Legacy left by Joyces - Ralph The below is from page 17 RNLI annual report and account 2021

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"From tiny acorns.

An Aldeburgh Mechanic carries his lucky silver acorn from Joyce on every launch Joyce’s legacy will fund a Shannon launch and recovery system for the station, like this one at Hoylake Legend has it that carrying acorns will bring you good luck. Nowhere is this belief stronger than at Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station. It grew from real-life tragedy when, in December 1899, seven Aldeburgh lifeboat volunteers were lost during a rescue in ferocious seas. Afterwards, Crew Member Augustus Mann believed his survival was down to the lucky acorns he had in his pocket. Those same three acorns have been carried on Aldeburgh lifeboats ever since. This story touched Joyce Powell, a chartered accountant from Winchmore Hill in London, who spent many summers enjoying concerts and music festivals in Aldeburgh. It was here she developed a strong interest in – and respect for – the lifeboat volunteers. On the 100th anniversary of the disaster Joyce hosted a dinner for all 50 of the station’s volunteers, giving each of them a silver acorn. That remains a precious moment for them but it wasn’t until Joyce’s recent passing that they realised she had greater ambitions. Joyce had left them a generous gift in her Will, which will not only fund the launch and recovery system for their new Shannon lifeboat but also help with shoreworks to prepare the station for its new craft in 2022. Following Joyce’s wishes, the state-of-the-art rig will be named Ralph. The name is something of a riddle but Joyce’s sister believes it could be a special someone from Joyce’s student days at Moscow University. So, as well as having their lucky acorns, the crew will now have Joyce and mystery man Ralph powering every launch"  (search - RNLI annual report and accounts 2021, page 17)