Scarborough man Len Dale caught 'lifeboatmania' some months ago and started fund raising for Scarborough lifeb'oat. Over that period he and his committee have raised several thousand pounds which is to be devoted to alterations to the boathouse to accommodate the new Mersey class lifeboat due at the station next year.

Mr Dale's most ambitious venture took place on 12 November when he organised a 1.000-mile round trip Beaujolais Nouveau run from Scarborough. Five crew members were among the eight-strong party who towed an inshore boat to Beaujolais country to pick up ! 00 bottles of the wine, with a further 600 bottles being transported to the town by lorry Len, who went with the party, had also arranged the loan of two vehicles, ferry passage, accommodation and two receptions in France, as well as fuel for the trip.

The coup de grace was an arrangement with the Beaujolais people to print a special appeal label for the wine, and practically every bottle had been spoken for before the party left the town.

On their return to Scarborough a bottle of wine was presented todeputy mayor. Councillor Lucy Haycock, and a further four bottles to St Catherine's Hospice. Mr Dale said he was well pleased with the trip, which raised approximately £1.000 for the appeal fund.

(Photo Scarborough Evening News).