Open Days The Open Days at the RNLI's Poole Headquarters and Depot, which were postponed from last year due to building work, have been scheduled for August.

Both sites, including the new building, will be open on Friday 2 August and Saturday 3 August from 1000 to 1800, and arrangements are in hand to make the event even more interesting than in the past.

As usual all aspects of the Open Days, including limited parking, will be free, providing all supporters and their families with the opportunity of an inexpensive day out.

Individuals and family groups will not need to make any previous arrangements, but larger organised parties may like to make contact in advance to ensure smooth running. Open Days provide an excellent opportunity for branches and guilds and lifeboat stations to organise a trip to Poole. Why not hire a coach and bring a large party of supporters, or come by train to Poole station, just three minutes walk from the RNLI buildings? STOP PRESS Subject to operational requirements it is. hoped to have a Mersey and at least one other All-weather lifeboat on show.

An Atlantic 21 capsize/righting display is planned and the training centre will be open for the first time. Newspoint Moving on Times change, and any organisation which offers an efficient service must move with them. In the latest two issues of the journal alone we have reported the opening of new lifeboat stations, the extension of the RNLI's coverage to 50 miles from the coast, the development of two new fast lifeboats and the introduction of Inshore lifeboats at additional stations. Now, as the last of the traditional lifeboats near the end of their service lives we are looking still further into the future.

There may be those who regret the pace of change and who regret the passing of so much history. But, while the Institution is very conscious of its traditions it must always be even more aware of its future, and be ready to offer the service required today and in the future. It is a sobering thought that even now our firm plans take us well into the next century - and our thoughts extend still further.

Society changes and technology marches on. But while some cherished aspects of the RNLI may disappear, its spirit and its effectiveness will always remain. New members of the Committee Three new members were co-opted on to the Institution's Committee of Management at its meeting on 22 November 1990, Ron Neil, Richard Burrows and Eric Freeman.

Ron Neil, the BBC's Managing Director of Regional Broadcasting has a long association with the RNLI, dating back to his time as a television reporter in Aberdeen, where he covered the Longhope disaster in 1969. Mr Neil joined the RNLI's Public Relations Committee in 1988.

Richard Burrows of Dublin combines his chief executive post at Irish Distillers with chairmanship of Edward Dillon and Co, wine of Management and spirit merchants and is a/so chairman of the National Development Corporation, Ireland's public venture capital companv. He became a member of the Institution's Establishment Committee in 1989.

Eric Freeman, who lives in Christchurch, Dorset, wax chairman of'Galbrailhs until retiring in 1987 and was a/so director of the Baltic Exchange from 1981 to 1986. He is a member of Llovds a Freeman of the Citv of London and a Livervman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights. He has been a member of the RNLI Search and Rescue Committee since 1987. Showtime success The RNLI's presence at the London International Boat Show in January proved to be very successful National Boat Shows donated the space and the Institution was able to present a stand which celebrated the 100th anniversary of street collections and looked forward to the boat house modernisation programme - with the dummy boathouse split into two to represent 1891 and 1991.

More than £57.000 was banked during the ten days, and although souvenirs .sales were slightly down on 1990 the collecting boxes brought in almost double the previous year's total - no less than £ 15,291.07. Of this a staggering £12,000 was collected by the five indefatigable Chelsea Pensioners.

In addition 903 new members and 110 Storm Force members were signed up, both figures a little down on 1990 but still impressive in an uncertain economic climate.

As usual there were several presentations to the Institution, on the pool and on the stand.

Among these were the Royal Bank of Scotland, which added £113.000 to the proceeds of its Access promotion (and there is an application form inserted in this journal for those who do not already have an 'affinity' Access card), Barclaycard with a further £50,000 from its Profiles scheme, and the Bingo Association with a splendid £237,541.

The RNLI also made use of the occasion to make its own presentations. A large crowd watched PR committee chairman and well-known broadcaster Raymond Baxter present the Institution's Public Relations Awards to four people or organisations which have helped the RNLI: Border TV for a half-hour documentary on the RNLI, Volvo for their sponsorship of the RNLI's latest film. Beckett Newspapers for their support of the Shoreham Lifeboat Apppeal and Ken Griffin who provided a fiveminute promotional video for the Institution at no cost.

Champagne de Courcy chipped-in with bottles of Mary Rose champagne to add to these awards and on other occasions. FAB progress The hull and deck assembly of the prototype 14m Fast Afloat Boat (FAB 4) was lifted into William Osborne's yard at Littlehampton, Sussex, on 1 February for Fitting out.

The prototype lifeboat should be launched in late 1991 and begin trials at the end of the year or early in 1992.

The 17m Fast Afloat Boat (FAB 3) protoype is now well advanced and was due to be launched as this issue went to press in early March. Trials should begin in April.

FAB 3 should be a striking and impressive lifeboat, for quite apart from her 17m length (over 55tt) her superstructure has been painted in highvisibility yellow. The Institution is using this colour as a trial, both tor its effectiveness at sea and also to distinguish lifeboats from a proliferation of bluehull, orange-upperwork work and safety boats.

As with all prototype lifeboats FAB 3 will have a grey hull initially, the tradi- tional blue not being applied to the hull until the class has been extensively mulled and accepted as a production lifeboat.

We hope to be able to publish a photo-feature on the FAB 3 prototype in the next issue of THE LIFEBOAT. Shoreworks campaign Volvo Concessionaires announced an ambitions fund raising scheme during the London Boat Show in January, aimed at providing £Im to help the Institution 's modernisation scheme for lifeboat houses.

The RNLI intends to have fast lifeboats, with a speed of at least 15 knots, at all stations by 1993 and this will mean the rebuilding or adaptation of a number of boat houses - mun built in the Victorian era - to accommodate the new lifeboats.

As well as more spacious accommodation and better protection against the elements the new structures will provide improved facilities for the crews, launchers and shorehelpers.

Among additional facilities to be provided I in some cases for the first time) will be changing and drving rooms, crew meeting rooms, mechanic's workshops, fuel stores, toilets, display areas and souvenir shops.

During the last few years of the extremely succesful partnership between the RNLI and Volvo some £1.25m has been raised, helping to fund two new All-weather lifeboats.

Ian Venlham, the RNLI's head offundraising and marketing, said at the launch: 'the Institution is delighted that Volvo has decided to continue their support activities, which have proved so successful in the past. If the lifeboat sen-ice is to continue to operate efficiently it will he essential for us to have this kind of support from industry.' AGM Guest of Honour announced The guest of honour at the Institution's 1991 annual presentation of awards will be His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI.

The ceremony takes place on Tuesday 14 May at the Festival Hall London, starting at 1430.

where The Duke of Kent will present bravery awards to lifeboatmen and other awards to long-serving voluntary workers.

The presentation is preceded by the Institution's Annual (ieneral Meeting for the (Governors, held in the nearby Queen Elizabeth Hall and starting at 1130..