- Tyne class Mary The little town of Portpatrick, situated on the south western edge of Scotland, provided a picturesque setting for the naming ceremony of its new 47ft Tyne class lifeboat Mary Irene Millar on Friday, 19 May 1989.

On the day preparations were well under way from the early hours. Everyone had a job to do as chairs were set out, flags hung.

refreshments prepared and final security checks made.

Well before the appointed time the scene was set and the town ready to greet guests from far and wide.

Lifeboat crew members from Salcombe, Donaghadee and Troon, as well as neighbouring lifeboat stations, joined with the people of Portpatrick and many other supporters, friends and holidaymakers.

Schoolchildren lined the harbour walls, waving flags, and sea cadets formed a smart guard of honour. Lively music played by the Stranraer Youth Band and the kilted Stranraer Pipe Band entertained everyone until Princess Alexandra arrived, elegantly dressed in a cream suit and picture hat. It no longer seemed to matter that the skies were overcast.

Six-year-old Jamie Erskine, son of Coxswain Robert Erskine, delighted everyone as, with great aplomb, he presented a posy of flowers and a painting of the new lifeboat to Princess Alexandra - and the ceremony was under way.

Dr Alistair Baird, chairman of Portpatrick station branch, introduced Dr Michael Thompson, nephew of the late Mrs Mary Irene Millar, the main donor of the lifeboat.

Dr Thompson handed the lifeboat over to the RNLI and she was accepted on the Institution's behalf by the Duke of Atholl. He thenhanded her over to the care of Portpatrick lifeboat station and the lifeboat was accepted by Mr Hugh Harvie, the station honorary secretary.

A service of dedication followed, led by the Reverend Thomas McGill assisted by Miss Yvonne Jamieson.

Dr Baird then invited Princess Alexandra to name the lifeboat. She said 'I know the station means a great deal to all of you and I have heard of the many devoted volunteers who work so hard to keep the station running...

I know you all welcome this new boat which will enable you to carry on the outstanding service which has been maintained hereforover 100 years... I name this lifeboat Mary Irene Millar, may God bless her and all who sail in her'.

After a rousing three cheers, led by Mr Tony Course, divisional inspector Scotland South the Princess went on board the new lifeboat and was introduced to the crew before taking a short sea trip.

Afterwards, in the village hall, the Princess cut a magnificent cake depicting the new lifeboat and spoke to the families of the crew, members of the station branch and ladies' guild and many of the guests gathered in the hall where a magnificent spread of refreshments had been set out, cooked and served by the ladies' guild.

The Princess left an hour later than had been scheduled, but she had certainly made Portpatrick' s proudest day especially memorable.

HDThe Lizard - Tyne class David Robinson Cliffs smothered with bluebells and primroses, a flat calm sea and bright sunshine provided the backdrop to Britain's most southerly lifeboat station on 13 May 1989 for the naming of the Lizard's Tyne class lifeboat David Robinson.

The new boat was funded by the legacy of Sir David Robinson, one of the RNLI' s most generous benefactors. In his lifetime he provided a new lifeboat for Penlee following the tragic loss of the Cornish lifeboat in 1981 (named Mabel Alice in memory of his wife) and also a new boat for Buckie, Banffshire, Charles Brown.

The ceremony at The Lizard began after LisaHocking, the great granddaughter of the Lizard's oldest living lifeboatman, Gordon Roberts, aged 91, presented a bouquet and souvenir programme to Mrs Jean Baker, daughter of Sir David, who was to name the boat.

Dr Peter Cuff, chairman of the Lizard station branch, opened the proceedings before Mrs Baker handed the lifeboat into the care of the Institution on whose behalf she was accepted by Lt Cdr Jeremy Tetley, a vice president of the RNLI.

Mr Peter Greenslade, the honorary secretary, then accepted the boat on behalf of the station.The service of dedication was led by the Reverend Donald Knight, honorary chaplain to the Lizard lifeboat. He was assisted by Reverend J.D. Roberts, Mission to Seamen andSupt Minister Reverend D.Forway. Music was provided by the Gweek Band together with the St Keverne Male Voice Choir.

Mrs Bakernamed the lifeboat David Robinson in the traditional way, and accompanied by Lt Cdr Brian Miles, director of the RNLI and other guests, she boarded the lifeboat which was launched from the slipway. This coincided with a flypast by a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose.

Mrs Baker was later presented with a photograph of the lifeboat signed by the crew.

RTBarmouth -D class Friday, 12 May 1989 saw the handing over of the new D class lifeboat at Barmouth.

The lifeboat has been entirely funded from the proceeds of various sponsored sporting events undertaken by schools throughout Wales and organised by Sports Perception Ltd.

Following the national anthems, Lt Cdr Nicky Richards, president of Barmouth lifeboat station welcomed those present and Captain Hugh Fogarty, deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats West described the boat.

Kelvin Juba, representing Sports Perception Ltd then handed her over to the RNLI, represented at the ceremony by Anthony Oliver, head of fund raising, who in turn passed the lifeboat into the care of Lt Col Colin Walker, honorary secretary of Barmouth lifeboat station.

A service of dedication then followed, conducted by the Reverend Philip Flavell, Rector of Barmouth.

Trearddur Bay - D class Seahorse On a bright blustery morning of Saturday, 13 May local people, holidaymakers and invited guests witnessed the handing over ceremony of the D class lifeboat Seahorse, provided by the funds of Lloyds Bank, City of London branch.

Lord Stanley, member of the committee of management, chairman of the fundraising committee and president of Holyhead and Trearddur Bay lifeboat stations, was introduced by Dr Tudor Lloyd, branch chairman, and accepted the lifeboat from Mike Bailey, manager of the Holyhead branch of Lloyds Bank.

The lifeboat was described by Captain Hugh Fogarty, deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats West and it was then placed in the hands of Trearddur Bay lifeboat station and its honorary secretary, Malcolm Burnell.

A service of dedication was conducted by the Reverend James Ashely Roberts, Rector of Holyhead.

The lifeboat was then launched and with a Wessex helicopter from RAF Valley gave a demonstration of a combined air/sea rescue.

Mike Bailey and Arthur Kemp from Lloyds Bank were then taken afloat, only to find themselves in a real rescue.

Frantic waves from the occupants of a fishing boat were spotted by the lifeboat crew and the lifeboat towed the fishing boat and its occupants into Trearddur Bay.

RPThe new D class lifeboat at Pwllheli, The Lion , a gift from District 105 BS of Lions Clubs International, was formally handed over and dedicated at the station on 29 April 1989.

Lt Col R.E. Thomas QBE, chairman of Pwllheli lifeboat station, opened the proceedings and after Captain Hugh Fogarty, deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats West had described the lifeboat, Lions' District Governor John Barratt handed her into the care of the RNLI.

The lifeboat was accepted by the Lord Stanley of Alderley, a member of the Institution's com- mittee of management and chairman of the fundraising committee who, in turn, handed the boat into the care of Mr J.D. Williams, station honorary secretary.

The service of dedication was conducted by the Reverend R.F. Donaldson, vicar of Pwllheli, assisted by the Reverend D. Williams and the Reverend A.M. Roberts.

Among the invited guests was Lady Olwen Carey Evans DBE, only surviving daughter of Lloyd George and honorary life governor of the Institution.Kippford-D class 41 Club II Easter Monday, 27 March 1989, saw the arrival in Kippford of national representatives of the 41 Club - more correctly known as The Association of Ex-Tablers' Clubs - to hand over and name the second of three D class lifeboats funded by the organisation to commemorate its 41st anniversary.

A fine but cool day greeted the throng of visitors and supporters who had gathered around the lifeboat which was drawn up on the slipway.

With the branch chairman Colonel Dinwiddie officiating, Mr Tom Hodge, vice president of the association, handed the boat over to Lady Polwarth who was representing the Scottish Lifeboat Council.

Following most fitting comments from both .worthy personages, Mr Bill Brydson, honorary secretary of Kippford lifeboat station, accepted the boat before Mrs Evelyn Hodge named her 41 Club II. KT Howth - D class The handing over ceremony of the new D class lifeboat at Howth took place on Monday, 27 February 1989.

The lifeboat, a gift of the Guinness family which had requested donations in lieu of flowers following the death of Mr John Guinness, was handed over to Mr Norman Wilkinson, honorary chairman of Howth lifeboat station branch by Mr Clayton Love Jnr. vice president and chairman of the Irish Members of Committee of Management.

The family had requested a simple ceremony and a plaque was erected in the lifeboat house..