A Big Thank You from the Anniversary Project Manager So that's it. 1999 has come and gone and the 175th anniversary is now officially over. Only the Scots carried on with the celebrations right up to the official birthday of 4 March 2000.

For the rest of us with not quite so much staying power, it's all over! What a year it was. With more media coverage in one day on 4 March 1999 than in a normal six months, there was real justification for celebrating 175 years of saving lives at sea.

It must have been tempting to let the occasion go by without doing anything. After all there is nothing particularly significant about 175 as a number, unlike 150 or 200. But the decision was taken to celebrate and celebrate we did in real style! My job as Anniversary Project Manager was to initiate, steer and co-ordinate all the events throughout the year making sure they happened, were successful and that they met the objectives of the 175th anniversary campaign.

These were : • To increase awareness of the RNLI significantly during 1999 and through to the year 2000 • Through key events to make the lifeboat service relevant to the generation who will be providing the voluntary support needed in the 21st century.

• To make it an occasion for celebration giving encouragement and motivation to volunteers, supporters and staff.

None of these objectives could have been achieved without such tremendous enthusiasm from the many thousands of people who queued up to help us celebrate from big businesses and the public sector, who worked in partnership with us to school classes, who collected 175 pennies for us in Smartie tubes! Everyone was just brilliant.

As a result, awareness of our efforts peaked in September 1999 with 26% of the adult population being aware of the anniversary compared with 18% in April and just 9% when it all started in December 1998.

So A BIG THANK YOU to everyone out there and to all our readers who did so much duringthe special year. Here's to the next 175 years.

Note: Frances Aldhdge. who stewarded the RNLI so successfully through its 175th Anniversary celebrations, was recently appointed as PR Campaigns Manager.

Frances will still handle all unfinished business relating to the Anniversary but most of her time from now on will be spent providing the increasing amount of PR support required by the various Sea Safety initiatives. However, she will also play a central role in the important task of co-ordinating the RNLI's communications and other PR campaigns and projects.Swedish lifeboat arrives for trials The Swedish Victoria class lifeboat, which is to be trialled by the RNLI as part of the RNLI's Lifeboats 2000 boat development programme, arrived in Poole on 15 February.

She was transported by sea to Southampton and then on to Poole by road - but only after haulage contractor Malcolm Ely had removed the windscreen and stub mast to reduce her height! The main mast structure folds but, when she arrived at the Southampton quayside, the remaining stub was found to be 10in higher than the clearance under the lowest bridge en route! The boat will have two Swedish lifeboat crew accompanying it and, after two weeks of trials in Poole, will be going north to Hartlepool, west to Conwy and on to Eastbourne before returning once again to Poole. The boat will be based at marinas in each location and will be evaluated against the RNLI's requirements for a new fast response boat. It will provide crews with the opportunity to handle a 35 knot water jet lifeboat in UK waters.

A team of RNLI staff members from the technical and operations department visited Sweden at the end of last year to trial the boat and to prepare for its arrival. A sister boat from the Swedish Sea Rescue Institution was seen in Poole in June when it took part in the 175'" anniversary flotilla of lifeboats from around the UK and overseas.Desperately seeking a - Severn The search for lifeboat models continues . . .

7. A model-maker who has made a Severn class model and would be prepared to loan it for a few weeks for display in the Autumn.

2. A model-maker who may be interested in making a Severn class lifeboat and Atlantic 75 (B class) model.

3. A Mersey class model is required for permanent display and will be well looked after.

If you can help, please write to Maureen La Frenais. Display & Visits Co-ordinator, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH151HZ.The Lifeboat is published four times a year and is sent free to RNLI Members and Governors.

The next issue will be Summer 2000 and will appear in July 2000.

News items should be received by 23 April, but earlier if possible. All material submitted for possible publication should be addressed to the Editor. The Lifeboat, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road. Poole.

Dorset BH151 HZ.

Photographs intended for return should be accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. Contributions may be held for subsequent issues and to reduce costs receipt will not usually be acknowledged unless requested.

For further information on how to join the Institution as a Member or Governor contact the Membership section at RNLI Headquarters, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.

Any products or services advertised in The Lifeboat by third parties are not in any way endorsed by the RNLI and the RNLI shall not be responsible for the accuracy of any information contained in such advertisements nor has it investigated or verified any of the information.

The Lifeboat 15 published by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and printed by The Friary Press. Bridport Road. Dorchester, Dorset DTl 1JL.New Year Honours The following have been honoured by Her Majesty The Queen in the recent New Year Honours: FOR SERVICES TO THE RNLI Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE) Mrs Margaret Bibby-Cheshire - Honorary Treasurer, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Ladies' Guild.

For services to the RNLI and Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association in Norfolk.

Mr Paul Martin - Lately Coxswain/Mechanic Skegness lifeboat.

Captain Niall McNab - Lately Honorary Secretary Montrose lifeboat station.

Mrs Joyce Morns - Honorary Treasurer, Whitehaven branch and St Bees lifeboat station.

Mr Robert Runyeard - Lately Coxswain Weymouth lifeboat.

OTHER AWARDS OF INTEREST Officer, Order of the British Empire (QBE) Mrs Tanni Grey-Thompson - For services to disabled sport (keen lifeboat supporter - RNLI London Marathon participant in 1994 and 1998).

Mr Brian Mmto - For services to Scottish vocational education (Chairman (formerly Honorary Secretary) of Anstruther station branch).

Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE) Mr Roy Adam - For service to the community in Blandford Forum (President (formerly chairman) of the Blandford Branch).

Mrs Peggy Archibald - For service to the community in Inverkeithing, Fife. (Member of Medical and Survival Committee).

Captain Norman Leask - For service to marine safety, Deputy Chief Pilot and Line Training Captain, Bristow/HMCG SAR helicopter unit, Shetland (Pilot involved in the service with the Lerwick lifeboat to the MV Green Lily*).www.lifeboats.org.uk Recently re-launched with 'something for everyone' With 18.8m UK internet users predicted by the end of the year (13m of whom will surf the web at home), the RNLI's new web site won't be a moment too soon.

Early last year it was decided to replace the old site and a lengthy analysis followed of what was needed and who was to build the new site. One of the key requirements was to have the ability to update the information in-house and, as a result, approximately 80% of the information can be updated this way to ensure the site is kept fresh and up to date.

Having decided on what was required and a company chosen to build the site, the process began. Six months and 500+ pages later, the new site was launched.

So what will it achieve and what does it have to offer supporters of the RNLI? The site had to be designed to appeal to anyone who wanted to find out more about the RNLI. As well as making it easy for people to find what they were initially seeking, a way was needed to encourage these 'surfers' to stay and find out more. Each of the main sections are constantly visible and ads are used to tell people about other areas on the site.

The shopping or e-commerce side of the site is a great new test for the RNLI. It is hoped that by carefully selecting items and offers, it can be made even easier for people to buy from the RNLI and make Watermark-on-line the ideal 'gift shop' destination.

The web site will be constantly developed and any feedback is greatly appreciated. The internet is the RNLI's opportunity to communicate to an increasing 'on-line' community and will enable the visitor to choose exactly what they want to know about the lifeboat service. As a result many more people will be better informed about the tremendous volunteer service that the RNLI operates.

Please take a look at www.lifeboats.org.uk and tell your friends, family and colleagues to take a look as well - you won't be disappointed.

Aberdovey's lifeboat named Aberdovey's Atlantic 75 lifeboat was officially named on Saturday, 16 October at the lifeboat station. The new lifeboat has been generously funded by an appeal to the people of Sandwell in the West Midlands.

The ceremony ended with the lifeboat being named Sandwell Lifeline by Leon and Luke Archer, the two children from Wednesbury in the West Midlands, who won a competition to name the lifeboat.See the boats and meet the crews! The RNLI's National Lifeboat Stations Open Day will take place again on Saturday 24 June, although some lifeboat stations will open on Sunday 25 June instead.

This is a unique chance to talk to the volunteer crews and see the lifeboats and equipment close up.

Young people will be able to take part in a national quiz with exciting prizes.

If you would like to know which of the 223 lifeboat stations in the UK and Republic of Ireland are open, you should ring RNLI public relations on 01202 663000, after 1 June 2000,Minister for the Marine visits Galway lifeboat station Within three days of his appointment as Minister for The Marine and Natural Resources, Frank Fahey TD (Teachta Dala - Member of the Irish Dail or parliament) paid a courtesy call to Galway lifeboat station to visit the boathouse and view the Atlantic 75 lifeboat Dochas (Irish language for Hope) and met with members of the volunteer crew and station committee.

Minister Fahey paid tribute to the work done by the Institution and in particular praised Galway lifeboat station who, in a short four years since first going on station, have launched 98 times and saved 45 lives off the Galway coast.

Annual Presentation of Awards 2000 This year's Annual Presentation of Awards at the Barbican Hall on Thursday, 18 May will be attended by HRH The Princess Royal KG GCVO, who will address the meeting and present the awards.

Miss Pam Rhodes, Presenter of BBC's TV's 'Songs of Praise', writer and Member of the Committee of Management, will be guest speaker/proposer of the Vote of Thanks.Horizons 'Currie explores the enormity of the beautiful and the placidness of the wild.

Within this dichotomy he engages with the horizon as a stablising force to which the viewer steers a path - an imaginary line between air and water which is often smashed into disarray, yet without fail returns to reassert a sense of hope and continuity to our lives and the image.' - Chris Taylor, Dean Clough Galleries 'Horizons', the exhibition by photographer Doug Currie, was held at Poole Arts Centre, during February and March 2000.

The exhibition captured the differing moods of the Dorset and Hampshire coastline in a series of colourful and highly atmospheric images that have a unique and beautiful aesthetic. The colours are intense cool blues and greens of sea and sky present in the seascapes contrasting with more dramatic images, photographed with the volunteer crews of the RNLI, whose orange and blue colours jump boldly out of the pictures.

Doug said 'After a number of trips to sea with these crews, I have gained nothing but admiration for them and their work and would like to take this opportunity to dedicate this exhibition to all the crews of the RNLI both past and present.

For further information or to purchase prints, contact: [email protected].

Get yours free! 2000 Lifeboat Stations and Museums Guide All the RNLI's stations are listed within the guide, together with opening times, a contact number and details of the lifeboats.

There are also a number of museums and display centres. Just send an SAE (DL size 220mm x 110mm} requesting a copy to: PR Department, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.All in a day's work Following a 20 hour search at sea for a missing Polperro fisherman on Sunday, 8 January 2000, some of the Fowey lifeboat crew headed straight off to London for the unveiling of a portrait of themselves and their all-weather Trent class lifeboat at the 'People's Portraits' exhibition. The picture, the largest at 2.5m (8ft) long, forms part of a millennium exhibition of painting by members of The Royal Society of Portrait Painters.

The exhibition opened in the Mall Galleries, London on 11 January and other venues include: 2000 Canterbury - Royal Museum & Art Gallery (6 May) Bristol - Royal West of England Academy (23 July- 19 August) Derby - Museum & Art Gallery (2 September) Doncaster - Museum & Art Gallery (21 October) 2001 Cardiff - St David's Hall (8 January) Exeter - City Museums & Art Gallery (10 February) Durham - Art Gallery (24 March) Stirling - The Stirling Smith Art Gallery (30 June) The Royal Society of Portrait Painters, this country's most distinguished group of portrait painters, is a registered chanty, which aims to promote and advance education in the fine arts and, in particular, to encourage the appreciation, study and practice of the art of portraiture. Members of the Society enjoy an international reputation for excellence.

Drive away with first prize! Look out for your summer lottery tickets because first prize is another stunning Peugeot 206. The lucky winner will simply collect the car keys from their local Peugeot dealership and drive away with the 206.

Once again it is thanks to Peugeot's kind sponsorship that we are able to offer such a marvellous first prize.

The lottery also features the usual runner-up cash prizes that range from £100 to £1,000. If you don't receive lottery tickets, but would like to, please contact Rebekah Rose on 01202 663219, 8.00am - 5.00pm, weekdays. She will be delighted to send you tickets or help with any of your lifeboat lottery queries.London It is with deep regret that we inform you of the following deaths: Mr C J Morehouse-an honorary life governor since 1992 and chairman of Southend-on-Sea station branch since 1962.

Mrs Graham Goodson - an honorary life governor since November 1954.

Every year for the past few years, Mr P J Young, an American gentleman, has made a donation to the RNLI for the specific purpose of making a gift of whisky to lifeboat crews.

Unfortuntely Mr Young has passed away, however, his widow has asked that this gift continues.

Kodak/RNLI Photo Competition 2000 WIN £300 WORTH OF CAMERA EQUIPMENT from Kodak and see your photo on 500,000 RNLI Kodak Film Service envelopes To celebrate the launch of the RNLI's new Film Service with Kodak, we're launching a new photography competition with the chance to win an APS zoom camera worth £300 (kindly provided by Kodak) and see your photo printed on 500,000 RNLI Kodak Film Service envelopes.

Enter your best RNLI related photos: lifeboats, crews, boathouses or fundraising activity. While on holiday, photograph the lifeboat or go along to your nearest station on National Lifeboat Stations Open Day on the weekend of 24"1 June. Alternatively contact your local fundraising branch to find out about upcoming RNLI events.

For details of how to enter, see the RNLI Kodak Film Service Envelope included in your magazine.Summer '99 Lottery Winner Mrs Pat Hews from Romney Marsh in Kent won the Summer 99 Lottery.

Her winning prize was the Peugeot 206 GLX 1.4 generously donated by the Peugeot Motor Company.

Mrs Hews visited the lifeboat station at Dungeness to receive her prize from Senior Area Organiser Kathy Corby and was delighted to meet the coxswain and crew at Dungeness.Open Days at RNLI headquarters Although it had been intended to hold Open Days at RNLI headquarters in Poole this year, this event will unfortunately not now take place.

A considerable amount of building work will be taking place on the Depot site this year and Health and Safety precautions preclude us from opening the area to the general public. We do hope to reinstate this popular event as soon as possible.

Web Feat maritimebritain2000.com is a new website, exclusively devoted to watersports and leisure and other water related activities. It will be updated throughout the year and, if you wish to provide information for publication, email: admin @maritirnebritain2000. comTo bowledly go To mark the RNLI's 175th anniversary in 1999, the Mayor of Poole, Councillor Bill Wretham commissioned Poole Pottery to produce 223 special commemorative bowls, one for each of the lifeboat stations in the Uk and Republic of Ireland.

Clearly it was not possible for the Mayor to deliver these commemorative bowls personally, so Poole Council called for volunteer residents of the Borough to deliver them on his behalf. Keeley Bull, Borough of Poole public relations said, 'Residents who have already delivered their bowls have told us how much they enjoyed their visit to the lifeboat stations." To date, all but 13 stations have received their bowls. Poole lifeboat station will be the last when the mayor presents it later this year.Morecambe Opening Ceremony Over 200 people gathered on the promenade at Morecambe on 11 September 1999 for the official opening of Morecambe lifeboat station.

Mr Ken Toole, station chairman, opened the proceedings and welcomed the many guests. Colonel Alan Niekirk, of the RNLI Committee of Management acknowledged the many generous gifts, which helped to meet the costs of the new building and formally handed the station over to station honorary secretary, John Beatty.

The boathouse was formally opened by Paul Crone, well known TV presenter with Granada Television, who had become known to the lifeboat crew during his recent Treasure Trove Appeal in aid of the RNLI.

After a service of dedication, led by Revd. David Buck, the station's D class lifeboat Brenda Reed was launched for a short display of her capabilities, before guests enjoyed a buffet in the boathouse.Commendations for lifeboat station designs Rock and North Berwick lifeboat stations were each awarded a Commendation from the Civic Trust Awards last year.

Civic Trust Awards are given to outstanding examples of architecture and environmental design and are unique in that they take into account the benefit each project brings to the local area as well as considering the quality of its design.

ROCK -'... The building is tucked into the sand dunes behind the beach to minimise its impact on this sensitive landscape. Although its prime purpose is functional, it has successfully provided a focus for the local maritime community.' - Civic Trust Awards.

NORTH BERWICK - "This new building for the lifeboat crew, built on the site of a shop, fits remarkably well into the existing conservation area streetscape. Externally, traditional materials have been used to good effect Great care and attention have been paid to the detailing, both inside and out...The internal layout works well and the building seems much appreciated by both the lifeboat crew and committee-' - Civic Trust Awards..