Silence is golden. Rabbi Jonathan Romain (r), minister of Maidenhead Synagogue, took part in a sponsored non-sermon in August. He toured shops and offices in Maidenhead and told people he would give them a 30 minute sermon on the merits of the RNLI unless they donated a pound or more to the Maidenhead Advertiser's fund raising efforts on behalf of the local newspaper week lifeboat appeal. For many it was likely to be the only opportunity they would ever have of stopping a minister's sermon. Only once or twice did he have even to start to preach. He is pictured receiving a donation from local shopkeeper Keith Petty and his total collection came to a remarkable £250.

photograph by courtesy of Maidenhead Advertiser.