Silloth - Atlantic 75 Spirit of Cumbria and new lifeboat house St Bees - new lifeboat house Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent had a busy two days in October when, during a tour of Cumbria, she named one lifeboat and opened two new boathouses as well as going afloat and attending a branch fund raising function.

Bright sunshine greeted Her Royal Highness at St Bees where many had gathered to welcome her. She opened the new boathouse before making a personal inspection of the vastly improved facilities the building provides for both crew and fundraisers. Later that day Her Royal Highness attended a fundraising reception organised by Penrith branch.

At Workington, Her Royal Highness made presentations of a gold badge and long service award before touring the boathouse that was filled with people keen to answer her questions about their work for the RNLI. Fortunately, the lifeboat was positioned outside ready and waiting to take Her Royal Highness on a short trip afloat. In spite of the blustery conditions, she took the helm and clearly enjoyed the experience.

It was too much to hope that the rain would hold off for the whole of the two days and the hundreds of people awaiting the Royal party at Silloth on 11 October 1995 were well and truly wet by the time Her Royal Highness arrived.

Within minutes, though, it had stopped and the naming ceremony for the new Atlantic 75 lifeboat and opening of the new boathouse was able to proceed.

The cost of the lifeboat was met by Lake district branch, which raised £20,000 with a special appeal, while inSilloth the crew, station branch and financial branch worked together on a 12 month appeal that raised over £41,000 and neighbouring Carlisle branch gave support with a special event during the year.

It was therefore with great pride that the station chairman, Mr Bill Irving welcomed the hundreds of guests to the ceremony. Mrs Louie Rigby, chairman of Lake district branch jointly handed over the boat to Sir Michael Vernon, chairman of the RNLI. The lifeboat was accepted into the safekeeping of Silloth lifeboat station by honorary secretary, Captain Chris Puxley.

A service of dedication was led by the Reverend Mike Heslop before Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent addressed the gathering, speaking of her great pride and pleasure in learning how this par-ticular lifeboat had been funded. Her Royal Highness named the lifeboat Spirit of Cumbria which launched for a demonstration before Her Royal Highness cut a christening cake and the new lifeboat was toasted by all.Rock - D class Dolly Holloway After a year's evaluation trials which have seen lifeboats from the relief fleet in action 66 times, Rock's first lifeboat of its own was named in a ceremony at the station - in the Camel Estuary opposite Padstow - on the afternoon of 15 October 1995.

Mr Peter Smith, Chairman of the Branch opened the proceedings and welcomed the large number of supporters present before Mr Michael Holloway presented the new lifeboat to the RNLI.

The local Committee had decided to run an appeal for not only the new boat but also the boathouse. On the evening the appeal was launched, Mr Holloway had surprised everyone by announcing he would like to fund the boat in memory of his mother who had first bought a cottage in the area over 60 years ago.

Mr Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fundraisingand marketing, received the new lifeboat and handed her into the care of the station honorary secretary, Mr Bernard Rush. The Vicar of St Minver, Reverend Peter Frowley, dedicated the new lifeboat before James Tyrwhitt- Drake, the deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats for the south, expressed a vote of thanks to everyone who had made the day possible.

Mr Holloway then named the lifeboat Dolly Holloway before she was launched and put through her paces.Relief - Atlantic 75 Lucy Beryl The Inshore Lifeboat Centre at East Cowes was the setting for the handing over and naming ceremony of the Atlantic 75 lifeboat B709 Lucy Beryl on 30 October 1995. This lifeboat, destined for the relief fleet, was funded from the generous bequest of Mrs Lucy Beryl Stephenson of Yorkshire.

Alan Tate, superintendent of the Inshore Lifeboat Centre welcomed the guests and described the lifeboat and its future role before the Reverend Keith Town, nephew of the late Arthur and Beryl Stephenson handed over the lifeboat to the RNLI. Mr Town spoke of his uncle's work over very many years for the Ordnance Survey and how, with his Aunt, the couple had spent a considerable time travelling in Scotland when they must have often come in contact with the work of the RNLI.

The lifeboat was received into the RNLI relief fleet by Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fundraising and marketing before the Reverend Stuart Cleaver, Priest-in-charge of Whippingham and East Cowes conducted the service of dedication.

The ceremony concluded with the lifeboat being named Lucy Beryl by Mr Robert Davies, a friend and neighbour of the late Beryl Stephenson.Courtmacsherry - Trent class Frederick Store]/ CockburnThe naming and blessing of Courtmacsherry's new HfeboatFrederidt Storey Cockburn will forever linger in the memories of those who attended this unique occasion. The new £l.lm Trent class attracted a massive attendance of some 2,000 people, but the day was further excited by the presence of international composer Phil Coulter. Following the opening speech by Father Martin O'Driscoll, Mrs Janet Quinn, closest living relative of Frederick Storey Cockburn, handed the lifeboat into the care of the RNLI.

Sir Michael Vernon, chairman of the RNLI, officially accepted the new lifeboat on behalf of the institution, saying that the RNLI was deeply indebted to the late Mr Cockburn for his most generous legacy which provided the major part of the funding. Before handing the lifeboat over to Courtmacsherry station, Sir Michael said he was honoured that Mrs Quinn, closest relative to the late Mr Cockburn was present for the ceremony.

The honorary secretary ofCourtmacsherry lifeboat station, Des Bateman, gratefully accepted the lifeboat and a blessing ceremony was conducted by Reverend Father Richard Hurley, Reverend Ronnie Clark and Reverend Mr Dowse. Mr Barry O'Flynn, chairman of the Courtmacsherry fundraising committee proposed a vote of thanks.At the close of the ceremony, the boat was named by Mrs Mary Dwyer. Honoured that she had been requested to name the lifeboat, she said that she was here as a representative of the huge band of fundraisers throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom without whom, occasions such as this would not be possible.

The traditional breaking of the champagne met with great applause as Frederick Storey Cockburn slipped her moorings and gave a short demonstration in the harbour.Hayling Island - Atlantic 75 Betty Battle and new lifeboat house On 13 September 1995, Hayling Island, Hampshire, was the setting for a dual ceremony - the opening of a new lifeboat house and the official naming of a new lifeboat.

It was exactly 130 years after the original opening ceremony and dedication of Hayling's first lifeboat Olive Leaf, and among the 300 guests were descendants of many of those who brought lifeboats to Hayling or were past lifeboatmen.

In his opening speech Roy Smith, chairman of the Hayling branch, welcomed the descendants and guests.

Prominent amongst these was the patron of the appeal, David Sandeman, a member of the distinguished family of port producers. David Sandeman's great great grandfather, George Glas Sandeman supported the original siting of a lifeboat house at Hayling and provided the refreshments after the dedication in 1865. Mr Sandeman formally handed over the lifeboat station to the RNLI and paid tribute to the appeal committee and its supporters who had raised £115,000 towards the cost of the building.

The new Atlantic 75 lifeboat Betty Battle, donated by Derek and Betty Battle of Ashted branch, was handed over to the RNLI by Derek Battle. He praised the courage of the crewmen and said that both he and Betty shared a great admiration for lifeboatmen.

Commander Michael Woodroffe, the RNLI's deputy chief of operations, accepted the lifeboat station and lifeboat on behalf of the Institution and formally presented them to Brian Reed, the station honorary secretary of Hayling Island station branch.

The lifeboat, in service since June, had already been called out 23 times and had saved five lives. The new lifeboat station had been purpose built to house the Atlantic 75 and a D class lifeboat and provide improved crew changing facilities, office and training room. The lifeboat station has been awarded the Havant Borough Council's 1995 Design Award.

A moving service of dedication was conducted by Reverend McManus, Chaplain of Hayling lifeboat station, with music from Ditcham Park School Orchestra.

After the service Dr. Graham Lowe, chairman of the Hayling Island lifeboat station appeal, proposed a vote of thanks to the many people who had contributed.

The celebrations concluded with David Sandeman cutting the ribbon to open the lifeboat house and Mrs Betty Battle pouring champagne over the bow of the lifeboat, which was then launched and put through her paces in the waters of Chichester Harbour.Buckie - New lifeboat house Despite wet weather, many visitors joined the local lifeboat community to see Buckle's new boathouse officially opened on 26 August 1995. The Hon. Mrs Henry Douglas- Home, a vice convener of the Scottish Lifeboat Council, cut the ribbon on the new shore facility and berth which cost in the region of a quarter of a million pounds.

Receiving the boathouse on behalf of the RNLI was Mr Andrew Cubie, vice chairman of the RNLI's fundraising committee; other guests included Mr J. MacPherson, Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire; Local MP, Mrs Margaret Ewing and representatives of the local Council.

Buckie lifeboat station is celebrating its 135th anniversary this year. The first lifeboat house sited at the West End of the Harbour cost just £140, since then the Buckie lifeboat has had four homes. The previous boathouse, used by the crew since 1960, was an asbestos shed best known for its cramped space and total lack of home comforts. The new building is well equipped and is ready to take Buckie lifeboat station into the 21st century. Since Buckie lifeboat station was established in 1860, the lifeboats have launched 248 times and saved 197 lives.

Buckle's present lifeboat is the 52ft Arun class lifeboat Charles Brown which has been on station since 1983, having launched 118 times and saved the lives of 34 people.A September of ceremonies...

Relief - Atlantic 75 O.EM Stone, New Quay - D class Corydd Borth - D class May Little and Broad Haven - D class Sybil Conwy - D class Arthur Bate It was a busy September in Wales, with four naming ceremonies held in the first five days of the month, with two more following just days later! As the long hot Summer continued the second naming ceremony in just over a year took place at Aberystwyth on the first of the month.

The previous occasion had been for the station's new Atlantic 75, this time it was the setting for the ceremony of a relief Atlantic 75. The new lifeboat was named at Aberystwyth because not only was she carrying out her first relief duty but the donor could make the journey from her home in South Yorkshire to undertake the journey in one day. Driven by Julie Mounty, the area organiser for the North East and accompanied by two friends, the donor, Miss Olive Stone, was greeted by a small band of supporters for what was intended as an almost private occasion.

The local branch chairman, Dr John Turner welcomed everyone before Miss Stone handed over the boat and spoke of her early encounters with the sea on the River Humber. Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fundraising and marketing received the boat for use in the relief fleet before the Archdeacon of Cardigan the Venerable Hywel Jones dedicated her.

Before naming the new lifeboat O.E.M Stone, Miss Stone surprised everyone by announcing she would like the boat to have a twin sister - and handed over a cheque for £11,000 to fund a new D class lifeboat. The lifeboat was then launched and put through her paces much to the delight of the onlookers.

The following day, dawned bright and clear for the naming ceremony of the new D class lifeboat at New Quay, Dyfed.

Captain David Brown, the branch chairman welcomed the guests and supporters to the ceremony in front of the boathouse before George Rawlinson, the divisional inspector of lifeboats described the boat.

Mr Nigel Beavan, Senior Vicars Choral, St Pauls Cathedral, representing the donors, Sinclair Roche & Temperley, a firm of London solicitors, then handed over the lifeboat. This was the second D class funded from the proceeds of a concert entitled 'Stronger than the Storm' held in St Pauls Cathedral in June 1994 to celebrate not only the firm's 60th Anniversary but also the Centenary of the City of London Branch. The new lifeboat was received by Anthony Oliver who handed her into the care of Mr Dennis Leworthy, the station secretary.

The Reverend Gabe Davies, Rector of New Quay assisted by MrEilwyn Jones, Presbyterian Minister conducted the Service of Dedication before Mrs Jackie Beavan named the lifeboat Corydd - the Welsh for Chorister.

Sunday 3 September 1995 dawned wet and stormy, but fortunately as the ceremony to name the new D class at Borthwas opened by Mr Tom Raw-Rees, branch chairman the rains stopped and the large crowd was able to enjoy the proceedings in relative comfort.

Mr George Rawlinson described the lifeboat before Dr May Reed, who had donated the funds for the new craft presented her to the Institution. She was accepted by Anthony Oliver who in turn handed the boat over to the station Secretary, Mr Ronald Davies. The Vicar of Borth, the Reverend David Francis dedicated the lifeboat before Mr Aran Morris, former Honorary secretary of the branch invited Dr Reed to name the boat May. The ceremony concluded with the lifeboat being launched in somewhat lively conditions before all present enjoyed a splendid tea provided by the ladies guild.

For the fourth ceremony on Tuesday 5 September the weather returned to Summer- like conditions when in front of a large crowd the new D class lifeboat was named at Little and Broad Haven.

The proceedings were opened by Mr Elson Phillips, Branch Chairman following which George Rawlinson described the new boat. Mr Anthony Baker, a Trustee of The Pennycress Trust, donors of the new lifeboat then presented her to Anthony Oliver who accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI.

Mr Chris Whitby, the station's new honorary secretary received the boat for use on the station and the Reverend Brendon O'Malley, Rector of Walton West then conducted the service of dedication.

The branch president, Colonel Peter Ho wells then invited Mrs Vivienne Baker to name the lifeboat Sybil after the late Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley who had set up The Pennycress Trust. The ceremony once again concluded with the lifeboat being put through her paces and another good tea arranged by the ladies guild.

Just four days later, on 9 September 1995, the handing over ceremony and service of dedication of yet another new D class inshore lifeboat took place, this time in Conwy Harbour before a large gathering of people.

The lifeboat D482, was named Arthur Bate at the ceremony performed by Miss Joan Bate, sister of the late Mr Arthur Bate whose legacy provided the lifeboat.

Lt Cdr Brian Miles, director, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI and placed her into the care of Conwy lifeboat station.

After the ceremony, Arthur Bate launched and gave a demonstration in the harbour.

A sixth naming ceremony was leld at Rhyl on 10 September, but details were not available at the time of going to press and a report will appear in a subsequent issue of THE LIFEBOAT..