Welcome to Sir Jock The RNLI has a new Chairman following the retirement of Peter Nicholson CBECommenting on the Trustee Committee's appointment of Admiral Sir Jock Slater CCB LVO DL in July, RNU Chief Executive Andrew Freemantle said: 'We delighted to welcome Sir Jock as our new Chairman, especially given the wealth of naval and seafaring experience that he brings with him. Sir Jock is taking over as Chairman at a very exciting time for the RNU.' Sir Jock's naval career spanned over 40 years, during which time he commanded HM Ships Soberton, Jupiter, Kent and Illustrious. In the early 1960s, Sir Jock served on HM Yacht Britannia and between 1968 and 1971 he was equerry to HM The Queen.

As an Admiral he held various commands including Chief of Fleet Support, Commander-in-Chief Fleet and Allied Commander-in-Chief Channel Eastern Atlantic, and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. Since his retirement First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in 1998, Sir Jock's appointments have included Chairman of the Imperial War Museum, Vice Chairman of the British Forces Foundation and Chairman of the White Ensign Association.

Sir Jock has been appointed following the retirement of Peter Nicholson CBE, who has served as Chairman since 2000.

Andrew Freemantle said: 'On behalf of the RNU I'd like to extend our warmest thanks to Peter Nicholson.' Peter Nicholson was presented with a silver salver at The Lifeboat College the evening of the opening and in the presence of The Duke of Kent.D-Day remembered Taking part in one of this summer's many ceremonies to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day (6 June 19441 the Severn class lifeboat. Beth Sell, set out for Ouistreham in Normandy, where veterans gathered to remember their fallen comrades RNLI Staff Operations Officer Captain Hugh Fogarty, said: 'Volunteer lifeboat crews saved over 6,000 lives during the Second World War and, while we were not directly involved in D-Day itself, troop movements around our coastline during the build up to the battle meant many daring rescues were carried out. It's amazing to think that the service we provide today still depends on the volunteer spirit that played such a vital role during the war, as it has throughout our 180-year history.' This relief lifeboat was crewed by volunteers from Harwich station on the east coast, who were very keen to get involved. Andrew Moore, one of the crew members commented: 'There were a lot of veterans around and it was such an emotional few days. As we approached the beaches and saw their length, it was a daunting experience. You could never hope to understand what the troops went through in the D-Day landings but just being there left a lump in your throat.' While the formal ceremonies were taking place, the crew patrolled the coast, protecting those taking part. Sixty years on and it was a proud moment for them all.In a follow up to last issue's feature on shoreworks, the Lifeboat is pleased to report that the RNLI's beachfront boathouse at Barmouth, costing just over £1M, has beaten tough competition from across the UK to be hailed winner of the Local Authority Building Control National Built in Quality Awards 2004.

Designed by Clive Moore, who is also a second coxswain at Pwtlheli lifeboat station, and nominated by Cwynedd Council, the boathouse brings together traditional and innovative construction techniques to provide housing for the all weather and inshore lifeboats and up-todate facilities for their crews.

Steve Dickinson, RNLI Shoreworks Manager for the West division, said: The RNLI is absolutely delighted that the quality of this unique building, made entirely from local materials, has been recognised. Winning this award is a tribute to the excellent teamwork in designing and building this impressive boathouse, which will serve Barmouth for years to come.' Local residents have described both the building and its award as 'a marvellous tribute to those who risk their lives for others at sea. Life Savers awards DAILY EXPRESS LIFE SSMorning Readers may remember that volunteers from Alderney lifeboat station in the Channel Islands were finalists of the 2003 Daily Express/Vodafone/This Morning national Life Savers awards.

Earlier this year, the search began again for remarkable men and women who have saved the lives of others and the RNLI nominated its Bronze Medallists from Filey and St Mary's.

The judging panel said that they were 'particularly impressed' by the stories of Michael (Pip) Farline from Filey and Philip Roberts, Mark Bromham and Coxswain Andrew Howelts from St Mary's lifeboat station and they placed them on the national shortlist. The record number of entries meant an extremely difficult task for the panel in selecting the final 20 and, unfortunately, the Filey and St Mary's medallists didn't make it through.

The RNLI gained further media coverage from the awards, however, in the Daily Express, where Barrow lifeboat station was featured. Shona Dixon was also shown as a woman who puts other people's safety ahead of her own.

Shona is a crew member on Berwick- Upon-Tweed's inshore lifeboat. As a mum with three children, looking after them can be difficult when the pager goes off. But Shona's husband, Alisdair, is the deputy coxswain at the station so they work in separate crews and one of them can always be with the children.

Of course, lives are saved by RNLI volunteers every day, and every station and every crew member deserves recognition for their commitment and dedication - these awards help to remind the public about their worth.Royal Honours In HM The Queen's Birthday Honours, Peter Nicholson, the just-retired Chairman of the RNLI, was awarded a CBE in recognition of over 10 years of work and dedication to the service.

Roland Stork (former Coxswain, Bridlington lifeboat station), Graham Raines (Helmsman, Hayling Island lifeboat station) and Maurice Blake (Chairman, Surbiton branch) have all been awarded MBEs for their services to the RNLI.

Congratulations to all!Dr Who meets Miss Moneypenny Peter Davison and his children with Craster's D class and crew Popular actors Peter Davison and Samantha Bond officially opened Craster lifeboat station's Harbour Day on Saturday 31 July.

Peter and Samantha were filming a new ITV comedy drama in the area and, along with the rest of the cast, became familiar faces in the village. The lifeboat station featured in some of the action as Peter explained.

'We have had a wonderful time filming Distant Shores.

Everyone in Craster has been incredibly friendly and the RNLI volunteers have been particularly helpful. We needed to make a few temporary alterations to the lifeboat station in order to use it in the filming, so taking part in the Harbour Day was a nice way for us to say thank you.' The annual Harbour Day is Craster lifeboat committee's biggest fundraising event and this year raised around £8,000.

Activities on the day included lifeboat displays, speedboat rides and a canoe race, with a number of stalls around the harbour.

Distant Shores will be shown on ITV in the autumn. See page 11 for more news of Craster.Hunky mix u In the last issue we incorrectly said that Coxswain Martyn Phillips appeared on GMTVasoneof the entrants in the search for the 'sexiest man in uniform'. In fact it was his hunky Crew Member Mark Stapley who appeared and reached the last 12.

Apologies to all concerned.

Cheap as chips The BBC recently broadcast its first Bargain Hunt programme from Northern Ireland with two competing teams from Portaferry lifeboat station Simon Rogers (Helmsman) and Philip Robinson (Crew Member) formed the station's 'Red Team1 and Hugh Edwards (Crew Member) and Mike Miall (Member of Portaferry and District guild) the 'Blue Team'. Presenter David Dickinson was winched down into the inshore lifeboat at the start of the programme before quizzing the teams on their roles and that of the RNLI.

Nearly 4M viewers (22% of the viewing public) saw the 'Red Team1 win - but the overall winner was definitely the RNLI with such effective raising of the public's awareness.Lifeboats are go! What do Jhunderbirds, guinea pigs and the RNLI have in common? Well, they all appeared on the Blue Peter programme shown in June. Presenter Liz Barker spent time with the Morecambe and Appledore lifeboat crews, and beach lifeguards training in Devon, as a way of focusing on sea and beach safety for her young viewers.

Liz was seen piloting the RNLI hovercraft and being rescued from the treacherous Morecambe Bay mud. In Devon she took part in some Rescue Water Craft and All Terrain Vehicle training.

Blue Peter is planning to show more features about the RNLI in future programmes. Keep watching to see the RNLI, and Blue Peter presenter, Liz, go!Give us a bell The RNLI's Headquarters switchboard telephone number is being replaced by a new 'lo-call' number 0845 122 6999.

The old number will remain available for some time, although it is hoped that the transition will be complete by the end of the year. Personal direct dial numbers will not change in any way.

As well as reducing the costs to supporters of calling the RNLI HQ, this will improve our service to all our volunteers, staff and customers. If there is a sudden increase in telephone calls due to, for example, an emergency, the calls can be instantly re-directed to a call centre equipped to deal with large volumes, anywhere in the country.

You will start to see the new number publicised on a variety of RNLI communications but please do help to spread awareness of this change. Other useful numbers to note can be found on page 1.Falklands remembered Recent letters to the Lifeboat have revealed something of the role of lifeboats and their crews during the Second World War. Similar bravery was shown by members of the Merchant Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

They played a vital role in transporting troops between battle zones and in keeping food and other supply lines open to the UK despite attacks from U-boats, bombers and the like. Those 32,000 individuals who lost their lives in this way are remembered each year on Merchant Navy Day and Remembrance Sunday and, throughout the year, with a Memorial on Tower Hill in central London.

The Merchant Navy Association is now planning a smaller companion Memorial to remember the 17 merchant seamen who died in similar operations during the Falklands conflict of 1982. A trust has been set up to raise and manage the required £40,000 with the hope of unveiling the new Memorial on Merchant Navy Day, 4 September 2005.

Anyone wishing to contribute should contact the Chairman of the Merchant Navy Falklands '82 Memorial Trust and President of the Merchant Navy Association, Vivien Foster at The Flat, Raveningham Hall, Norwich, NR14 6NS.

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