Earls Court, London, January 6 to 16 A SHOP WINDOW FOR THE WORK OF THE RNLIA YEAR OF NATIONAL CELEBRATION for the 25 years of Her Majesty The Queen's reign began for lifeboat supporters in January at the 1977 International Boat Show in London. The RNLI's principal exhibit was Margate's new 37' 6" Rother class lifeboat, RNLB Silver Jubilee (Civil Service No. 38) provided by the Civil Service and Post Office Lifeboat Fund.

The lifeboat filled most of the stand leaving two small corners for voluntary workers to sell souvenirs and enrol Shoreline members. Two Atlantic 21 inshore lifeboats, one on a ramp on the centre jetty and one in the pool, added a lifeboat flavour to the show's main feature: Brighton Marina.

The full programme of presentations and visits began on the opening day when Dick Hewitt, editor of Motor Boat and Yachting, presented a cheque for £50 to Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chairman of the Committee of Management, who in turn presented Ronny Hargreaves of the Department of Trade with a plaque to thank him for his cooperation with the RNLI over the years.

Clare Francis, the singlehanded transatlantic sailor and a very good friend of the lifeboat service, opened the show and met John Chapman, honorary secretary of the Civil Service and Post Office Lifeboat Fund, when she visited the RNLI stand.

The crowds and the money started pouring in and the flow became a torrent as branch workers donned lifeboat aprons and tee shirts and began selling in earnest. The Shoreline counter was busy, too, and enrolled 761 new members—more than ever before at a Boat Show.

Round Tablers arrived in force to present a giant lifeboat-shaped cheque for £110,000 to Major-General Farrant and Miss Great Britain, Dinah May, was there to add to the gaiety. Accepting the cheque General Farrant announced that the money would be used for Newhaven's new Waveney lifeboat which will bear the name Louis Marches! of Round Table. Len Patten, who will be coxswain of the new lifeboat, was working on the stand and joined the Round Tablers and Miss Great Britain to try and pay the cheque into the Midland Bank, which kindly entertained the RNLI's guests.

The Manchester Unity of Oddfellows were the next visitors and they bore a cheque for £25,000, collected towards a replacement lifeboat at Sheringham when one is needed. Commander Ralph Swann accepted thegiant dummy cheque from Susan George, the actress, and Sheringham Coxswain Henry 'Joyful' West and members of his crew were there to thank the Oddfellows.

Protection might be needed with all this money around, so members of 'Dad's Army' cast came along on the first Sunday of the show. Arthur Lowe, otherwise Captain Mainwaring, had brought his trusty sergeant (John Le Mesurier), Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn) and air raid warden Bill Pertwee to receive a corporate public relations award for the outstanding work they have performed for the Institution.

Lady Norton presented the Public Relations Awards and the other recipients were Mike McGiffen, news editor of the Northern Echo, and Wallace Lister Barber representing the Stockport crew of lifeboat auxiliaries. Clem Lewis, assistant editor of the Sir-mingham Evening Mail, received his award at a ceremony at the Birmingham Boat Show in February. Lucas Marine presented a beautifully polished searchlight to Clare Francis who accepted it on behalf of the RNLI and the final presentation was from Miss Francis herself—over £40 raised by selling postcards of her boat Robertson's Golly.

It was a hectic show for the branch workers and lifeboat men on duty and financially it was a record year. Over £8,000 was taken from souvenir and raffle sales helped by the loyal support of Chelsea Pensioners, Topper and Joe, who collected over £600.

Equally important, old friendships were renewed and new friends made.

The Boat Show provides a collection point to swell the funds of the RNLI and a shop window for its work. This year both objectives brought record returns—a cause for celebration indeed!.