The Annual Meetings The RNLI's Annual General Meeting and Annual Presentation of Awards for 1997 will again take place in the Barbican Hall, London.

The meetings will be held on Thursday 15 May, the AGM at 1130 and the APA at 1430. As in 1996, both events take place in the same hall and a registration system will be used to allocate tickets on a first-come first served basis.

Governors should have already received vouchers for their AGM tickets with the Winter 1996/97 issue of The Lifeboat If you have not yet received your voucher, please contact the RNLI AGM office at the headquarters address. Don't forget, all RNLI supporters are welcome to attend the APA in the afternoon, this is by ticket only so please contact the AGM office to reserve your place.

Change at Sennen. . .

Sennen Cove lifeboat station is to be allocated Tyne class lifeboat Norman Salvesen, which will replace its current Mersey class The Four Boys.

The Tyne class is longer than the Mersey, has greater displacement and additional power - capable of 17.6 knots rather than 16 knots. These qualities will help when launching from the slipway into the heavy seas likely to be encountered off Lands End. It has only now become possible to station a Tyne class at Sennen Cove due to the successful dredging of the channel.

. . .and Falmouth Falmouth lifeboat station has been allocated the first production model Severn class lifeboat, The Will, (which was originally destined for Stornoway and then allocated to the relief fleet) as a temporary station lifeboat. The decision was in response to a request from the station, which is due to have a new Severn in the next few years. The Will has a top speed of 25 knots making her 7 knots faster than Falmouth's Arun class, Elizabeth Ann.

N E W S P O I NT In this issue of The Lifeboat it is possible to see the first signs of the impact the new classes of 25-knot lifeboats will have.

RNLI lifeboats are already committed to covering an area within 50 miles of our coasts, and the Institution intends that the time taken to reach this outer limit should be reduced still further-to reach virtually any point in around two-and-a-half hours in fair weather by the year 2000.

We are already seeing this kind of response where new Trents and Severns are on station - Fowey's Trent out to 50 miles in two-and-a - quarter hours and, reported in this issue, Harwich's Severn out 51 miles in just half-an-hour more - but in a Force 9! Yet another facet of speed is the ability to cover greater distances in a given time, and Valentia's Severn has already been 80 miles offshore.

However, in this issue of the magazine, Eyemouth's Trent claims the new Fast Afloat Boat record with an astonishing 100 miles out into the North Sea - the Trents and Severns are now fully on stream, and they are indeed having an impact.Watermark success Watermark, the Mail Order catalogue of RNLI (Sales), has some exciting news - the winner of its Christmas crossword competition and the company's record breaking sales last year.

The winner of the competition, Mrs Silverlock of West Sussex, was by picked by recent medalwinning coxswain, Chris Haw of Swanage lifeboat after he carefully sifted through the thousands of entries at the station on 6 January 1997. The competition included a tie-breaker in which entrants were asked to complete the line 1 like to support the RNLI because...' - Mrs Silverlock's winning entry finished the sentence with '...those wonderful men rely on us, just as we rely on them.' The prize, a superb Mediterranean cruise aboard Black Watch with luxury accommodation, was kindly donated by Fred Olsen Travel.

Inshores go orange The RNLI has recently announced that all its new inshore lifeboats will be built using orange hypalon - which will improve visibility by at least 20%. The change has been made possible by improved materials - the orange is now as durable as the old-style grey.

Repainting the entire inshore fleet would be expensive so the colour will be introduced gradually - a complete colour change for the Atlantic fleet is expected to take some 16 years and up to 10 years for the D and Y class fleets! The Lifeboat on audio tape The Lifeboat is also available on audio tape in conjunction with Talking Newspapers.

The audio tape version is free, although recipients may wish to make a donation to cover the additional costs involved.

To receive The Lifeboat on a C90 audio tape please write to The Editor, The Lifeboat, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH151HZ.Another little tipple Over the past few years Mr Young, an RNLI supporter from California, has made a donation to the Institution specifically to buy all the lifeboat stations Famous Grouse whisky.

All stations have received whisky and now the distribution is on the 'second run'. Bottles were recently delivered to crews in the west division - "from Minehead to Barmouth.

Bembridge lifeboat provided as the result of a tragedy Two Britons and two Americans tragically murdered on board the sailing vessel Computacenter Challenger while in Antiguan coastal waters in 1994, were remembered in Bembridge on 28 September.

A fund set up as a reward for information was not used fully and all the families agreed that the money should be used to fund a D class lifeboat, named in memory of Ian Cridland and Tom Williams.

Reverend Andrew Menniss, assisted by Reverend Trembath conducted a service of dedication at which prayers were said in memory of the four who were so tragically lost.

The lifeboat was named Criddy and Tom by Beverley Williams, mother of Tom, together with Sue Killick, partner of 'Criddy'.RNLI scoops two golds! In December 1996, the RNLI was presented with two prestigious Gold awards by the Royal Mail/ DMA for direct marketing fundraising activities.

These awards recognise successful and costeffective advertising. Beating hundreds of entries, both from other charities and 'household name' companies, the RNLI scooped first place twice winning gold in the categories of 'door-to-door' and 'innovation', for work with door drops that recruit new supporters, and advertising in the national press.

The awards were made at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 9 December 1997, and the photograph (right) shows Edward Wake- Walker, the RNLI's head of public relations, together withDerek Humphries, managing director of Burnett Associates (the RNLI's advertising agency), accepting the advertising award (for the 'weather report' type advertisements) from the comedienne and compere Ruby Wax.

The other gold award was presented to Geraldine Cetin, RNLI supporter recruitment manager.RNLI gets netted! By now many readers will have heard about the Internet, and its rapid growth over the past few years. The RNLI has decided it is now worthwhile to have its own Internet home page. The RNLI's official home page includes information on the RNLI and its work - the address is: www.rnli.org.uk The RNLI is happy for lifeboat stations, regions, branches and other representatives to include information about themselves on the Internet, but the site must conform with the RNLI corporate identity, be legal and accurate and be correctly linked to the official home page of the Institution.

Should anyone wish to set up any new information or representation of the RNLI on the Internet, please send ypur proposal to the head of public relations at the headquarters address.

Top ten site for Burry Port Crew member and Internet enthusiast Ryan Griffiths has already created a web site for the Burry Port lifeboat station. The site received the accolade of being one of the top ten new UK web sites, along with the Internet sites of David Bowie and Coronation Street! The site contains information about the station, its history and many other features including photographs and an interactive rescue chart. You can visit the site at the following address: www.ndirect.co.uk/~rgriffiths/rnli.htmGiles named at Porthcawl's new station Porthcawl was blessed with a clear sunny day on 7 September 1996 when Anthony Clarke, nephew of famous cartoonist and RNLI supporter Carl Giles, named the stations new Atlantic 75 lifeboat, Giles. The event which was attended by some 400 guests, also involved the opening of the new lifeboat house by Man/ Hastie, wife of Bob Hastie member of the RNLI committee of management who attended on behalf of the Institution.

Following a service of dedication, Giles launched and gave a demonstration to the guests prior to tea and refreshments.Still more at Chatham...

The 'Lifeboat!' gallery at the Historic Dockyard at Chatham has been awarded a commendation by The Society for the Interpretation of Britain's Heritage.

The award, for 1996, comes in the very first year of the display which opened on 25 May last year.

The gallery also made its television debut when it was the South East venue for the Children in Need appeal last November.

• Two exciting new exhibits will be on show in 'Lifeboat!' this year. By the time this issue of The Lifeboat Is distributed Waveney 44-001 should be on display and the 'sectioning' of the L 38ft Oakley Will and Fanny Kirby (ex- Flamborough and Seaham) should also have been completed.

• 44-001, unnamed throughout her life, was the first of her class, she was built in the US to an American Coastguard design and was the prototype for the UK-built boats. She takes her place as the first of the RNLI's fast lifeboats, while the opening up of the Oakley will enable visitors to see the workings of the unique water-ballast self-righting system and view other previously hidden areas such as the engine room.

From above The aerial photographs of lifeboat stations, run in The Lifeboat under the 'High Seas' banner has not only proved very popular, it has also been very profitable! Hunting Aerofilms are making prints available to readers at a special price - and making a donation to HNLI funds at the same time.

So far the most popular stations have been: 1st Humber; 2nd Weymouth; 3rd Barrow and 4th St Ives.

The photos in this - and past - issues can be obtained from Hunting Aerofilms at Gate Studios, Station Road, Borehamwood, Herts WD6 1EJquoting the reference number shown under each photo. Sizes and prices are given in previous issues.

D class lifeboat named at Holyhead D class lifeboat Spirit of Bedworth and Nuneaton was dedicated at the new Holyhead facilities, Newry Beach on 19 October 1996.

The lifeboat was the second to be donated from the proceeds of a civic appeal in 1994 and 1995 at Nuneaton and Bedworth.

Representatives from Nuneaton, Clive Plummer, Chairman; Bob Bates, honorary secretary; and Councillor Bob Copeland, Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth, during the appeal handed the lifeboat to the Rt. Hon. The Lord Stanley of Alderley.

John Parry, station honorary secretary, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of Holyhead lifeboat station. After the religious service conducted by The Reverend Gareth Parry, and The Reverend John McDermott, Mrs Jennifer Bates named the lifeboat.

Cover story at Portrush As Portrush-based photographer Colin Watson is also the secretary of the RNLI's Banbridge branch in Northern Ireland it is hardly surprising that lifeboat photos figure largely in his work.

Twenty years ago Colin had his first 'cover', when his picture of the Watson class Lady Scott entering Portrush Harbour adorned the Spring 1977 issue of The Lifeboat.

Aboard her at the time were bowman Billy Lees (who died last Christmas) and crew members Noel Black (now retired) and John Scott, who is now the station's honorary secretary.

For some time Colin harboured the idea of recapturing the scene, and just as 1997 dawned he managed it...

The harbour wall looks unchanged - apart from a few missing railings - but the two decades between the exposures show the changes in the lifeboat service during that time.

The station lifeboat has become the Arun class Richard Evans and the bowman has become 'bowlady' Kelly Allen. With her are crew members Anthony Chambers and Robin Cardwell.

You can only wonder what Colin's 2017 photo would show...

Double celebrations On 19 October 1996 Red Bay lifeboat station had double reason to celebrate - the naming ceremony of their new Atlantic 75 lifeboat, Dorothy Mary coincided with the official opening of the station's new boathouse.

Clayton Love Jnr, deputy chairman of the Institution, opened the boathouse and Paul Clark, Ulster Television personality, named the lifeboat. RNLI Director, Lt Cdr Brian Miles CBE, represented the donors and handed the lifeboat into the care of Red Bay station honorary secretary, Neil Workman.Open to all Every two years the R N LI throws open its headquarters and depot to the public, allowing anyone who is interested in lifeboats and the work of the Institution to see just what is involved.

This year the event will be held on Friday 1 August and Saturday 2 August - from 1000 to 1800 each day.

Exact details had not been finalised as we went to press, but expect to see all of the usual attractions - capsize and righting displays; helicopter transfers; videos and displays; simulators and guided tours round the headquarters building.

As always admission is free and there is limited free parking available for visitors.

• More details in the Summer issue, out in early July.

Jolly good show...

The RNLI's attendance at the 1997 London International Boat Show in January was an unqualified success - bucking the trend of a fall in the number of visitors with big increases in some sources of income.

There were 7% less visitors through the Earls Court turnstiles and the sales of lottery tickets, souvenirs and box donations fell - all linked inexorably with falling numbers - but this was far outweighed by the spectacular 163% rise in membership income and a massive 65% rise in the sale of membership insignia. All-in-all the Institution made a healthy profit from its presence - to say nothing of the huge public relations benefits.

Coverage in the media was excellent, helped by the launch of the new Offshore grade of membership (with 1,013 members joining during the show) and an innovative 'chamber of horrors' - a small yacht doctored to include numerous common faults. This was particularly relevant since the show also marked the launch of the latest Safety on the Sea booklet - 'Emergency Procedures for Small Craft'.

Several large donations were presented during the show, including more than £1000,000 from the Royal Bank of Scotland's affinity credit card and £10,500 from Cable and Wireless - whose staff had raised the money to buy a D class lifeboat.

The RNLI was able to show its gratitude with the presentation of Public Relations awards to those who had been particularly helpful during the past year - the recipients were Moray Firth Radio for its continued support and air-time; Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust for its work with the 'Lifeboat!' display of historic lifeboats and Doc Cox for his work on a promotional video for young people.

The younger generation of RNLI members were also excited to meet 'Stormy Stan' - the colourful character from their own Storm Force News magazine - who roamed the aisles shaking hands with them.Flint lifeboat named Marjorie Helen With the ruins of Flint Castle overlooking the proceedings, Eric Bulling handed D class lifeboat Marjorie Helen over to Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fundraising and marketing on 16 November.

This was Eric's second visit to Flint to hand over gifts in memory of his late wife - on a previous visit he unveiled a plaque to open an extension to the lifeboat house.

Following a service of dedication, the lifeboat was named by Eric and launched on exercise with a Wessex helicopter from 22 squadron RAF Valley.

Waveneys may go on working As more and more of the Institution's new Trents go on station an increasing number of Waveneys are being displaced and are leaving RNLI service.

The Institution now sets a nominal 20 year working life for all-weather lifeboats, but the steel-built 44-footers (first introduced in 1964 and based on an American Coastguard design) are still very sound and some at least are likely to continue their life saving ways with overseas lifeboat services.

The RNLI's charter specifically includes promoting the cause of what is now the International Lifeboat Federation (ILF), and ILF members are to be given the opportunity of buying the lifeboats as they leave service.

Countries as far apart as Estonia and New Zealand have expressed interest in using members of the class as working lifeboats, although as many overseas lifeboat organisations have very limited funds some may have difficulty finding sufficient resources.George Price It is The Lifeboat's sad duty to inform readers that George Price, RNLI regional manager/east, suddenly collapsed and died at work on 3 February. George worked for the Institution for some 30 years, starting as area organiser/south west in 1967. George made many friends within the lifeboat community and will be sadly missed.

Founder remembered This year marks the 150th anniversary of the death of RNLI founder, Sir William Hillary. A commemorative church service to honour his memory was held on 5 January at St George's church, Douglas, Isle of Man where Sir William is buried.

The service was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and was attended by many VIPs including His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor and Lady Daunt, Patron of Douglas lifeboat station; RNLI chairman, deputy chairman and director, the Chief minister of the Isle of Man and the Mayor and Mayoress of Douglas.

Archdeacon Brian Partington, vicar of St George's, introduced the service with a description of Douglas, its harbour and lifeboat, and told of how Sir William came to the island in 1808 and saw the dangers that sailors encountered at sea. Other speakers included Douglas lifeboat station honorary secretary and coxswain, RNLI chairman David Ackland and the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man who spoke of Sir William's perseverance in founding the Institution. Prayers were led by the Reverend Leslie Guthrie and Captain Paul Main and the hymns were led by the church choir and the Mariners choir.

After the service, the congregation went to the tomb of Sir William Hillary where a guard of honour was formed by Douglas lifeboatmen and David Ackland laid a wreath on the tomb.New Year Honours The following have been honoured by Her Majesty The Queen in the recent New Year Honours: For services to the RNLI: Officer. Order of the British Empire (QBE) Commodore George Cooper - chief of operations Member. Order of the British Empire (MBE) Howard Bell - honorary liason officer, eastern region George Exley - honorary secretary, Scarborough lifeboat station Captain Alex Kirk - Lately honorary secretary, Hartlepool lifeboat station Graham Walker - coxswain/mechanic, Wells lifeboat Other awards of interest: Knight Bachelor David Rowland - chairman, Lloyds of London for services to the insurance industry. (Ex officio member of the committee of management) Commander. Order of the British Empire (CBE) John Parker - consultant cardiac surgeon, St George's Hospital, London for services to medicine (member of the medical and survival committee) Member. Order of the British Empire (MBE) Doreen Norgrove - for services to the community in Fareham (husband Roy runs the RNLI jewellery appeal) Man of Grace dies Derek Calderwood, former honorary curator of the Grace Darling museum in Bamburgh and tireless fundraiser for the RNLI has died.

Derek, curator of the museum from 1984 until 1995, was responsible for the day to day management of the museum during the tourist season as well as dealing with bookings during the winter. Even afterhe retired as curator, he still worked regularly at the museum as custodian and visited local clubs and schools to give talks on Grace Darling and the heroic rescue of the Forfarshire in 1838.

Derek's was honoured by the RNLI for organising a £300,000 appeal to buy a new lifeboat for Northumberland.

Derek's sister asked for donations to the museum and RNLI in lieu of flowers from which £15,000 has been raised.John Saunderson named at Llandudno After torrential rains, the clouds receded to let the sun break through, and D class lifeboat, John Sunderson was officially dedicated on the lifeboat slipway at Llandudno on 20 October 1996.

The lifeboat was donated by Dr Barbara Saunderson, whose great uncle saved a woman from drowning in Langton Dock, Liverpool in 1892. In her handing over speech, Dr Saunderson painted a vivid picture of other maritime disasters around the coast in 1892.

Dr Saunderson handed over the lifeboat to Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fundraising and marketing, who passed it to Lt Cdr John McDonald RD RNR, Llandudno station honorary secretary.

The service of dedication was conducted by The Reverend Canon Philip Cousins, The Right Reverend Monsignor Matthew Kelly STL and Idwal Wyn-Jones..