Teddington RNLI celebrates naming of new lifeboat
Teddington RNLI Lifeboat station welcomed 175 people on Saturday 2 September to celebrate the naming of its new D Class Lifeboat, the Alderman Penny Shelton.
The boat was donated by Hilary Saw in memory of her sister who died in 2021.
"The RNLI is justly held to be respected and affection, as are its volunteers for their tenacity, bravery and self-giving," Saw explained in her opening speech. "It is a huge honour and privilege to name a RNLI lifeboat after a loved one."
Acknowledging name of the boat as "a bit of a mouthful", Saw said: "I wanted every pride filled syllable I could possibly have to commemorate my beloved sis."
Two other D Class lifeboats, the Olwen and Tom and the Peter Saw, named after her late husband, were also generously donated by Saw in the past. Hilary has supported the lifeboat station for the last 15 years.
In a touching speech to the crowd, detailing Penny's personality and hobbies, Saw said: "As a person [Penny] was very down to earth, hardworking, rolled up her sleeves and got on with the job, and I think that it is a perfect fit for the character of the D-class lifeboat."
Saw spoke of her sister's work as Mayor and said: "Proximity community work was paramount to Penny because she wanted to always do her best for those she represented."
The D Class inflatable lifeboat is a highly manoeuvrable lifeboat which usually operates closer to shore than the RNLI's all-weather lifeboats.
Teddington is the only station on the River Thames with two Class D lifeboats. It is especially valuable when used in searches and rescues in the surf, shallow water and confined locations. As a result, it is ideally suited to help those in need on the River Thames.
The new lifeboat will be operated from Teddington between Richmond and Hampton Court.
The ceremony was opened with the presentation of the boat to Matt Allchurch, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Teddington as well as members of the volunteer crew.
Last year Teddington RNLI attended 106 shouts and saved four lives, all of this in lifeboats gifted by Hilary and her late husband Peter.
Allchurch said: "Hilary is more than just a benefactor she is a friend of the station, our former chairperson and very much part of our crew.
"We see all our volunteers as part of our crew: whether operational, education, water safety, fundraisers, management and our Chaplin. We couldn't do this job without every one of you, we are one crew."
In line with boating tradition, local singers from the Landmark Arts Centre's community choirs came together to sing the hymn, 'Pull for The Shore' and the sea shanty, 'Harbour'. Both were specially requested by Saw and her family.
The boat was welcomed with speeches by outgoing chair Tim Ody and incoming chair Paul Corbin.
The boat was blessed and led by Lifeboat Station Chaplain, Rev. Chris Kennedy who said: "I am inspired by these people who give themselves to be a blessing to others, and a blessing in the community."
It was then 'wetted' with champagne from a previous D Class lifeboat from 2003, Spirit of the Thames, and launched by close Saw family friends, Guy and Julian.
The guests watched the boat embark on Teddington Lock, returning five minutes later with a large log which they had removed from the water for safety.
The out-going boat, Olwen and Tom is retiring after 12 years, attending 487 incidents. It is credited with assisting 83 people and saving 9 lives.
It will now be converted to an electric D Class - before being returned to Teddington for trials. Teddington will be the first station to test an electric lifeboat (also donated by Hilary Saw).
Kingston Mayor, Councillor Diane White and Richmond Mayor Councillor Suzette Nicholson attended the ceremony.
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