Royal day at Ferryside

The Duchess of Gloucester, commandant- in-chief, for St John Ambulance in Wales, offically opened the revamped inshore lifeboat station at Ferryside.
The day was tinged with sadness that the late Gwyn Thomas, who had inspired the new boathouse more than three years ago was not present to celebrate the realising of his ambition.
But his wife and daughter Joan and Jennifer were able to attend.
The Rev Canon Aled Griffiths, St John Chaplain for Carmarthenshire, dedicated the new lifeboat station supported by Vicar of Llanelli, the Rev Sian Jones.
The Duchess was presented to the widow of the former Commander of Dyfed and Powys, Mrs Beryl Davies and former area commissioner for Dyfed, Gerald Kent.
Her Royal Highness presented four certificates of Priory votes of thanks for their support to Brian Beynon, William John Rogers, Barry Saunders and Sidney John Saunders.
Lifeboat Coxswain Tony Bean said the station averaged 25 call outs a year involving between 50 and 60 lives.
He said: “They are not all life threatening experiences but the relief expressed by those rescued makes our efforts so worthwhile.
“The lifeboat station which has been little more than a shed on this estuary – the second highest and falling estuary in the world-has now got a home worthy of all the heroic deeds performed off this shore for 165 years.”

Ferryside CP School pupil Megan Rees, a daughter of senior Ferryside lifeboat crew member Anthony presents the Duchess of Gloucester with a bouquet on opening the £90,000 new lifeboat station. Pics: Jeff Connell

The Duchess of Gloucester invited the widow of the late Gwyn Thomas who inspired the lifeboat station, Jean Thomas, and her daughter Jennifer and William John Rogers to unveil the plaque declaring Ferryside lifeboat station open.

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