NEWSPOINT Since the previous issue of THE LIFEBOAT appeared in January the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day has given both young and old the chance to look back at the heroic deeds and sacrifices made to safeguard the freedom we have today.

The part played by lifeboatmen in that struggle was not forgotten, as the account of the RNLI's presence at the events given on this page shows. In less than six years of war lifeboats saved more lives than in the previous eighteen years of peace - and lifeboats launched to friend and foe alike.

During those years lifeboatmen won four British Empire Medals, two Distinguished Service Medals and one George Medal. The Institution itself awarded 204 Medals for Gallantry - including eight Gold Medals.

It is perhaps fitting that the RNLI's Annual Meetings were held not long after VE Day, when the award of two Silver and three Bronze Medals helped to illustrate that the spirit of the lifeboat service continues in times of peace.

The world could hardly be more different now than it was half-a-century ago, yet there are still people willing to risk their lives for no reward other than to save another's life. The number of awards made to longserving fundraisers at the Awards ceremony also illustrates that, fortunately, there are still those who, although precluded in some way or another from actually taking part, are willing to strive mightily to ensure that those who crew modern lifeboats have the boats, the equipment and the financial backing to continue their lifesaving work.RNLI President opens new facilities at Cowes HRH The Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI, faced a packed programme of five engagements in six hours - three of them involving the Institution - when he visited the Isle of Wight on 12 April 1995.

The day began with a visit to Bembridge lifeboat station, where the Duke was welcomed by the Chairman of the RNLI, Sir Michael Vernon and Lt Cdr Brian Miles, director. After meeting members of the Isle of Wight branches and guilds, HRH was escorted along the walkway to the boathouse where Coxswain Martin Woodward presented members of the Bembridge crew and showed the Duke over the station's relief Tyne class lifeboat Owen and Ann Aisher - which had been cleaned and polished until she sparkled the previous evening only for her to be called out for three-and-a-half hours. The crew returned, and started cleaning and polishing all over again! The Duke of Kent next travelled to West Cowes where he opened a new slipway into the River Medina for the Island Youth Water Ac- More Inshore Two additional inshore lifeboats are being added to the RNLI fleet to augment all-weather lifeboats already at the stations concerned.

Extensive efforts were made to find a suitable site for an inshore lifeboat station at Mevagissey, but none could be found. As a result it has been decided to add a D class inflatable to the Waveney already stationed at Fowey - just over six miles away.

MoD small boats have provided valuable support at Weymouth, but when they are withdrawn from Portland at the end of July an Atlantic 21 is to be provided at Weymouth to complement the station's all-weather Arun during the summer months.

tivities Centre. Then a short launch trip across the river took him to the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre to be greeted by Alan Tate, Superintendent of the ILC, in front of the new £1.8m building and staff boatbuilder Steven Simmonds, who presented the royal guest with a wooden plaque he had carved himself.

Sir Michael Vernon began the Opening Ceremony and Dedication by outlining the history of the ILC, where the RNLI has had a presence since the 1930s.

It came into its own in the 1960's with the introduction of the then-new inflatable lifeboats and rapid expansion had led to additional buildings, none of which were custom built for their purpose. The modern new facilities ensure that staff have a safe and efficient working environment and make production and servicing of lifeboats more cost effective.

HRH The Duke of Kent told the audience that he was privileged to play a part in the distinguished history of the inshore lifeboat, and that without the pioneering work carried out at Cowes in the late 60s and early 70s the world would not have the rigid inflatable boat at its disposal. Almost 20,000 lives had been saved by inshore lifeboats which are busier than ever, launching around 3,000 times a year.

After unveiling a commemorative plaque the Duke was escorted round the new facilities, where he met members of staff at work.

The final RNLI engagement of the day was at Yarmouth lifeboat station, where the Duke met coxswain David Lemonius and his crew and presented service certificates to retired coxswain Dave Kennett and three of his former crew.

Although the presentations were made on familiar territory for Dave - the aft deck of his old lifeboat Joy and John Wade- he remained on dry land as David Lemonius put the Arun through her paces for the Duke's benefit.Victory in Europe Day commemorationOn Friday 5 May 1995 the RNLI's Chairman, Sir Michael Vernon and the Director, Lt Cdr Brian Miles, represented the RNLI at the Palace of Westminster where HM the Queen was presented with two addresses from the Houses of Parliament in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe.

On Saturday 6 May five lifeboat veterans and four serving lifeboatmen and shore helpers attended the opening ceremony of the 50th anniversary of VE Day in Hyde Park, London.

Aldeburgh lifeboat station was represented by Billy Burrell BEM, former coxswain, who joined the crew in 1941 at the age of 16, and MauriceSmith, currently the boathouse attendant and formerly tractor driver and crew member.

Margate was represented by former mechanic Alf Lacey BEM, who served throughout the war and John Miller the assistant tractor driver.

Newhaven's representative was former head launcher, Robert Holden, who received a letter of thanks for his part in a 1943 service which resulted in the death of the bowman, Benjamin Clark. The coxswain was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal and the rest of the crew Bronze Medals. Joining him, in contrast, was Newhaven's youngest crew member, 28- year-old Mark Ford.

Poole lifeboat station was represented by Bill Hayes, former second coxswain and Tony Bebbington, the assistant mechanic and last, but not least, Swanage was represented by Albert Hardy, former second coxswain. The veteran lifeboatmen, although not directly involved in the ceremony, represented all that the lifeboat crews did during the war and still do today.

In a similar vein, the Chairman and Director were guests at the national commemoration service in St Paul's Cathedral the following day, and the Director went on to the heads of state ceremony.

Lifeboatmen, including those from Mudeford and Poole, also proudly represented the lifeboat service at local services throughout the country.

During the war years lifeboats launched 3,760 times and saved 6,376 lives - an average of 21 a week - and thirteen lifeboatmen lost their lives.The Lifeboat on audio tape This issue of THE LIFEBOAT is also available on audio tape.

The RNLI has arranged a pilot scheme in conjunction with Talking Newspapers to gauge demand for the journal in this format. Members can receive the audio tape version free of charge, although as there is a small charge to the RNLI some recipients may wish to make a small donation to cover the additional costs.

Initially two issues will be made available on tape and, if there is sufficient demand, consideration will be given to providing an audio version of all subsequent issues.

If you, or anyone you know, would like to receive The Lifeboat on a C90 audio tape please write to the Editor, The Lifeboat, RNLI West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ quoting the recipient's membership number.

To minimise costs the Institution will be using reusable cassettes, and it is most important that members receiving their journal on tape return the cassettes to Talking Newspapers after use to avoid a charge to the Institution.Busiest year on record for lifeboats When the statistics for 1994 were announced at the RNLI's Annual Meetings - see report page 4 - they revealed that more calls on the RNLI's services were made in 1994 than ever before.

Lifeboat launches reached an all-time high at 6,119 (up just over 7% from 5,711 in 1993) and the number of people receiving assistance from RNLI lifeboats was also at a record level. 1,624 lives were saved (up more than23%on!993)and959 people who might otherwise have been in danger were landed (up more than 21%).

Although total income was 4.5% up on 1993 at £64.66m expenditure on new lifeboats and equipment was higher by some 84% and legacy income - which accounts for more than 60% of the RNLI's total income - fell by 4%.Committee of Management Two new members have been appointed to the RNLI's Committee of Management The Rt Hon Lord Wakeham has a long history in politics, having most recently been Leader of the House of Lords from 1992 to 1994.

Previously he had been, among many other positions; Lord Privy Seal, Leader of the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Maldon in Essex.

He is a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron and lists sailing and farming among his recreations.

Col Ian R. Bryce TD DL FCA is Deputy Lieutenant for Humberside and is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club. Col Bryce has been chairman of the Bridlington station branch committee since 1991 and is chairman of the Humber Lifeboat Appeal.Scarborough shield Scarborough lifeboat station has introduced its own shield - to be awarded annually to the person who has contributed most to the station during the year. The shield was recently awarded, for the first time, to second mechanic Claud Sharp, who has many years of service as a crew member at Bridlington, Filey and Scarborough.

Mr Sharp was recently awarded a long service badge along with emergency mechanic Pete Harrington and crew member John Pearson..