A bear thank you Sir -1 should like to thank everyone who has written requesting a personalized teddy bear, (Bear necessities, Summer 1989 issue).

The teddy bears are still available and the letters RNLI can be worked on the front of the jumper for non-boat owners if required.

Mrs M. Woods 14 Broad Way, Hamble Southampton SOS 5HT Explosive stuff Sir - Following your article in the Summer issue of the journal, 'Explosive Stuff, I raised the same question with Devon County Council concerning the licence fee for storing explosive flares at RNLI boathouses in Devon.

Unlike Cornwall, who were able to waive their fee, it seems that Devon's accounting is a little more costly - it will in future cost 5 pence per annum! lam also advised that this new rate will apply to all lifeboat stations in Devon.

D. Garrett Honorary Secretary Appledore Radio controlled kits Sir - I was interested in the letter from T.

Pearce of Cambridge 'On Cameras - and kits'. I have often wondered why there are no kits in any scale of any lifeboat. The only ones that are available are the white metal models featured in your catalogue.

A while ago I read in a copy of THE LIFEBOAT of someone who had built a radio-controlled model of a lifeboat. I would like to make contact with anybody who can give me information in obtaining a kit or plans of any lifeboat, from an inflatable to an Arun, that could be radiocontrolled.

The reason for this request is that I fly radio-controlled model aircraft and the club I belong to, Croydon Airport Model Flying Club, puts on flying displays for various fund raising events and one of our members has a radio-controlled RAF Air/ Sea Rescue helicopter.

To have a radio-controlled lifeboat working in conjunction with the helicopter would make an exciting item in our displays.

C. J. Richardson 75 Park Lane, Carshalton Surrey SMS 3EE Matchbox series Sir - A supporter of our branch has recently completed a mounted set of the RNLI matchbox series 'History of the Lifeboats', which is much admired.

He is missing certain of the series to complete a number of others which will be sold or raffled to raise funds for the Institution.

The missing numbers are as follows. He requires three of numbers 37 and 38, two of number 10 and one each of numbers 1, 2, 13, 26, 43, 47 and 48.

For any readers who are interested in the series, he has over 240 other matchboxes which are available for other collectors to complete incomplete sets.

D. Spencer Chairman, Teignmouth & Bishopsteignton Branch Laurel Cottage, Ideford Nr Newton Abbot TQ13 OAZ John & Naomi Beattie Sir - In the Autumn 1989 issue of the journal there was an article on the John & Naomi Beattie .

My great grandfather, my grandfather, my father and two uncles were all members of her crew at one time or another. I am proud to be the daughter of a lifeboatman and to be part of a family, the Daniel family of Aberystwyth, who have been associated with lifeboats for many years.

It is with much regret I inform you that my uncle, Lewis Daniel, who was a member of the John & Naomi Beattie crew, when he was 16 years old, died on 22 January 1990, aged 80 years. The service took place in Aberystwyth with cremation at Shrewsbury.

My Uncle Lewis was also a member of the Aauilla Wren and Frederick Angus crews. Mrs E. J. Beament Poole, Dorset Letters on all aspects of lifeboats and the RNLI are welcomed by the editor, who reserves the right to shorten or alter them as required.

Letters intended for publication should be marked clearly as such and addressed to: The Editor THE LIFEBOAT Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road Poole Dorset BH151HZ.