The Ferry Inn at Pembroke Ferry was an appropriate venue for the recent presentation of a £1,305 cheque towards the Angle Lifeboat Tamar Appeal. And adding to the maritime atmosphere at the inn were sea shanties sung by The Vagrants Crew, who had contributed towards the sum raised.

Angle lifeboat operations manager, John Allen- Mirehouse, said the money was a welcome contribution towards the new hi-tech Tamar lifeboat, currently under construction.

Expected to be on station next summer, the new lifeboat will enable Angle lifeboatmen to provide a better and quicker service.

Four of those volunteer lifeboatmen were at the presentation, and Mr. Allen-Mirehouse explained that two of them had, less than 24 hours previously, been involved in a search for two missing divers off Grassholm. Thankfully the divers were found alive.

He praised those involved in the fund-raising. The bulk of the money - £1,000 - had come from the Ferry Inn's fund-raising efforts, including the sale of lottery bonus balls, while £70 was raised by Kath Klau, who made cakes which were sold by her son Alexander at his workplace at the Total Milford Haven Refinery.

A further £235 had come from The Vagrants Crew who raised the money by singing sea shanties and folk songs at events such as the Cardiff Harbour Festival, Barry Tall Ships Festival, the Big Cheese Festival in Caerphilly, Pontardawe Boat Festival, Fishguard Folk Festival, Pembrokeshire Fish Week, and Angle Regatta.

The cheque was presented by Norma Surtees, on behalf of the Ferry Inn, and Peter Pearce, one of the original members of The Vagrants Crew, which was formed in 1983.

• The new Tamar class lifeboat can withstand the worst of conditions and is designed to be faster, safer and more effective than its predecessors. The appeal to raise £1 million towards its cost is well underway. To make a donation visit the appeal website at http://www.tamar4angle.org.uk">www.tamar4angle.org.uk