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0 A new base for Scotland The new combined Scotland divisional base and regional office was officially opened on 7 March 2002 by HRH The Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI. The move was planned some two years ago when it was realised that both the existing premises were in need of improvement.

It is a welcome change for all the staff to be in purpose-built accommodation, designed for the specific needs of the RNLI, Facilities include office and storage space, mechanical and electrical workshops, technical offices and a drying room.

Scottish divisional and regional Mall Appledore boathouse opening The official opening and dedication of the Appledore lifeboat house took place on 29 September 2001. Storm Force member Harriet Weatherby Crompton (12) cut the ribbon and officially declared the boathouse open.

Her great-aunt, Mrs Mary Palmer, whose legacy contributed to the cost of the boathouse, was a vice chairman of the Alsager ladies lifeboat guild, who were well represented at the ceremony.

The new building was handed over by Christopher Weatherby, on behalf of the donors, to Air Vice Marshall John Tetley. RNLI Deputy Chairman.On station ALL-WEATHER Falmouth ON-1256(17-29) Richard Cox Scoff on 18 December 2001 ON-1201 (17-02) withdrawn to relief fleet Relief Fleet ON-1257( 17-30) William Gordon Burron 15 February 2002 INSHORE Southend B-776 Vic & Bitlie Whtffen on 8 December 2001 B-567 withdrawn to relief fleet Thames (Gravesend, Tower Pier and Chiswick) E-OOl, E-002, E-003 and E-004 on 2 January 2002 E-005 and E-006 on 21 February 2002 Teddington D-477 Pride of Nuneaton and Bedworth on 2 January 2002 Mablethorpe B-778 Joan Mary on 10 January 2002 B-745 returned to relief fleet Kessock B-771 Moray Dolphin on 2 February 2002 B-709 returned to relief fleet Skegness D-573 Leicester Fox II on 20 February 2002 D-46Q withdrawn to Poole depot Portrush D-572 Ken and Mary on 21 February 2002 D-456 withdrawn Sligo Bay B-781 Eisinore on 26 February 2002 B-580 returned to relief fleet Looe D-574 Regina Mary on 5 March 2002 D-461 withdrawn to Poole depotPadstow lifeboat station celebrates 175 years of saving lives at sea Padstow has the second-oldest established lifeboat station in Cornwall. It was set up on 24 January 1827 mainly as a result of the efforts of Commander Williams, chief officer of coastguards. He collected C30 towards the cost of providing a lifeboat and contacted the National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, the fore-runner to the RNLI, which agreed to make a donation of £10 and place the station on its records.

The first lifeboat, built at Padstow by John Tredwen, was Mariners' Friend, a four-oared, single-bank rowing lifeboat There are no records of her service. The station was at Hawker's Cove, within the shelter of Stepper Point.

Padstow lifeboats, 15 in all, have saved over 620 lives, although not without great sacrifice.

Three lifeboats have been lost in two separate disasters, with the loss of 13 lives. Padstow lifeboatmen have won 23 Silver Medals, two Bronze Medals and two BEM Medals. Over the 175 years, 25 coxswains and hundreds of volunteers have made up the crews.Retirements The following crew have retired from duty William Farquhar Thurso coxswain Appointments The following new appointments have been made Mark Sawyer Eastbourne coxswain Robert White: Number superintendent coxswain Colin Millar Troon mechanic William Munro: Thurso coxswain Daniel Atkinson: Humber crew member Kippford brings new meaning to boathouse For as long as the crew can remember, Kippford lifeboat station had operated out of a garage with no facilities. Numerous efforts to find a more suitable site had failed. Then divisional inspector John Caldwell spotted a house for sale on the main street. He realised its potential and then had the uphill task of convincing everyone else that he wasn't off his head.

Architects Robert Potter & Partners came up with the design and the work began. The finished boathouse blends in perfectly with the surrounding houses and the crew can enjoy modern facilities at last..