New lifeboat and station in Burnham-on-Sea It was a sunny day of double celebration in Burnham-on-Sea when a new lifeboat station was opened and a new lifeboat handed over.

The Atlantic 75 lifeboat serving the Somerset town was officially named at a service of dedication on Saturday 15 May. More than 73 years after the town's original station was closed down, Jonathon Whitfield donated the Staines Whitfietd in memory of his parents.

RNLI Council Member John Drake accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the charity before officially delivering her into the care of the lifeboat station.

The station, which was completed last year, was then declared open by Sir Benjamin Bathurst GCB DL, before Rev Graham Witts of Burnham's St Andrew's Church conducted a service of dedication.

The town's sea rescue service had been previously provided by the Burnham Area Rescue Boat (BARB), which raised enough funds to buy a lifeboat in 1994.

RNLI Training Divisional Inspector Howard Ramm said: This event marks the successful end to four years of planning and extensive trials. Burnham-on-Sea lifeboat station is a welcome asset to the RNLI and is good news for the town. I thank everyone for their hard work and determination so far, in particular the members of BARB, and wish the volunteer team now on station the best of luck in the future.1 The original station was closed in 1930 when motor lifeboats were placed at Minehead and Weston-Super-Mare.New Holyhead lifeboat - Christopher Pearce Guests included the RNLI's President, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent and the charity's Chairman Peter Nicholson on 6 May at a naming ceremony for the new Holyhead lifeboat.

The £ 1.9M Severn class was named Christopher Pearce after the man whose bequest provided the principal funding for the lifeboat. His mother, Mrs Diana Jean Pearce, officially handed the lifeboat over to Mr Nicholson at the ceremony. Christopher's brother, Andrew, has also sadly passed away, and his generous legacy funded the lifeboat Andy Pearce at nearby Llandudno.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Pearce said: 'I would like to thank the RNLI for the opportunity which allowed both my sons' lifeboats to be so close together.1 After the naming ceremony, the Duke of Kent joined Mrs Pearce, Coxswain Brian Thomson and the crew on board the new lifeboat for a trip around Holyhead harbour.

Since a lifeboat station was first established in Holyhead in 1828, more than 1,500 people have been saved and 49 medals for gallantry have been awarded.

Pictured on board the newly-named Christopher Pearte are crew members, Mrs Diana jean Pearce, Coxswain Brian Thomson and HRHThe Duke of Kent Photo: Ray Steadman New lifeboat and facilities at Salcombe Salcombe has a new inshore lifeboat, lifeboat house and improved launching facilities thanks to the generosity of RNLI supporters.

On 17 April, a naming and dedication ceremony saw the handing over of the Atlantic 75 Joan Sate - the second of four lifeboats funded by Miss Joan Bate.

Generous gifts including the bequests of Mrs JE Ward and Mr KJ Lucas have also paid for the inshore lifeboat house and new launching and mooring facilities for Salcombe's existing Tyne class The Baltic Exchange II.

Dr Maurice Jackson handed over the lifeboat on behalf of the donor at the ceremony, where almost 200 people were in attendance. Simon Ward, on behalf of those whose support helped pay for the boathouse, cut the ribbon and the new facility was declared open.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Peter Hodges said: 'Our crew are delighted with the new ILB and the excellent facilities, so a big thank you from me on their behalf for the support received from the RNLI and for the tremendous generosity of our donors.' Also see page 28.New appointments Turner Kirkpatrick - Girvan Lifeboat Operations Manager Ivor McPhillips - Dunbar Branch Honorary President Captain P Mitchell BSC MM - Sundertand Lifeboat Operations Manager Dave Steenvoorden - Number Coxswain PaulVince - Portsmouth Deputy Launching Authority Mr William John Aldridge - Padstow Mechanic Christopher Barnes - Number Second Mechanic John Devereux - Kilmore Quay Coxswain Jim Dougal - Eyemouth Coxswain Neil McCabe - Arbroath Mechanic Colin McKechnie - Girvan Lifeboat Operations Manager Colin Pavey - Weymouth MechanicAwards for Hastings Lifeboat station members Four lifeboatmen from Hastings have received long service badges.

Administration Officer Andrew Backway and Shore Helper David Morley both joined in 1982. Deputy Head Launcher Richard Read joined in 1970, and Michael Payne, who is the longest serving member, joined back in 1958. Michael is still an active member of the launch and recovery team.

Pictured left to right: David Morley, Richard Read. Allen Head (Deputy Divisional Inspector).

Andrew Backway and Michael PayneOn station _ALLWEATHER Thurso ON-1273 Severn class 17-42 TheTayfors 7 April 2004 Kilmore Quay ON-1133Tyne class 47-021 The Famous Grouse 7 April 2004 ! J JNSHORE_ Bude D-617 Henry Philip 11 May 2004 Borth D-622May 13 May 2004.