Presentation of Awards As usual, the morning's Annual General Meet ing was followed in the afternoon by the Institution's Annual Presentation of Awards, both to voluntary workers and for gallantry.

Mr Acland opened his first address to the meeting as Chairman with the recollection that during his long involvement with the RNLI he remembered the first of the Waveneys leaving her builders yard as the newest and fastest class of lifeboats - a class which was now being replaced in turn by a new generation of lifeboats.

In fact, he added, only last month one of these lifeboats was almost at the end of her last passage back to Poole for disposal when she encountered a windsurfer in difficulties at the entrance to the harbour. Almost before the sailor realised he was in trouble the Waveney was alongside and taking him to safety. Somewhat surprised the casualty asked the crew where they had materialised from:' Arklow, in Ireland.' was the reply, 'glad we made it on time!' Mr Acland commented that even with their new 25-knot Trent he doubted they could promise quite such a prompt service! Progress The Chairman then outlined the progress which the Institution had made during the past year, paying tribute to the volunteer crews and fundraisers which had made it possible.

No matter what new methods of fundraising were employed, he said, it was the enthusiasm of the volunteers all over the country and the loyalty of the supporters which were fundamental to the RNLI's well-being.

The awards for gallantry which were shortly to follow fuelled that enthusiasm. Mr Acland added, remarking that although helicopters had been on hand on several occasions the conditions had been so severe that only the lifeboats could carry out the rescues.

Last year was second only to 1995 for the number of lifeboat launches, and although the afternoon's awards represented the most remarkable services there were many thousands of others every year which would command admiration if there was time to recount them.

There would, he said, always be a need for a lifeboat, and there would always be a need for supporters such as had gathered at the Barbican that day, supporters who had been responsible for raising some £60m in 1996.

Paying tribute to the amount of hard work and ingenuity which had gone into raising such a sum the Chairman moved on to introduce HRH Prince Michael of Kent, who was to present the awards.

Before presenting the awards the Prince remarked on his pleasure at being present at the meeting, and his long family connection with the RNLI. His father the late Duke of Kent and his mother Princess Marina both having been presidents of the Institution before the current president. Prince Michael's brother, the Duke of Kent.

Links Prince Michael had other links with the RNLI's values and way of thinking, being Commonwealth President of the Royal Life Saving Society, whose aim was to prevent people drowning while bathing, in lakes and waterways - and even the bath. In short. Prince Michael said, virtually everywhere that the RNLI was not involved! It was. His Royal Highness added, both admirable and quite astonishing that a lifeboat service costing £60m a year to run can be supported exclusively by voluntary funding.

Prince Michael's recent experiences as a crew on one leg of the round the world yacht race had given him an insight into the conditions which lifeboat crews can experience. His thoughts had often turned to the RNLI as a result of his experience. He had learned a tiny bit about what motivates people when the going gets tough and the odds are stacked against you. and had gained an insight into what the coxswains and crews of the RNLI had to go through to prepare themselves before going out to face the potential risks every time they launch.

Awards The Prince then presented the awards to the voluntary workers, followed by the five Bronze Medals for Gallantry.

For the first time the citations for the gallantry medals were accompanied by a short video, made by RNLI staff and allowing the crew themselves - and sometimes the casualties - to describe the conditions and the way they went about the rescue.

Lord Stanley of Alderley, a Vice President of the Institution, thanked Prince Michael for attending to present the awards, adding that it was encouraging to hear an appreciation of the work of the lifeboat crews from one who understands what it means to pit oneself against an often unkind sea. and that his description of conditions in the round the world race would have struck a particular chord that afternoon.A list of all voluntary workers who received their awards at the Barbican will be found on the following page Awards for Gallantry presented at the Barbican Bronze Medal Coxswain David Mason of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston for the service to the yacht Olline on 29 August 1996 - see 77w UMxMrt Winter 1996/ 7 for a full report of the service Bronze Medal Coxswain William Catchpole of Lowestof t for the service to the yacht Red House Lugger on 29 August 1996 - see Tht LHtbott Winter 1996/7 for a full report of the service Bronze Medal Coxswain/Mechanic Ian Firman of Aldeburgh for the service to the yacht Red House Lugger on 29 August 1996 - see ThtLfftbott Winter 1996/ 7 for a full report of the service Bronze Medal Coxswain Chris Haw of Swanage for the service to the yacht Be Happy on 28 October 1996 - see Tht Liftbott Winter 1996/7 for a full report of the service Bronze Medal Coxswain Albert Sutherland of Fraserburgh for the service to the fishing vessel Hope Crest on 16 February 1997 - see this issue of Tht Liteboit for a full report of the serviceAwards to voluntary workers at the 1997 Annual Presentation of Awards Since the last Annual Presentation of Awards Meeting, the Committee of Management has awarded one Honorary Life Governorship, five Bars to the Gold Badge and 42 Gold Badges. Each of the following entries states the dates of the first and last positions held at the given branch by the awardees. Awardees who did not attend the Annual Presentation of Awards are indicated with an asterisk and were presented with their award at a local ceremony.

HONORARY LIFE GOVERNOR Mrs R Clarke Harwich Branch: Branch Helper 1954- 57, Southampton Branch: Area Representative 1957- 64, Colchester Ladies Guild: Honorary Secretary 1967- 73, Colchester District Branch: Honorary Secretary 1973 to date BAR TO GOLD BADGE Mrs D Hutchinson MBE Altrincham & Bowdon Branch: Honorary Secretary 1965-69, Chairman 1969 to date Mrs M Bowers Port Erin Ladies Lifeboat Guild: Honorary Secretary 1954-68, Vice Chairman 1992 to date Mrs J Wilson Bridlington Guild: Chairman 1954-69, Vice President 1969 to date Mrs P Whateley Bude Guild: Asst Hon Secretary/ Treasurer 1941, Treasurer 1976 to date, Bude Branch: President 1982 to date Mr J K Boardman Littlestone Station Branch: Station Honorary Secretary 1966-86, Chairman 1986 to date GOLD BADGE Mrs F Macpherson Ardrishaig Branch: Honorary Secretary 1971-96, Souvenir Secretary 1996 to date Mrs B A Furniss Prenton Branch: Honorary Secretary 1971-93, Chairman 1993 to date Mrs E J Loney Shaw & Crompton Ladies Lifeboat Guild: Honorary Secretary 1972 to date Mrs J Chambers St Annes Ladies Lifeboat Guild: Vice Chairman 1966-90, Vice President 1990 to date Mr G L Dawson* Ulverston Branch: Honorary Treasurer 1957 to date Miss J V Chippindale Bridlington Guild: Vice Chairman 1974-77, Chairman 1977 to date Mrs P Cawley* Doncaster Guild: Honorary Secretary 1970-78, Honorary Secretary 1980 to date Mrs J Sandford Holmfirth Guild: Honorary Treasurer 1953-67, Vice President 1987 to date Mrs J Anderson* Horsforth Branch: Honorary Treasurer 1970-93, Souvenir Secretary 1994 to date Mrs G Robson* Meltham Guild: Honorary Treasurer 1964 to date Mrs N Griffith Caernarfon Branch: Committee Member 1949-50, President 1977 to date Mrs A Neville Llandudno Ladies Guild: Committee Member 1958-69, Vice President 1987 to date Mrs ME Meyer* Llanidloes Branch: Committee Member 1958-65, Chairman 1965 to date Mrs A Cowan Gt Yarmouth & Gorleston Ladies Guild: Honorary Secretary 1971 to date, Chairman 1990 to date Mr P Wood Harpenden Branch: Honorary Secretary 1971-84 Chairman 1984 to date Mrs C K Warren Norwich Ladies Guild: Committee Member 1967-74, Chairman 1974 to date Mr PGoodes Potters Bar Branch: Founder Member & Hon Secretary 1969-73, Honiton Branch: Founder Member & Chairman 1974, Honorary Secretary 1974 to date Mrs C Bawden Newquay Lifeboat Guild: Committee Member 1967-74, Honorary Secretary 1974 to date Mrs S Lord Newquay Lifeboat Guild: Committee Member 1967-74, Honorary Treasurer 1974 to date Mrs P Morris Newquay Lifeboat Guild: Committee Member 1967-74 Chairman 1974 to date Mrs I Dunstan Redruth Lifeboat Guild: Committee Member 1963-66, Box Secretary 1990 to date Mrs I F Clarke Broadstairs Lifeboat Guild: Honorary Secretary 1972-1982 Chairman 1982 to date Mr JE Fisher Calshot& District Financial Branch: Hon Treasurer & Flag Week Organiser 1971 to date Mr R J Arter Dymchurch Branch: Chairman 1971-82, President 1984 to date Mrs M Schofield Southborough Branch: Honorary Secretary 1966-75, Chairman 1981-84, Hastings & St Leonards Society: Chairman 1988-89, Committee Member 1996 to date Mrs JS Walden Henley on Thames Branch: Honorary Secretary 1976 to date Mr W A Trussler Romsey & District Branch: Box Secretary 1974-75, Box Secretary 1985 to date Mrs M R Foott Worthing Ladies Guild: Committee Member 1970-74, Chairman 1975 to date Mr D Griggs Lewisham Branch: Committee Member 1972-75, Vice Chairman 1975 to date Mr D Knappett North Chingford Branch: Chairman 1970-88, President 1988 to date Mr R O Tough MBE ARINA Twickenham Branch: Chairman 1971-82, President 1990 to date Mrs E Carlile Bangor Ladies Guild: Honorary Treasurer 1969 to date Cdr J G V Holt QBE Rn Rtd Carndonagh Malin Branch: Honorary Secretary 1973 to date Mrs E Patton* Monaghan Branch: Honorary Secretary 1946-71, Dublin Branch: Lifeboat Shop Volunteer/ House to House Collector 1971 to date Mr D K Desmond Wicklow Branch: Fundraising Hon Secretary 1971-81, Station Honorary Secretary 1992 to date Mrs M Kavanagh Wicklow Ladies Guild: Committee Member 1970-73, Committee Member 1994 to date Dr J P Deans Thurso Station Branch: Chairman 1984- 88, Honorary Medical Adviser 1962 to date Mr J Manson Troon Station Branch: Deputy Launching Authority 1971-79, Honorary Secretary 1979 to date Mr J C James MBE Staithes & Runswick Station Branch: Shore Helper 1945-71, Vice President 1993 to date Mr SHaylerAberdovey Station Branch: Deputy Launching Authority 1971-85, Chairman 1977 to date Mr PJHodginsClogher Head Station Branch: Deputy Launching Authority 1962-81, Station Honorary Secretary 1982 to date Mr J G Francis Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society: Honorary Secretary 1964 to date Awards to coxswains, crew members and shore helpers 1996 The following coxswains, crew members and shore helpers were awarded certificates of service on their retirement. Those entitled to them under the Institution's regulations were also awarded a gratuity or pension. The total number of years service, at one or more stations, is shown and includes service as a coxswain where indicated. Service in inshore lifeboats is indicated by an asterisk and may overlap with service in all-weather lifeboats. Medals for gallantry are shown as follows: B - Bronze; S - Silver; G - Gold.

Aberdeen: A Y Charles (11:16.5*); J E Corstorphine (21; 12.5*) Aberdovey: D E Williams (22*) Aith: V A Gray (22) Aldeburgh: M R Fellowes (18.5; 18.5*) Alderney: P J Gamblin (13) Amble: RG lde(18; 13*) Angle: J Stringer (18) Arbroath: F M Fraser (34; 18*1 Arran: P M McBeath (10*) Arranmore: J O'Donnell (37) Bangor: A J Browne (26.5*); D M Lindsay (23.5*); R SB Whyte(13.5*) Beaumaris: E F Jones (18); G W Roberts (10.5; 15.5*) Blyth: JC Scott (21.5) Brighton: A R Jervis (16*) Bude: M Moyle (20*) Burnham-on-Crouch M J Hawkes (19) Campbeltown: S B Brodie (35) Clogher Head: D V Hobbs (15.5) Donaghadee: K M Walsh (12) Dover: M F Abbott (16.5); D W McHugh (10.5; B) Dun Laoghaire: A Drummond (22); J Lawless (23.5); J Wildes (23) Dunmore East: B Crummey (10.5; 2*); J J Walsh (Coxn 29.5) Eastbourne: B A Chessell (13) Exmouth:TW Chandler (20.5; 12.5*) Eyemouth: A Crombie (12.5) Falmouth: C Atherton (13); R R Monk (18); T J Wilshaw(14; 12*) Fishguard: D B Davies (14.5); R J Monk (22); M O'Donoghue (11) Flamborough: C Readhead (22) Fleetwood: B E Farmer (33.5; 26*) Great Yarmouth & Gorleston: M T Brown (26.5; 4*); D E Grief (11.5) Hartlepool: G W Jamieson (10.5; 10.5*) Hastings: C J Cooper (Posthumous) (5.5; 13*); D H W Ryder (31.5); PSWadeydl) Hayling Island: R H James (20*; Sx2) Helensburgh: M Hutchinson (16.5*) Hunstanton: C B Groundsell (15.5*) Islay: G E Covell (14.5); J MacKechnie (14) Kinghorn S L Robinson (11 *) Kirkwall: M J F Drever (28); R S Mainland (19.5); J Mitchell (21.5) Little & Broad Haven: J C Rudder (15.5*) Littlehampton: N J White (20*) Llandudno: G M P Short (23.5; 8.5*) Lochinver: R H Healey (12.5) Lowestoft: W J Keith (35) Lymington: R J Bayzand (15*) Lytham St Annes: A M Ashton (Coxn 10) Minehead: S J Guscott (10*); J Newton (19) Moelfre: R A Davies (12; 12*); J Disley (16); EO Jones (34); K C Shone (12.5) Newbiggin: J Shiel (13*); P Walker (14.5*) New Quay: J Evans (7; 6*); J D Leworthy (37) Newquay: D M Trebilcock (28.5*) North Sunderland: G Shiel (23.5); K Swanston (12.5; 2*) Oban: M K Robertson (26) Peel: B B Maddrell (3.5; 20*) Penarth: D L Green (15*); A M Rabaiotti (14.5*) Penlee: C R C Cooke (10) Poole: R W Collin (20; 15) Portaferry: J D Rogers (16.5*) Porthcawl: R F Conley (10); W K Evans* (10) Porthdinllaen: G G Jones (22) Port Isaac: TJ Beared 7*); J L McDonnell (14.5*) Portrush:TMcGaffin(11.5) Port St Mary: P I W Crebbin (14); A D Maddrell (16.5; 17*) PortTalbot: SJ May (16*) Pwllheli: D Jones (44) Queensferry: R Dobbie (19*1 Redcar: M E Lawes (15.5*1 RhyhDG Dolan (36.5; 17*1 Selsey: T R Gainsborough (10; 9*1; E Scott (11.5); T A P Wood (26; 4.5*) Sennen Cove: T George (16.5) Sheerness: B W A Spoor (13.5; 12*) Sheringham: P J Garratt (Posthumous) (7; 3") Silloth: S Henderson (11.5*) Skegness: R D Foye (8.5; 9.5*) Southend-on-Sea: P C Hanshaw (16.5*1; S P Spratt (16.5*); CJ DWarry(28.5) Southwold: L Brown (13*); P R Horsnell (10.5*); S Taylor (17.5*); N Westwood (18.5*) St Catherine: D Crawford (15*) St Davids: K Jones (22) St Ives: D J Clarke (24) St Mary's: C P Ridsdale (21.5) St Peter Port: P J Bisson MBE (Coxn 15.5; S, Bx2) Stornoway: R M Hughson (12.5); J J MacLennan (24.5); KM MacLeod (11.5) Sunderland: A S Lee (Coxn 16; 12.5*) Swanage: D P Fitzgerald (15.5) The Mumbles: E T James (18.5) Thurso: B Williams (20) Tynemouth: S Brown (23; 11 *) WalmerP Wholly (16.5) Weston-Super-Mare A C Blizzard (16.5*); R A Spindler(31*); B P Ward (10* Whitstable: D Holmes (12*); D G Holmes (28.5*); R J Taylor (12.5*); D W Ward (32.5*1 Wicklow: D J Swail (19.5) Withernsea: R Stephenson (17*) Youghal: Mrs C M Dempsey (11.5*); E O'Sullivan (11.5*).