Kiver Thames Branch • The River Thames branch was formed just over four years ago as pan of the Yachtsmen's Lifeboat Supporters Association. The branch is unique because all members are either Offshore members or Governors of the Institution.

To qualify for membership a boat must be owned which is either kept or used on the River Thames.

Since its formation, membership has increased from five to over 120 and the branch has become absorbed into Shoreline. Membership needs no additional subscription and entitles the member to a regular newsletter and attendance at social functions and visits.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to keep the membership list completely up to date. Therefore any Offshore member who qualifies for membership is asked to write to me, the honorary secretary.—J. R. NEEDHAM, A Goodwood Avenue, Watford, Hertfordshire.

Full circle • After reading the letter of gratitude in the Shoreline section of the winter issue of THE LIFEBOAT, concerning the rescue of the writer's son and her reason for joining Shoreline, 1 feel 1 must write and put on record my reason for supporting the RNLI.

Some eight years ago we were on holiday when my son, then aged 15, was blown out to sea in our dinghy, having lost an oar and the wind suddenly having changed direction. His plight was spotted by the Coastguard, who called out the local ILB. My son was over a mile out when they reached him.

Since that day we have been supporters of the RNLI, but will never be able to contribute enough to compensate for the rescue of our only son.

Some years later, while at college, my son wrote a thesis on the history and construction of lifeboats and was given all possible help by Headquarters, including the opportunity of a visit to the Depot at Boreham Wood and two days at Cowes. My son always said if he ever had the opportunity he would volunteer for the ILB service. Last year, after leaving college, he obtained a teaching post quite near the sea, is actually living on the coast and is now a member of the same ILB crew which rescued him eight years ago.

One evening last August my sontelephoned to tell me that he had been out that day and assisted in rescuing a young boy who had been blown out in a rubber dinghy; when he carried him ashore and handed him back to his father he realised just how I felt when he was rescued.—name and address supplied.

Generosity of the young • I have saved up some money by being silent for two hours. I would like to give it to the Lifeboat Association.— KATE BARNARD, 12 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Kale, by her silence, raised £1.10 for the RNLI.—THE EDITOR • I was delighted to find that I had won first prize in the RNLI poster competition.

It was very kind of you to send me a cheque for £5, but I feel that the RNLI needs it more than I do. Therefore I have returned your cheque, which I know is going to a good cause. Thank you very much.—RICKY ROBERTS, Fair acre. Bonfire Hill, South water, Sussex.

This letter from Ricky Roberts, aged 15, was received by Mrs Hobbs, chairman of Horsham Branch, which organised a school poster competition.—THE EDITOR.

Welcome thanks • Thank you for your kind letter of December 14 and for taking the trouble to write. The donation passed to you by Norman Wilkinson was given to thelifeboat crew to buy some drinks for them in appreciation of the way in which they helped me. However, they asked me instead to pass this sum to the Institution.

I had, in any event, intended making a donation direct to the Institution and I now have pleasure in enclosing my cheque.

In closing, I would like to express my appreciation, obviously, for the service rendered, but more important for the spirit in which it was rendered. At no time was any attitude apparent other than that of a desire to help, and an incident which might have been treated by your personnel as a foolish escapade was instead treated as a justification for a launch; an attitude which, of course, is reflected in your kind letter.

With my very best wishes to your Institution for a continuation of your excellent work.—w. K. FOX-MILLS, Ayrville, Nashville Road, Howth, County Dublin.

This letter, very much appreciated by Howth station, was received by T. P.

Nolan, honorary treasurer, following the rescue by Howth lifeboat on December 7, 1974, of Mr Fox-Mills; he had been sailing a single-handed dinghy in the vicinity of Howth Harbour when he capsized in freshening winds (force 6 with a choppy sea) and became exhausted.— THE EDITOR.

On retirement...

• On my retirement from the lifeboat service after 13 years, I would like to express the deep sense of gratitude of my wife and myself to all those who so willingly and courteously helped us in our endeavours to raise funds to 'give the tools' to our lifeboat men.

In the years to come we shall sorely miss the wonderful fraternity, hospitality and generosity we experienced in our contacts with so many wonderful people in all walks of life all with the common aim of the lifeboat service.

The beautiful gifts we have received will always remind us of you all.— LUCY and JACK FLOATER, 68 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CFl 9LL..