WHEN PLANNING the Shoreline appeal to fund a 37'6" Rother Lifeboat to be named RNLB Shoreline, the first target set was £100,000 by the time the boat is ready to launch for her initial trials.

That target is now well in our sights, for we are passing the £90,000 mark. As you can see on the page opposite, building is progressing well at William Osborne's yard, Littlehampton.

The total amount needed to cover the cost of building this lifeboat is £135,000, and thanks to your continuing enthusiam and great generosity, we are well on the way. You will remember that the original appeal was for each member to enrol one new member. We have been greatly encouraged not only by the fact that more than 13,000 new members have been introduced in this way, but also because so many of you have sent in donations or arranged special events to raise additional funds for the appeal. However, the introduction of new members is the heart of the campaign and every time you 'sign on' a friend you are in effect adding a little more to the fabric of the boat.

Don't forget, when subscriptions are paid by covenant the Institution can claim back the income tax paid on the amount, so that a £3 subscription becomes £4.55 and a £10 subscription becomes £15.16. It is a point well worth bringing to the notice of new recruits and covenant forms are available from this office.

* * * Some gifts that are sent to us we accept with both deep appreciation and sorrow. Such a gift was received in October in memory of William George Curnock, who had died a few weeks before. He had asked that instead of flowers at his funeral any money that would have been spent in that way should go to the RNLI and his granddaughter's husband, Alan Wyatt, himself a Shoreline member, sent cheques totalling £82 with a letter asking particularly that they should be put towards the future RNLB Shoreline.

Another such gift of donations, in memory of Shoreline member John C.

Lawson, of Preston, was given to Cheltenham branch last November. A cheque for £44 was given to the branch by the late Mr Lawson's son, D. G.

Lawson, who is also a Shoreline member.

* * * Shoreline will, as usual, be represented at the London Boat Show in January.

This year, by courtesy of CMG, we shall have a visual display unit on the RNLI stand linking us directly with our membership computer. New members who enrol will see their names being added to the list or existing members can check on the recorded information.

See you at the Show? In the meantime, a happy new year to you all.—PETER HOLNESS, membership secretary, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 IHZ (Tel. Poole 71133).

To: SHORELINE, RNLI, WEST QUAY, POOLE, DORSET, BH1 I should like to be a part of such a worthwhile voluntary cause b) and joining the Institution as : A Life Member and Life Governor: minimum donation £60, including journal A Member and Governor: minimum annual subscription £10, including journal A Full Member: minimum annual subscription £3, including journal Family Membership: minimum annual subscription £5, including journal SHORELINE LIFEBOAT Total subscription NAME ADDRESS 5 IHZ.

' becoming a Sho I en Dot Sigt reline close e tature SHORELINE member of the lif Below are the various items you are entitled to wear or fly as a member of SHORELINE Member's tie (Terylene) £2.00 Lady's brooch £0.50 Metal car badge £2.50 Tie tack £1.00 8" hoist flag £1.50 12" hoist flag £2.25 Dinghy burgee £1.50 Insignia payment Giro number is 294 7056 P. Oj cheque [cash for £ eboat service.