The new inshore lifeboat donated to Salcombe RNLI was officially named and adopted at a waterside ceremony.

The RNLI Salcombe volunteer crew was blessed with a warm spring day to hold the formal naming ceremony of their new B-class lifeboat Gladys Hilda Mustoe on Tuesday.

Approximately 200 people witnessed a very traditional ceremony with a Service of Dedication and Salcombe Gospel Choir performing ‘Crossing the Bar’.

The congregation sang the National Anthem to start the ceremony, followed by Rear Admiral Bruce Williams CBE, Lifeboat Management Group chairman welcomed guests and opened proceedings.

Ros Farmer, friend of Gladys Mustoe, whose legacy funded the lifeboat, for more than 25 years, calling her a “kind and generous woman” but someone who had a “strong character” who would “question anything that she didn’t think was right”.

Working for Kings College Hospital in London, Gladys’ job was to raise funds for Kings Medical Research Trust. She spoke of her love of the sea and cruising, particularly in Mediterranean seas. In later years, when she became very ill she bore her illness throughout with fortitude and good humour.

Clive Kirby, nephew of Gladys Mustoe, officially handed the lifeboat into the care of the RNLI.

Paul Boissier, RNLI chief executive accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI before handing it into the care of Salcombe Lifeboat Station. Whereupon Mark Dowie, lifeboat operations manager, and Chris Winzar, coxswain accepted it on behalf of the station and crew.

After a Service of Dedication, conducted by The Reverend Daniel French, Mark Dowie invited Mr Kirby to officially name the lifeboat and in keeping with the local theme of inclusion, a bottle of Salcombe Gin was used to finally seal the name Gladys Hilda Mustoe.

After a short speech and vote of thanks from Salcombe Town Mayor Mike Fice and whilst three cheers rang out for the RNLI, the Gladys Hilda Mustoe slipped into the water.

With crewmembers Sam Viles, Iain Dundas, James Marshall and Jeff Gillard aboard, they proceeded at slow speed through the Harbour giving all who had gathered on the shore the chance for a close-up view and pictures.

Mark Dowie said: “It’s been a great day, the service was wonderful and it’s a great way for us to get together the lifeboat community, all the crew, former crew, fundraisers, helpers and the donors, the people who gave the money for the lifeboat, to launch the lifeboat on its service life.”

At the close guests were then invited to the Fortescue Arms for light refreshments.

This was not the end of the volunteer’s day, for on the turn of the tide the Gladys Hilda Mustoe plus a small flotilla of launches sailed into Kingsbridge. It was to this town that the first Salcombe lifeboat was delivered by road 149 years ago, before being rowed by its crew to its newly built lifeboat station in Salcombe.

The flotilla was meet and welcomed by the Deputy Mayor, Anne Balkwill, and many residents when it came alongside at Crabshell Quay. After several short speeches, the crew and officials discussed with many the advanced features of the new boat before being invited into the Crabshell for light refreshments.

The crew of RNLI Salcombe feel the day was one that Gladys Hilda Mustoe would have approved of.

RNLI Salcombe would like to thank all for making this such a memorable day, with special thanks to The Salcombe Gin Company, The Fortescue Inn and the Crabshell Inn for their continued support.

Watch the video of the launch below and visit our YouTube channel, South Hams Newspapers, or our social media to see the Salcombe Gospel Choir sing 'Crossing the Bar'.