditions.Fowey, April 26, 1988 Tuesday, April 26 was a glorious day for the handing over ceremony and service of re-dedication of Fowey's new lifeboat.

RNLB Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse II, a Waveney class formerly stationed at Plymouth, where she was launched 181 times, saving 91 lives.

The highly polished lifeboat laid alongside the Town Quay, manned by seven of her crew, the remaining four standing on shore, tending to her mooring ropes.

The ceremony began with music from the Fowey School Band before Fowey's Town Crier heralded the arrival of the platform party.

After the national anthem, Mr Ross Carter, chairman of Fowey and Folkerris Branch, welcomed the more than 400 guests, who included Mr Paul Chilcott, donor of Fowey's former lifeboat, the 33ft Brede class Leonore Chilcott.

Mr Chilcott said that he was pleased to be associated with Fowey and its lifeboat station.

Lt Cdr Jeremy Tetley, a vice president of the RNLI, then handed the Waveney lifeboat into the care of Fowey station branch, for which Captain Roy Pritchard, station honorary secretary, formally accepted her.

The Lord Bishop of Truro, the Right Rev Peter Mumford, conducted the service of re-dedication, assisted by the Rev David Woods, Vicar of Fowey, who led prayers and Mr Peter Martin, Lay Chaplain to the Missions to Seamen, who read the lesson.

Deputy Launching Authority, Captain Bill Benjamin, proposed a vote of thanks to all those involved in organising and helping at the event before Mr Carter brought the ceremony to a close by calling for three cheers for the lifeboat and her crew.

As the lifeboat left the quayside, a Sea King helicopter from RNAS Culdrose 771 Squadron flew past trailing the RNLI flag from its winch wire in salute to the Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse II.

The afternoon ended with refreshments being served in the Town Hall.—GP.