Long service Early last year members of Bognor Rotary Club presented an inscribed chair for Selsey lifeboat station's crew room. It was in memory of the late Mr R. D. Bray, a Rotarian who had been associated with Bognor Regis RNLI branch for over 50 years. Mr Bray was president of the branch from 1968 until his death, at the age of 92, and had served as honorary secretary before that. Bognor Regis branch officers have a fine tradition of long service. The present honorary secretary, Mrs Vera Johnson, has been connected with the branch for over 40 years; she was appointed honorary assistant secretary in 1957 and honorary secretary in 1968.

Mr K. Johnson, the honorary treasurer, has also been associated with the branch for more than 50 years.

MBE Ringwood branch honorary secretary, Dennis Carr, has been awarded the MBE. In his capacity of South West Regional Manager of the General Council of British Shipping he organised crews for merchant ships involved in the Falklands campaign.

A helping hand The comedian Russ Abbot is a good friend to the lifeboats. During summer seasons in both 1980 and 1982 he gave his support to Great Yarmouth and Gorleston's lifeboat day. In 1982 Russ helped man the Market Place stall at lunchtime, selling RNLI souvenirs and signing autographs. In all the day raised a magnificent £4,000.

Thank you . . .

Miss Edith Scarlett of Chelmsford is one of the most loyal supporters of Witham and District branch. She is a pensioner, living alone and suffering severe illness. Nevertheless, each year for the past eight years Miss Scarlett has sent £5 for the Christmas bazaar and £5 for the annual flag week. Last November she doubled her gift, sending £10 for the Christmas bazaar.

Obituary It is with deep regret that we record the following deaths: March Mrs C. M. Kennedy, a member of Kirkintilloch, Lenzie and District ladies' guild committee for many years.

Mrs Kennedy served as honorary secretary from 1965 to 1972 and as president from 1972 to 1974.

August George Stonall, coxswain of New Brighton lifeboat from 1955 to 1962, after serving as second coxswain of the No. 2 boat from 1928 to 1932 and of the No. 1 boat from 1939 to 1941; he was awarded the bronze medal in 1957.

September Alderman Cecil Baker, MBE JP FRICS, Eastbourne station honorary secretary from 1953 to 1982 after serving as joint honorary secretary from 1949 to 1953.

Mr Baker was awarded binoculars in 1960, the gold badge in 1975, honorary life governorship in 1979 and the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum in 1982.

James Hinton, a founder honorary treasurer of Queensferry station branch in 1967, serving until 1977. Mr Hinton was of great assistance at the formation of the station and was always a tower of strength.

October Sydney Strowger, second coxswain of Aldeburgh lifeboat since 1978 after serving in the crew since 1950; he was awarded the long service badge in 1982.

November Norman Mabe, Fishguard station honorary secretary from 1953 to 1979.

Mr Mabe was awarded binoculars in 1964, the gold badge in 1978, the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum in 1980 and also honorary life governorship in 1980.

* * * In memory of Christina Margaret Barnard, a member of Barnoldswick ladies' guild for many years and honorary treasurer for three, £107 was donated by guild members in lieu of flowers. FOR WESTON-SUPER-MARE station branch last August 21 was a day of double celebration because 1982 was its centenary year and also a new D class inflatable lifeboat, donated by Farnham branch, had come on station. So, at 7.30 that Saturday evening, officers, crew and other members of the branch together with their families and friends met outside Weston Bay Yacht Club for an act of dedication and re-dedication.

First, Raymond Cory, a member of the Committee of Management, presented the centenary vellum to the branch.

It was accepted by the branch president, Mrs E. M. Miller Barstow, who in turn handed it to the Mayor of Westonsuper- Mare for safekeeping. Then, Mrs H. Elphick, chairman of Farnham branch, presented to the RNLI the new D class lifeboat; the lifeboat was received on behalf of the Institution by Mr Cory and into the care of the station branch by the honorary secretary, John Williams. The service which followed was conducted by the Prebendary J. T. Hayward with an address by the Rt Reverend A. K. Hamilton.

To mark its centenary year Weston-super-Mare launched an appeal to raise the money to fund a new Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat which, in 1983, will replace its present 18ft 6in McLachlan lifeboat.

photograph by courtesy of West Air Photography Promotion in Scotland THE CO-OP and Ind Coope Alloa Brewery ran a joint promotion in Scotland last autumn to raise money to purchase at least one lifeboat under 10 metres.

Marked ring pulls from ICAB cans of Diamond Export, Diamond Heavy, Alloa Pale, Skol, Jaguar or Lowenbrau Pils were collected in special bins in most Co-op stores in Scotland; for each ring pull the Co-op contributed 2p. The project was launched in Clydebank by Chief Superintendent Archie MacKenzie and in Dundee by Captain T. A. C.

Keay, both members of the Scottish Lifeboat Council. By the end of November the fund was well on its way • to its target of £12,000..