Pembroke Ladies Lifeboat Guild president and member Jennie McIntosh has stepped down after 38 years service to the RNLI.

The Guild held its 2022 AGM recently, at the Old Kings Arms Hotel, courtesy of vice president, Mrs Shirley Wheeler. It was the first AGM back at the hotel since March 2019.

Guild president, Jennie opened the meeting, officially thanking all for their service and support during her presidency, before announcing her decision to step down.

Jennie paid tribute to members Cynthia Field and Kate Spencer who passed away in 2020, and also paid tribute to Major Ramsden of Cosheston, who passed away recently. Major Ramsden's late mother Mrs. Basil Ramsden was a founder member of Pembroke Ladies Lifeboat Guild in February 1949. His daughter-in-law Ira Ramsden is currently a Guild member.

Jennie described her 38 years of RNLI fundraising in Pembrokeshire, having started in Angle. The majority of her service has been with Pembroke Guild, latterly as president for 5 years.

“From all members perspective, Jennie has given masses of time and effort to RNLI fundraising - nothing less than running the London Marathon, whitewater rafting for the Tamar class Lifeboat fundraising appeal, a few years ago too!” said a spokesperson for Pembroke Ladies Lifeboat Guild

“Jennie has produced tickets and posters for events ‘forever’ saving the Guild huge expense.

“Her presence at meetings, huge contribution from both she and husband Doug regularly at events over the years, will be a great miss. They can both now support differently as their busy lives allow.”

Before stepping down, Jennie has just completed the 2022 RNLI Quiz, with this year’s topic ‘All The Fun Of The Fair and Circus’ - and she is also kindly working on a 2023 quiz.

The 2022 Quiz will be launched on May 6 at the RNLI Mayday Musical Celebration with Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir at Pembroke Town Hall.

Following Jennie’s announcement, reports were made by officers, and Viv Kerrison was nominated as the new president, with Vilma Polhill nominated as new vice president.

New officers were also elected, and serving Guild officers were voted in en bloc.

Amazing funds had been raised thanks to the quiz income, souvenir sales and public donations were realised during the lockdowns.

Treasurer, Penny Blackborow produced accounts giving totals of £5,013.12 and £4,859.79 for each year respectively.

Souvenir sales too, were outstanding, only being possible in short periods over the pandemic. Joan Giles, souvenir secretary, observed this and still achieved profit of £1105.62 in 2020 plus £2271.45 in 2022.

Together, these amounts would buy an inshore rescue water craft for the RNLI Lifeguards and much more.

The meeting concluded with Jennie presenting the ‘president's badge’ to well known longstanding member Viv Kerrison.

Unfortunately, longstanding, retiring, Pembroke Dock box secretary and Guild member Maggie Pegg was unable to attend.

Huge thanks went to Maggie - another member with such talents saving the Guild such a great deal of expense over the years.

The Guild were unanimous and delighted that Vilma (who was unable to attend) had been honoured as a new vice president.

After an extraordinary two years, Pembroke Guild members remain as loyal as ever, with thanks going to them all.

Thanks were also given to - The Old Kings Arms Hotel; vice president Shirley Wheeler, proprietor; director, Norman Edwards for such a wonderful welcome back.

Pictured (left to right) are: Michelle Hitchcock, minute secretary; Sandra Thompson, outgoing minute secretary; outgoing president Jennie McIntosh; new president, Viv Kerrison; newly appointed assistant treasurer, Lynn Lewsley.