Newspoint In Reserve The financial reserves held by charities came underthe media spotlight recently as a result of a television pro- gramme on Channel 4.

The programme asked whether it was wrong for charities with large reserves actively to continue campaigning for funds. While the RNLI cannot speak for other charities it is far from ashamed at holding some two years of operational expenditure in reserves, indeed it has publicly stated its aim of maintaining the Institution's reserves at some three years.

The RNLI believes that it would be irresponsible to attempt to operate Britain and Ireland's lifeboat service without knowing that it has the means to carry through its plans to maintain and further improve that service.

In the present financial climate it would be foolish in the extreme to operate on a hand-to-mouth basis, not knowing whether the Institution would be able to replace a lifeboat when planned, to rebuild aslipway when needed or to open an additional lifeboat station where one is required.

A new class of lifeboat can take three years to de- sign, build and evaluate, and such is the level of ability and safety demanded that the new lifeboat can cost well over £1 m when it reaches production.

Some viewers may have been led to believe we should not provide for that— the RNLI begs to differ.1993 AGM and Presentation of Awards Important changes Governors and others wishing to attend the RNLI's 1993 Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards should note some important changes to the arrangements, which now differ from previous years.This year's meetings will be held on Tuesday 4 May 1993, the day following the Spring Bank Holiday. However, due to circumstances beyond the Institution's control both the AGM and the APA will now be held in the main auditorium of the Royal Festival Hall. The times of the meetings are unchanged and the AGM will commence at 1130 and the Presentation of Awards at 1430.

Governors should find their application form for both meetings enclosed with this issue of THE LIFEBOAT, but any Governor who does not receive a form should contact the AGM office at the address below.

In the past tickets for the APA have carried seat numbers but a significant number of ticket holders have not turned up, resulting in large gaps in better parts of the auditorium.

As a result the main issue of tickets for the 1993 APA will not carry individual seat numbers. On arrival supporters and their guests will be able to select suitable seats, other than those reserved for recipients of medals, awards and official guests.

There will be stewards on hand to assist with the seating arrangements.

While the AGM is restricted to Governors of the Institution, the APA is open to all members, supporters and any other interested parties. Tickets are available on a first-come, firstserved basis from the AGM office.

All enquires regarding the AGM and the APA should be addressed to: The AGM Office, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. Telephone Poole (0202) 671133, extension 297.At its meeting on 25 November 1992 the RNLI's Executive Committee formally approved the placing of orders for production versions of the two new Fast Afloa t Boats - known until now as FAB 3 and FAB 4.

The 17m FAB 3 will be known as the Severn class, and orders have been placed for three hull, deck and superstructure assemblies. The smaller 14m FAB 4 will be known as the Trent class, and orders have been placed for four hull, deck and superstructure assemblies. Both of the new classes will have mi- Whisky Galore! Every year for the past few years American J. P. Young has made a donation to the RNLI for the specific purpose of making a gift of whisky to lifeboat crews.

Every lifeboat station has now been a beneficiary of Mr Young's donations and the 'second lap' is now well under way with six bottles of Famous Grouse shortly to be delivered to 22 stations in the north of Scotland.nor changes from the prototypes - the most obvious visual differences being a slightly smaller wheelhouse on the Severn and the position of the upper steering position on both the Severn and Trent. The prominent hydraulic crane on the Severn, used for launching the inflatable Y boat, is also to be replaced by a 'portable slipway' arrangement similar to that used on the Arun class.

A Press Day for both new classes was due to be held at Poole on 10 December 1992, after this issue had gone to press, and we hope to carry a report and photographs in the Spring issue.

Both Severn and Trent classes have reverted to the familiar orange superstructure, the experimental yellow having proved to have no significant advantage. They will, however, appear with the word 'Lifeboat' on the wheelhouse sides, in the same typeface as the Institution's logo and incorporating the RNLI flag. This should help to reinforce the RNLI's image and further to distinguish lifeboats from other boats in similar liveries.Boat Show 1993 Those who receive their copy of THE LIFEBOAT in time might care to visit the London International Boat Show at Earls Court (7 January to 17 January) where the RNLI will be exhibiting a Tyne class, slipway launched lifeboat for the first time. The stand will also incorporate a mock-up of a modern slipway boathouse.More interest on the RNLI'scash Ewan Davidson, the Institution's Head of Finance, estimates that £50,000 per annum more interest is being earned on the RNLI's cash balances as a result of the new monthly accounting system for lifeboat stations introduced last year.

This allows cash to be centralised earlier and invested in bulk deposits in the London money market. Financial branches and guilds are also being encouraged to centralise cash regularly, at least quarterly.

Another development on the financial side is that all RNLI branches will change their financial year-end in 1993 from 30 September to 31 March. Ewan Davidson comments 'From my discussions with many branches throughout the country, it is clear that for the large majority stocktaking will be less of a task in the early Spring than in the Autumn. Also we expect that the new year-end will save administration costs at HQ, by allowing a smoother workflow throughout the year'.The President of the RNLI, HRH The Duke of Kent, visited Orkney's three lifeboat stations in October during a visit to Scotland which also took in Aith, Wick and Thurso stations on the mainland.Arriving in the Orkneys on Monday 12 October, The Duke went first to Kirkwall where he met station and branch officials, the coxswain and crew members and their wives, and members of Orkney's 26 branches. The following day he took a short trip aboard the Longhope lifeboat and also visited Stromness, meeting station officials and crew members at both stations.Divisional changes From 1 November 1992 the two Scottish operational divisions have been combined. A single division known as Scotland Division replaces the separate Scotland South and Scotland North Divisions and includes all stations north of the border.

Les Vipond, formerly Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats for Scotland North now has responsibility for the combined divisions with the assistance of Kiran Nash who assumes responsibility as Deputy Divisional Inspector.

Further changes in divisional areas and names are planned in the light of continually changing lifeboat cover around the coasts.Top charity's figures The Charities Aid Foundation published its annual 'league table' of top charities in October, placing the RNLI third with £46.6m in 'raised voluntary income' by the CAF's method of calculation. In first place was the National Trust (£63m) with Oxfam second (£51.5m).

While it is pleasing to know that the RNLI is held in such high esteem and that its fundraisers have been so effective the actual position in the ranking is, as we have commented before, not the prime consideration. The Institution is committed to providing a first-rate lifeboat service, and the funds it raises are geared to that aim. If we can raise the funds needed to carry out our purpose - which we did - then our objectives are met in full regardless of how the total compares with other charities.New name, same aim for retired WatsonAlmost exactly two years after she was withdrawn from service the ex-St Davids, Pembrokeshire lifeboat Joseph Soar left Poole with a different name to start another career helping to save lives, still serving the RNLI but in a very different way.

Now owned by the Deputy Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, John Harland, Joseph Soar now known as City of Bristol left by low-loader for Bristol where Mr Harland recomissioned her to begin a twoyear programme visiting some 30 maritime events in the docks and along the Severn estuary where she will promote water safety and raise funds for the Institution.

Eventually John Harland will convert the Watson class lifeboat for pleasure use, but in themeantime City of Bristol will be crewed by volunteers from Avon and Somerset Constabulary in her original condition..