One of the objects of selling life-boat souvenirs is to remind people of the service and to draw attention to its work. Recently Mr. Barrie T. Kendall, C. Eng., M.R.I.N.A., Mem. S.N.A.M.E., M.N.E.C. Inst., A.M.I.Mar E., of Waltonon- Thames, Surrey, wrote that, as a small boy in the mid 19303, his parents 1produced for my immense joy a never ending succession of 8-inch papier-mache floating models of the Watson life-boat complete with a yellow funnel made of wood dowel.' These models influenced him in various directions, and his parents constantly reminded him of 'the largest piece of silver in your pocket whenever you see an R.N.L.I. collecting box'. Now Mr. Kendall has a small son, and he wanted to know if similar papier-mache life-boats were still made. A toy life-boat, although now in a different form, is still available from the Institution and costs 45. 6d.

The newly-formed youth committee of the Birmingham branch last year arranged a motor car treasure hunt. Each driver gave his services and petrol free, and each passenger was charged 55. in aid of the funds. Three separate starting places in or around the city were offered, each giving a different route during which the passengers had to answer a printed questionnaire on the various 'treasure' en route. The journeys terminated on Bromyard Downs where a picnic tea was arranged. Having placed his car at a vantage point, the chairman used the boot as a souvenir counter, and a brisk sale followed. After payment of the prize - a gift cheque - to the winner of the hunt a profit of £7 was made in addition to the proceeds obtained through the sale of souvenirs.

The following letter from a small boy, Martin Rendle, of R.A.F. Officers' Quarters, R.A.F. Valley, Anglesey, was last year received by the Holyhead branch: 'My friend, Douglas Scott, and I have raised this money for you. We have raised us. by way of a show which consisted of magic tricks, action man and his equipment.

We are sure this postal order will be used to the full'.

The Rhyl branch has been running money-raising coach trips. These have included a trip to see the illuminations at Blackpool, a visit to Manchester Airport, and journeys to Holland and Austria. In the case of the overseas trips films had been made which had been shown locally in aid of the Institution.

The crew of the B.P. oil-drilling rig Sea Quest, which is stationed in the North Sea, have made a donation of ten guineas to the Institution. It followed assistance given to Raymond Baxter of the B.B.C., by the R.N.L.I. in connection with the programme 'An Oil Well'.

Life-boat Flag Day at Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, is always organized by the Stoke Boat Club. At last year's event members of the club came straight from work and some of them made a round of clubs and public houses during the evening with collecting boxes. The club has a silver beer mug which is presented to the champion collector.

Bordesley Green Junior School., Birmingham, after their harvest festival service last year, auctioned the harvest gifts and raised £28 for the Institution. Each form took part in the service by either acting, singing or reciting. Josephine Harvett, aged 9, of the senior form, had her poem, 'Autumn', acted and recited by her schoolmates, the latter two verses being of life-boat interest: When Thunder crashes overhead, When you and I are safe in bed, The Life-boat men, a gallant band, With steady eye and ready hand, Alerted by the rocket's flare, Set out to sea when we'd not dare.

Chorus: Oh from Stronsay to Galway Bay And down to Coverack, From Cullercoat's they sail their boats, But some will never come back.

Through swirling mist and rising wave They toil some drowning soul to save These fishermen, unsung, unpaid Unflinching bold and unafraid Daring knights of the open sea They risk their lives for such as we..