Lifeboatmen brought to book.

I am currently researching a book on men whose lives have been closely connected with the coasts of the British Isles. This work will be in a similar vein to my recently published Tales of the Old Countrymen' and Tales of the Old Gamekeepers' and trace the stories of about a dozen characters who have been in occupations as diverse as lighthouse keeper, fisherman, coastguard, reserve warden, shell fisherman, wildfowling guide and, of course, lifeboatman. In connection with this I would welcome readers' suggestions for suitable subjects.

Ideally, I am looking for men whose living has depended on the coast for all or most of their lives, which would be documented in detail in the book, at the same time giving plenty of anecdotes. I would be very pleased to hear from suitable lifeboatmen as well as those whose main occupation has been concerned with the coast, including fishing. Candidates may be working or retired, but have had long experience, and the older the better because the book is chiefly concerned with times past.

If you feel that you have a yarn or two to tell or would like to nominate someone else, please write to me at the address below as soon as possible. I hope to include one or two recipients of RNLI medals and to discover the oldest surviving lifeboatman.

I am also looking for interesting old photographs to illustrate the book. All assistance will be duly acknowledged.

Brian P. Martin, 4 Upper Birtley, Brook, Goldalming, Surrey GU8 5LB (Tel. 0428 682567)Memories of the Eastbourne Museum I wonder if any reader can help me? I am seeking more information on the building which houses the RNLI Lifeboat Museum situated on the seafront at Eastbourne, near the Wish Tower.

The building's official title is The William Terriss Memorial Life-boat House' and I am currently researching the life and work of William Terriss, the popular Victorian actor to whom the building is a memorial.

I would love to hear from anyone who may have come across anything relatingto this building, now nearly 100 years old, among their family possessions.

The foundation stone was laid on Saturday 16 July 1898 by the Duchess of Devonshire at a huge ceremony. Those present included the 13-man crew of the Eastbourne lifeboat William and Mary, 13 members of the Eastbourne Fire Brigade, 100 Eastbourne College cadets, a choir of 60 children from local schools, the band of the Sussex Royal Artillery Militia and many local dignitaries.

Perhaps your great (great) grandfather was one of those present. Photographs were taken both for press publication and for sale to the public - even 'animated photographs' of the event were shown a week later at the Town Hall.

In 1937 (March 22) the building was officially opened as a lifeboat museum - the first of its kind. Does anyone have any memories of this event? A. Hill, 24 Firle Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN22 8DUPrizewinner I was most interested in the article in the Winter issue of THE LIFEBOAT under the heading The Duke of Northumberland's Prize Essay Competititon'.

In 1923 I was one of the lucky winners in the East Midlands and I was presented with a National Savings Certificate together with a book by Sir John Cameron Lamb entitled The Lifeboat and its Work' - a fascinating and detailed story of the lifeboats of the day with numerous illustrations.

My interest in the Institution was further heightened by the fact that my wife and I spent many happy holidays (including our honeymoon) at Cromer in the days when the coxswain there was the legendary Henry Blogg, who was one of the attractions for visitors as his exploits were nationally publicised at that time.

Although it is only of latter years that I have become a Shoreline member, I have always had a life-long admiration for the RNLI and the bravery displayed by its gallant crews.

Ernest J. Cox, Nottingham.A drier future...

I wish to thank the many readers who reponded to my 'Any old Oilies' appeal in the Winter issue of THE LIFEBOAT.

Many people posted or delivered by hand (some of them who did not give their names and addresses) oilies for use by schoolchildren doing educational projects on the Cutty Sark at Greenwich.

This has meant considerable savings on our limited resources.

M.W. Joy, Bromley, Kent.

Marching on May I please take a little space in your pages to thank all who responded to my appeal for information about the Padstow Lifeboat March (Your Letters THE LIFEBOAT Winter 1992/3). I have had well over 50 replies, including several tapes, and think I must now have the most comprehensive list of all recordings of this tune ever made! I also have from one person a mention of a Scottish pipes recording of a tune called The Two Maroons'. The title itself sounds intriguing and as I am myself a great lover of the pipes, more information would be welcome. But my postman says..! Seriously, may I thank all who have written, or in several cases sent tapes. I have tried to respond to all but if there are any I have missed may I please beg their forgiveness. Over a month after the Winter journal appeared I am still getting replies. I may well be able to give our Records Club an entire evening of different recordings of one rune! My sincere thanks to all who have written to me.

Philip Trelf all, 10 Clifford Terrace, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8PQ Your letters on subjects connected with any aspect of the lifeboat service are welcomed.

Write to: The Editor, THE LIFEBOAT, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH151 HZ.