Saturday 16 October 1993 saw the naming ceremony and service of dedication of the new Mersey class Girvan lifeboat Silvia Burrell, a truly remarkable occasion for the lifeboat community of Girvan, as well as the famous Burrell family. Around 600 invited guests attended the ceremony, which was combined with the opening of the new boathouse.

Miss Silvia Burrell, who died in January 1992 aged 92, was involved with the RNLI for many years and was perhaps best known for knitting mittens for lifeboat crews - she had knitted almost 400 pairs when failing eyesight forced her to stop. Miss Burrell's generous bequest of £680,000 provided the new Girvan lifeboat which was named in her honour by Mrs Sue Stephen, a god-daughter of Miss Burrell.

Almost 50 members of the Burrell family braved the biting cold to attend the ceremony, coming from all parts of Great Britain and Ireland to hear Mrs Stephens pay tribute to this truly remarkable lady. Also taking part in the ceremony were His Grace the Duke of Atholl, Mr Caird Wilson ws, Captain North Hamilton-Dalrymple, Colin McKechnie and Mrs Vi Bone. The new boathouse was handed over to the RNLI by Sandy Grant Gordon, representing all donors, and was accepted by Archie MacKenzie.

Pictured (from left to right) are Archie MacKenzie, chairman of the executive committee of the Scottish Lifeboat Council and member of the committee of management, second coxswain Stuart Moffat, Mrs Sue Stephen, His Grace the Duke of Atholl, convener of the Scottish Lifeboat Council, Sandy Grant Gordon, Coxswain Roddy Leitch.Trearddur Bay - Dedication of lifeboat station The gales abated, the rain ceased and the sun eventually shone for this out-ofseason dedication on 5 February 1994.

The ladies of Holyhead WI led the singing of the national anthems.

Squadron Leader Chris Taylor MBE, chairman of Trearddur Bay station branch welcomed over 200 guests and invited The Lord Stanley of Alderley, member of the Institution's committee of management and chairman of its fundraising committee, to unveil the plaque and hand over the keys of the lifeboathouse to Dave Turnbull, station honorary secretary.

A service of dedication followed conducted by the Reverend J. Nice and assisted by the Reverend R.F. Capon and Father Brian De Burca.

Squadron Leader Taylor invited Lady Stanley to officially declare the lifeboat station open and cut the ribbon. Lady Stanley was then presented with a bouquet by Stephanie Hughes, daughter of crew member Alan Hughes.

Finally, guests were invited to inspect the lifeboathouse and take refreshments.

A salute by a Search and Rescue helicopter from C Right 22 Squadron, RAF Valley, brought guests rushing outside - and while outside they discovered the new RNLI shop open for the first time! Committee members from Holyhead ladies' guild soon mastered the new cash register and almost £200 was safely in the till. RPRelief Fleet - D class Sharpes Classic All Seasons In a ceremony which took place about as far away from the sea as you can get, a new lifeboat was handed over and dedicated and a cheque to cover its cost was presented to the RNLI.

The ceremony took place during the Gift Fair held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham on Wednesday 9 February 1994.

A cheque for £15,204.65 was handed over by Mike Bugler, managing director of W.N. Sharpe, who also presented the new D class lifeboat for use in the relief fleet.

The lifeboat and cheque were received by Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fundraising and marketing, who described the future role of the lifeboat. The Reverend Trevor Lockwood, National Exhibition Centre group chaplain, then dedicated the lifeboat before Mr Bugler named her Sharpes Classic All Seasons, This is the second year of support by W.N. Sharpe - last year £16,260 was raised for general funds, the money coming from the sale of personalised greetings cards.

Mr Bugler is pictured (right) presenting the cheque to Anthony Oliver, the RNLI's deputy head of fundraising and marketing.

Photo Post Studios.