Around ana about the RNLI Just the ticket! Upon retirement from 23 years RNLI service, Assistant Manager of Depot General, Angela Miller (right), drew the winners of the 88th Lifeboat Lottery.

The draw, held in January at the Poole depot, raised nearly £260,300 and first prize - a trip for two on the Orient Express and two nights in Venice - was won by Mr G Butterworth of Hertfordshire.

The cash prize winners were: • £1,000 - Mr J Zwakman, Kent •£500-MrJ E Wells, Kent • £250 - Mr D Bastow, Somerset • £100-Mr R Stanley, Devon; Mr & Mrs L Gandar, Hants; Mrs B Dadson, Kent; Mrs J D Ballinger, Wilts; Mr & Mrs G Briggs, Aberdeenshire.

Former pirate serenades Clacton lifeboat! Lovers at last Macduff Helmsman Colin Duthie, married his sweetheart, Lorraine McKay, in November with the station's lifeboat as a backdrop for the wedding pictures.

Colin is the first lifeboatman to be married since the opening of the new boathouse - perhaps he is also the last to be married in the last millennium? First prize parade Laura and Ellie Gaudion, daughters of Alderney lifeboat's Senior Helmsman, are pictured here during the Alderney Week Cavalcade in August 1999.

Their recreation of the station's Trent class lifeboat, Roy Barker I, won first prize for the most lively in the parade.

John Healy - - an apology The Royal National Lifeboat Institution wishes to make it clear that it apologies unreservedly to John Healy for any professional or personal suffering caused by the incident around 10 years ago when he was unfairly asked to stand down from the lifeboat crew at Ballyglass. The formation of a new lifeboat station is a complex matter and decisions taken at the time were in no way a criticism of Mr Healy's professional or personal competence. If this impression was given or gained by anybody then it was false and the RNLI apologises to Mr Healy if its actions may have led to any such conclusions being drawn.

The RNLI wishes to take this opportunity to acknowledge the genuine efforts of Mr Healy in relation to the setting up of the lifeboat station and his contributions over the years to the RNLI.

30 As part of RNLI 175th celebrations in August last year, Trinity House's Lightship No. 18 anchored off Clacton Pier and, under special licence, broadcast 70s music and jingles in recreation of pirate radio ship Radio Northsea International.

Back in 1970 the pirate radio ship caused quite a stir and, during a stay off the Essex coast in August that year, four stranded people had to be rescued from her by Clacton lifeboat.

For the anniversary celebration many DJs, including some from the original pirate days, played 70s pop hits and brought back to life the swashbuckling times of the pirate radio era.

Ctacton lifeboat crew visited and were interviewed on air and, throughout the month in hourly announcements, informed listeners about the RNLI and Clacton lifeboat station.

Handing over the helm ~ Following the retirement of Skegness Coxswain/Mechanic Paul Martin, the new man at the helm is previous Second Coxswain John Irving (pictured left/.

Ray Chapman (right) who remains as senior helmsman in the station's inshore boat, becomes the new Second Coxswain.

Picture Ben Hardaker On Station The following lifeboats have taken up duty: ALL WEATHER Lytham St Annes - Mersey 12-30 (ON 1189) Her Majesty The Queen on 16 December 1999 Arranmore - Severn 17-22 (ON 1244) Myrtle Maud on 27 January 2000 INSHORE Marazion - D552 Global Marine on 11 November 1999 Helvick Head - B760 Alice and Charles on 14 December 1999.