EARL'S COURT LONDON, MARCH 6-31 FOR THE FIRST TIME, the RNL1 had a stand at the Ideal Home Exhibition this year. Modest in size, and situated on the balcony floor, it was a market stall, colourful with souvenirs and Shoreline display. The extensive range of attractive gifts represented high quality and real value for money, attracting good business from all age groups.

With the exhibition lasting almost the whole month of March, the RNL1 depended for the manning of the stand on hard working teams of branch and guild members from the Southern, Eastern, South Eastern, Midland Shires and North, South and Central London districts, as well as the Shoreline volunteer enrolment team.

RNLI staff, working in pairs, provided backing on a two day shift programme.

Not only was the continuity maintained, but the happy and friendly atmosphere which has become the hallmark of such occasions, was evident throughout the period.

Ten well-known personalities added to the gaiety when they spent time at the stand on various days during the show, autographing cook books and note books: Arthur Lowe, Rodney Bewes, June Whitfield, Paul Heiney, Clive Dunn, Wendy Craig, Ernie Wise, Angela Rippon, Nerys Hughes, David Vine. Another popular visitor was ex-coxswain Dick Evans who spent two and a half days at the exhibition signing copies of his biography 'Lifeboat VC'.

Many other exhibitors had collecting boxes on their stands, and on London Lifeboat Day, March 20, the exhibition organisers allowed our flag sellers to stand in the entrance hall. The Royal Navy collected the staggering amount of £1,000 for the RNLI by 'giving away' freshly baked ship's biscuits and bread rolls for a contribution in a lifeboat collecting box. At a pleasant informal ceremony on the last Friday Mrs Linda Hunter of Kensington and Chelsea branch, presented a plaque to the Catering Division of the Royal Navy for a truly splendid effort.

And that perhaps sums up this new venture. Due to the efforts of everyone concerned, especially the voluntary workers, the venture can be counted a success, with its aims realised. Funds were raised, more than 300 new Shoreline members were enrolled and an almost entirely new 'clientele' had been introduced to the work of the lifeboat service.

The RNLI may well become an established feature of the Ideal Home Exhibition, as it is at the International Boat Show.—H.D..