Bro Fred Walkington MBE dipped into his unique collection of historic photographs to look at the development of lifeboats on the Yorkshire coast and the relationship with the communities they serve.

Many fishing ports, including Bridlington in 1805, had lifeboats manned by local volunteers before the RNLI became active in 1825. Fred described them as simple and heavy open rowing boats requiring a lot of people to turn out to launch and retrieve them.

He showed how lifeboats developed technically over the years, becoming self-righting, then motorised. Launching techniques improved too.  He described how they now work in conjunction with helicopters.

Fred also gave a roll call of the lifeboats on the Yorkshire coast including rare photographs of the little known Barmston lifeboat and the permanently manned Spurn station. He highlighted some of the notable people involved.

At Hornsea we have now come full circle.  The RNLI no longer supports a lifeboat there but the locals want one.  Their inshore boat is supported by the local community.

The Vote of Thanks was given by Bro Max Lunn.