some recent publications reviewed EDWARDIAN WORTHING Eventful Era in a Lifeboat Town written and published by Rob Blann at £12.95 ISBN 09516277 1 6 Foreword by RaymondBaxter, RNLl vice president and member of the committee of management Edwardian Worthing presents a history of the town between 1901 and 1914, focusing on civic events, town parades and daring lifeboat rescues.

Among other events, author Rob Blann chronicles regattas, the christening of the lifeboat Richard Coleman, coronation parades, King Edward VH's visit and the pier's destruction by a storm on Easter Saturday 1913.

Packed with over 200 photographs, plates and postcards of local characters and lifeboats, this book is interesting for its insight into the role of a lifeboat within a community.

Available from the author at 349 Tarring Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 5JL (add £ 1 for P&P). Part of sales proceeds to be donated to the RNLI.

PENLEE - THE LOSS OF A LIFEBOAT by Michael Sagar-Fenton Published by Bossiney Books at £4.95 ISBN 0948158 72 7 It is now ten years since the tragic loss of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne with her eightman crew and eight people from the coaster Union Star.

The memories of that wild December night in 1981 have scarcely dimmed and some may prefer old wounds to remain unopened. But Michael Sagar- Fenton's account is as sympathetic a re-telling, with due tribute to the bravery shown that night, as could be found.

The author traces the whole incident in chronological order, making use of the radio log as a skeleton and fleshing it out with additional information. Charts and photographs bring home the horror of conditions which battered the Cornish coast. The result is a vivid, sobering account.

The events of 19 December 1981 are well known, but the words of Russell Smith, pilot of the Sea King helicopter at the scene, cannot be repeated too often. A brave, dedicated man himself, he said of the lifeboat crew: 'they were truly the bravest eight men I have ever seen...' GRACE - A NOVEL by Jill Paton Walsh Published by the Penguin Group at £8.99 ISBN 0 670 83820 9 This 'factional' book about Grace Darling documents Grace's most famous exploit, supplemented by imagined conversations and events.

Written as though related by Grace herself, the story vividly and perhaps controversially recounts the effect of the rescue on local people. It also illustrates the intense interest that the rescue aroused throughout the country and people's desire to visit the scene.

THE STORY OF THE FILEY LIFEBOATS Complete with glossy, full colour cover, this latest book from Jeff Morris, honorary archivist of the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society, is available from Mr Ian Ross, 27 Grovehill Road, Filey, N. Yorkshire YO14 9NL priced £2.35 (including P&P).

More book reviews on page 178….