ERNIE WISE, one of the RNLI's most loyal friends, visited Poole on Friday April 27 to draw the fifth RNLI national lottery in the presence of Mrs Georgina Keen, a member of the Fund Raising Committee and Cdr Ted Pritchard, appeals secretary. The draw was also witnessed by members of the staff and their families and by about 60 ex-Round Tablers who were attending a 41 Club international conference at Bournemouth and who also happened to be visiting the RNLI on that day.

It proved a merry gathering. As Ernie walked into the crowded committee room, there, facing him among the guests, was Eric Morecambe's double.

Hardly had he had time to shake hands before another 41 Club delegate (in the front row) was proving himself a master of quick repartee. ' I t ' s like working with Eric!' Ernie declared as the room rocked with happy laughter.

Then down to the business of the day. The drum was spun and Ernie plunged in his arm for the first of the 13 winning tickets. These were the prize-winnerc- £1,000: A. Taylor, Heckmondwike.

£500: Mrs Helen MacAlister, Blackwaterfoot, Isle of Arran.

£250: Joyce Ireson, Southall, Middlesex.

£25: J. A. F. Vaudin, Southampton; Mrs S. Fletcher, Droitwich; Miss P. J. Grant, Bexhill-on-Sea; L. J. Gilhooly, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian; Mr Leach, Thame: R. C. J.

Duncalf, Heswall; N. Hinman, Knowle, Solihull; B. J. Young, Hythe, Hampshire; A. R.

Murray, Hednesford; Margaret Beard, London SW19.

After the draw, Ernie autographed lifeboat postcards for the visitors, who were asked to put a contribution in a collecting box. The admonishment, 'The amount you put in is according to how much you like me!' put everyone on their mettle..