Welcome to That Was The Year That Was, a review of an eventful 2015, as compiled by MICK HOWES and MARK BOGGIS. In the ninth part, we look back at some of the stories making the headlines in The Journal last September.

Lowestoft Journal: The Duke of Kent attends the naming ceremony of the 'Patsy Knight' lifeboat in Lowestoft.Speaking with coxswain John FoxThe Duke of Kent attends the naming ceremony of the 'Patsy Knight' lifeboat in Lowestoft.Speaking with coxswain John Fox (Image: Archant)

Rain falls on annual Gala Day – Organisers of the Lowestoft Lions Gala Day expressed their disappointment as heavy rain hit their main charity event for a second successive year. With more than ten hours of entertainment planned for the Gala Day at Nicholas Everitt Park in Oulton Broad on Bank Holiday Monday the poor weather impacted on visitor numbers once more.

But people who braved the conditions still enjoyed the entertainment.

Fundraiser praised – The inspirational work of Elaine High, who has raised more than £70,000 in her son's memory with the Taylor High Memorial Fund, saw her shortlisted as one of the finalists to represent the ITV Anglia region in the Pride of Britain Fundraiser Awards.

Help for Refugees – As the Syrian refugee crisis shocked the nation, kind-hearted people in Lowestoft and Southwold came forward to offer help. Five-year-old Charlie Marsh wanted to invite refugee children to stay at his house in Secret Close, Carlton Colville and play with his toys. His mum set up a 'Just Giving' page to allow people to donate to Charlie's campaign – and it raised more than £1,000. Val McCurdy's campaign to help people fleeing the war-torn country, soon grew into a network of supporters.

After the donations grew too big for her Lowestoft home, she joined forces with a similar group in Halesworth and sent much-needed aid to refugees in Greece, Calais, France and to Syria, via Turkey.

St Felix School also announced that it would offer a place to at least two teenage orphans who have fled the civil war in Syria.

Big 90s Reunion – A sell-out 90s reunion for those who used to party at Lowestoft's popular Tiffin's and Hedley House (Carlton Manor) nightclubs, which have long been closed, was recreated at The Aquarium, at the Claremont Pier.

Music from the era was played, while images of famous TV shows and historic events was screened to 800 people.

Duke names town lifeboat – An historic occasion was celebrated when the Duke of Kent, president of the RNLI, named Lowestoft's new lifeboat.

The sun was shining at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club for the naming ceremony of the Shannon class lifeboat 'Patsy Knight'.

Lowestoft boxer dances on Strictly – Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo hot-footed it onto the dance floor with South African Oti Mabuse when he took part in Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One.

After a wardrobe malfunction led to Anthony splitting his trousers halfway through his first dance, he progressed but sadly he became the second contestant to leave the contest.

Staff and pupils at Ormiston Denes Academy continued to support another Strictly dancer, Eastenders actress Kellie Bright, whose father Alan works at the school.