Llandudno’s new lifeboat station opened on Saturday, after years of fundraising, grant applications and build work.
Over 300 invited guests attended the service, including Aberconwy Assembly Member, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, and local MPs.
The service officially opened the boathouse, and named the new All-weather Shannon-Class lifeboat (the William F Yates), which has a launching and recovery system, and the new inshore D-Class lifeboat (the Dr Barbara Saunderson). [Further details in notes.]
Moving tributes were paid to the many generous donors, and volunteers, as well as the late Mr Ray Evans, who campaigned tirelessly to secure a new Boathouse able to hold boats of this calibre.
Janet said:
“This poignant opening represents many years of hard work and dedication by so many involved with Llandudno RNLI.
“This new facility, and the two new D- and Shannon-Class vessels, will provide a hugely important service to Llandudno and north Wales.
“So much of the work of the RNLI is down to its fantastic volunteers, and we must thank them for their tremendous and selfless work over the years in helping to keep so many people safe – so often facing treacherous conditions out at sea when undertaking rescues.
“Tributes paid at the opening to the late Mr Ray Evans were particularly moving. Ray never gave up in his fight for a new boathouse, and it was so touching to see him remembered by so many.
“Sincere thanks must go to the donors, volunteers, campaigners, and so many others, who gave so generously to see this dream become a reality – particularly Dr Barbara Saunderson and William F Yates, after whom the two new boats are named.”
ENDS
Photos:
- Janet Finch-Saunders AM (Aberconwy) and the Rt Hon David Jones MP (Clwyd West) at the official opening on Saturday
- RNLI Crew Volunteers
- The new boats
From RNLI Press Release:
Llandudno RNLI volunteers have today celebrated the pinnacle of a busy year as the team officially opened the new boathouse and held a service of dedication to name the station’s Shannon and D-class lifeboats.
The service officially opened the new RNLI boathouse in Craig-y-Don as well as name the all-weather Shannon class lifeboat William F Yates and D-class lifeboat Dr Barbara Saunderson. As part of the naming and service of dedication both lifeboats were accepted and welcomed into the RNLI’s lifesaving fleet.
Invited guests were welcomed to the private event this afternoon by station Chairman and long-time fundraiser Dr JJ Green. The honour of officially opening the long-awaited boathouse was given to former RNLI Director of Operations Michael Vlasto OBE and Jenny Evans, wife of the late Ray Evans who campaigned tirelessly for years to help secure planning for the new RNLI boathouse on Llandudno’s seafront.
The station’s D-class lifeboat Dr Barbara Saunderson was presented to the charity by the brother of the late Dr Saunderson, Brian Saunderson. Dr Saunderson was a life-long supporter of the RNLI who regularly popped into the station to enjoy a cup of tea and a chat with the lifeboat crew.
The £2.2M Shannon class lifeboat William F Yates has been funded thanks to a number of donors. The all-weather lifeboat was named this afternoon by Peter Forster-Dean, executor of the Gladys Yates estate in memory of William Frederick Marple Yates. Both Mr yates and his wife Gladys were both born in Widnes, Lancashire but had great affection for Llandudno.
Both lifeboats – the William F Yates and the Dr Saunderson – were accepted by the charity by RNLI Operations Director George Rawlinson. The lifeboats and the launch and recovery system were then handed into the care of Captain Marcus Elliot, who accepted the lifesaving equipment on behalf of Llandudno lifeboat station.
Captain Marcus Elliott, Llandudno volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager said:
‘Today was a special and long-awaited day for all involved with Llandudno RNLI. An RNLI naming ceremony and service of dedication is a chance for the charity’s volunteers to thank those whose generous donations have funded the lifeboats which will be saving lives on the coast for years to come.
‘This is an exciting new chapter for Llandudno lifeboat crew and supporters. As operational training and activities has been priority for the crew over recent weeks, the new boathouse will not be open to the public until later in November. We want to make sure that everything is perfect when we open the doors to the public and our supporters. On behalf of Llandudno lifeboat crew I would like to thank the community for their continued support over recent years.’
Since the arrival of the Shannon class lifeboat William F Yates the crew have been busy taking part in intensive training as they familiarise themselves with the new lifeboat and its launch and recovery kit. The all-weather lifeboat and the new boathouse was officially declared operational on Tuesday 10 October.