Anstruther Lifeboat Station 12m Mersey Class Boat Kingdom of Fife News & Events

LATEST NEWS

Lifeboat Open Day a great success

photos by Roger Grundy, John Kingsman Copyright 28/06/08

A very successful Open Day was held with approximately 500 locals and visitors taking the opportunity to visit the station and meet some of the crew.
Many children collected sea safely leaflets, gifts, colourings pads sticker etc. All the visitors were able to learn about the local lifeboat station and the work of the RNLI.
They also had the opportunity to board the Mersey Class All Weather Lifeboat "Kingdom of Fife" and were able to view the IB1 D Class Inshore Lifeboat "Rotary Centenary Queen".
Some of the ILB crew gave capsize demonstrations in the harbour while local Coastguard personnel were also present along with the RNLI Sea Safety Officer
to give advice on all aspects of sailing and power boating.The Anstruther Lifeboat Station would like to thank the public for their support
in purchasing from the barbeque, plus raffle tickets and RNLI souvenirs.
The Open Day has for this year replaced the Gala, which has been cancelled due to imminent construction works on the site,
to extend the Lifeboat Station to permanently house the ILB and general station improvements.

Lifeboats attend St Monans Sea Queen

photo by John Kinsman Copyright 14/06/08

The ALB & ILB lifeboats from Anstruther accompanied the Reaper carrying the Sea Queen to
St Monans harbour for the Sea Queen festival

More classic cars come to Anstruther

photos by Roger Grundy, Copyright 08/06/08

Over 70 cars from the Daimler & Lanchester Car club held their International event around the Lifeboat Station
while raising funds for the RNLI, prizes were presented by Sir Ming Campbell.

Mini Clan come to Anstruther

photos by Roger Grundy, Copyright 25/05/08


Over 200 of the Mini Clan took part in the sponsored Thistle Run to Anstruther raising money for the RNLI
and other charities. A family day out for the enthusiasts and public who gave generously to the Anstruther Lifeboat,
prizes were handed out by Coxswain Stephen Small.

Co-op raises over £26,000 for the RNLI

photo by Bill Hill Copyright 19/05/08
Alex Purves hands over a photograph to John McNeill watched by crew & Co-op staff

The Scottish Co-operative movement was the largest corporate supporter of RNLI SOS day across Britain.
Staff & customers raised over £26,000 for the RNLI, a cheque was handed over at the store in Anstruther,
then a photograph of the 'Kingdom of Fife' was presented to the Scottish Co-operative's chief officer John McNeill.

'Kingdom of Fife'

photo by Paul Lewis Copyright 26/04/08

photo by Roger Grundy Copyright 26&30/04/08

The Kingdom of Fife is now back on service as Anstruther Lifeboat following engine repairs.
Equipment and charts are transferred to Anstruther Lifeboat.

The Lifeboat Bingo Lifeline returned to Poole as part of the relief fleet of lifeboats.

Anstruther Lifeboat Gala

The Anstruther Lifeboat gala committee have reluctantly decided to cancel this years gala as there could
be major construction works underway to extend the Lifeboat station.

The annual raffle will still be held and kippers / burgers etc will be sold at this years OPEN DAY on 28/06/08.

The committee would like to thank all the volunteers and exhibitors who gave their time in the past and the
public who have given so generously.

2009 gala is now being planned, date to be announced.

DATES        FOR      YOUR     DIARY:

EVENTS

Lifeboat attendance subject to operational requirements

Next exercise *
(Lifeboat launch & Recovery)
05/07/08 at 12:30

ILB
02/07/08 at 18:30

SOUVENIRS and GIFTS

Come & visit the Gift shop at the Lifeboat Station - open daily 11:30 - 5pm

The gift shop at the Lifeboat Station with a revised layout, new stock is on display,
visitors can also view the lifeboat from the gallery, see the history of the lifeboats from 1865,
collect information on the RNLI & obtain posters of the Lifeboats.
 

NEWS ROUND UP

Relief Lifeboat

photo by Roger Grundy Copyright 07/03/08

The Kingdom of Fife has had to be taken off service and to Eyemouth for engine repairs.
The relief Lifeboat Bingo Lifeline will be on station for a few weeks while repairs are carried out and sea trials conducted.

East Neuk Dook

photo by John Kinsman & Fiona Grundy Copyright 05/01/08

Lifeboats were on standby to assist the brave souls who entered the
East Neuk Dook at 12:30 on 05/01/08 wearing only swimming costumes, jumping in and
swimming across the harbour mouth on a very cold day with a strong swell running!!.
Raising money for charity the event is organised by Kevin Corps and has raised around
£15,000 during the six years for various charities including the RNLI.

Anstruther Sailing Club cheque presentation

photo by Paul Lewis Copyright 27/10/07
Commodore Cairns Birrell (left) hands cheque to Coxswain Stephen Small

Anstruther Sailing Club held a charity auction at its recent annual dinner and raised a total of £430
The club decided to present it to the RNLI at Anstruther.

Gala day cheque presentation

photo by Paul Lewis Copyright 27/10/07
Rachel Stewart (left) receives a cheque from second coxswain Michael Bruce
watched by members of the Gala Committee

RNLI area fundraising manager Rachel Stewart was invited to receive a cheque for £5824
the proceeds of Anstruther Lifeboat Gala Day held during the summer. (see separate report)
The money will go towards the replacemnet Fast Carriage Boat 2 in a few years time at Anstruther.

David Mitchell's retirement

photo by Paul Lewis Copyright 27/10/07
David (left) is congratulated by Coxswain Stephen Small

Anstruther Lifeboat Mechanic David Mitchell retired on 27/10/07 after 31 years service
with the RNLI. David joined the RNLI at Anstruther in 1976 and in 1989 became the
full time mechanic / crewman and played a prominent role in establishing the Mersey Class
All Weather Lifeboat the 'Kingdom of Fife' on station. After his last exercise there was a
small reception in the crew room arranged by Lifeboat crew and supporters wives
David was toasted by his friends and cut a cake to mark the special event.

David's Lifeboat Mechanic's position has now been filled by Senior ILB Helm
and Deputy Second Coxswain Alex Purves (centre)

SOS Day launched at Anstruther

photo by Paul Lewis Copyright 27/10/07

The RNLI launched SOS Day as 25th January 2008. It is appealing for people to hold a
SOS - themed fundraising event to help raise £50,000 across the country to train
RNLI lifeboats crews. For a free SOS fundraising pack or more information visit
www.rnli.org.uk/sos or phone 0845 121 4999

Cheque presentation

photo by Paul Lewis Copyright 27/10/07
Coxswain Stehen Small recives the Cheque from Becky

Becky Wilson and her Granny Ruth Guthrie are pictured handing over a cheque for £100
to coxswain Stephen Small. The presentation was in memory of her Uncle Ian Donald and
crew of the fishing boat Meridian, tragically lost in October 2006.
Becky had made & sold Christmas Gift Cards from recycled Christmas Cards.

Anstruther Lifeboat Gala Day *
Held on Saturday 14/07/07

The annual Lifeboat Gala day was a great success with over 7000 people, locals
and visitors enjoying the day, even after a gray damp start.
The event raised over £10,000 for the RNLI
and the Anstruther Lifeboat Station.

Before the day was opened by the firing of a maroon at 1pm, the Kingdom of Fife ALB
had been called to incident No11(see service returns).

Following the parades and events, a rescue demonstration by the Anstruther ALB plus ILB
with Dunbar Lifeboat along with members of the Coastguard and Rescue Helicopter
from Boulmer took place, until a real incident happened and the rescue services had to respond.

Through out the day the brave queued to take part in the 'Bungee Jump' also helping to raise money for the RNLI

Lifeboat Gala day images
Crowds at the stalls, young enthusiasts try on the kit.
Lifeboats in action and bungee jumping

Photo by John Kinsman Copyright

Royal visit to Anstruther Lifeboat Station 30/05/07

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke & Duchess of Rothesay visited the Anstruther Lifeboat Station
to meet the crew and fundraisers, view the lifeboats and see the building plans for the Station extension.

John Murray MBE

The Coxswain & Crew of the Anstruther Lifeboat Station add their congratulations to ex coxswain
John Murray on the award of his MBE in the recent Queens Birthday Honours list.
John retired in January 2007 after 33 years service to the RNLI, he remains chairman of the Fund Raising Branch

Lifeboat Open Day

Around 250 visitors were shown around the station during open day, many children collecting sea safely
gifts, colourings pads sticker etc. All the visitors were able learn about the local lifeboat station and the work of the RNLI
and have the opportunity to board the Kingdom of Fife All Weather Lifeboat.

IB1 Handing Over & Naming Ceremony

The new IB1 inshore Lifeboat D667 was today formally handed over to the RNLI and Anstruther Lifeboat Station by David Rankin
Assistant Governor Zone 6 Fife Rotary, Fife clubs raised £15,000 towards the cost of the lifeboat to mark the Rotary Centenary.
The lifeboat was named The Rotary Centenary Queen by Mrs Margery Eglinton. Over 200 invited guests and crew attended and
after the demonstration they were offered buffet lunch sponsored by the Dunfermline Building Society within the boathouse.

Coxswains from left , Dep 2nd Cox Alex Purves, 2nd Cox Michael Bruce, Coxswain Stephen Small IB1 D667 The Rotary Centenary Queen	Mrs Margery Eglinton names the lifeboat with Alex Purves Senior Helm Guests and Lifeboat were piped in
Posed before the demonstration Invited guests and public watch the IB1 demonstration	IB1 demonstrates its capabilities The christening cake served with the buffet lunch in the boathouse

New photograhs of both boats in action

D Class in action on a shout off Elie - R D Grundy Copyright Anstruther crew

Mersey Class in action - R D Grundy Copyright Anstruther crew

Mersey Class in action - R D Grundy Copyright Anstruther crew

Dropping in on Lifeboat Gala DAY

Photo by permission of Andrew Hilton (copyright)

Captured high above Anstruther two sky divers
heading for Anstruther harbour during Lifeboat Gala Day.

NEWS - STATION OPS

The record for the busiest year ever (in terms of Service Calls) of the Anstruther station's
142 year history was broken in 2007 with 53 Service Calls.

(Details on Service Archive Page)

BOOKS

The History of Anstruther Lifeboat Station

	Part 1 The history of the Anstruther Lifeboat from 1865 to 1985 is detailed within sixty pages recalling the boats, the crews, their struggle with the sea and the brave rescues attempted. Including 34 period b/w photographs, the Appendix gives details of the Anstruther Harbour development and crew awards.
	Part 2 Continues the story from 1985 to the current Mersey Class Lifeboat 'Kingdom of Fife' the Boathouse alterations, the boat testing and crew training required for operation of the new boat, details are also given of the launching and recovery procedures. All contained with 42 pages and 24 colour / b/w photographs.

Covers reproduced by permission of the author Michael Welch

Both books are available in the RNLI Souvenir Shop at the Boathouse Anstruther.

or by post at the reduced price of £2.50 plus £1p&p
(UK only, Please contact for other areas)

Cheques / PO for £3.50 made payable to Anstruther Lifeboat
at The Lifeboat Station
Middle Pier
Anstruther
Fife
Scotland
KY10 3AB

please contact r.grundy@zetnet.co.uk for further details

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