Although visitors are always welcome at its Poole headquarters and depot, the RNLI makes a special effort every two years, throwing the whole site open to visitors for two days and putting on displays and demonstrations to illustrate its work. This year's event was held on July 28 and 29, and attracted an estimated 6,000 visitors.Although visitors are always welcome at its Poole headquarters and depot, the RNLI makes a special effort every two years, throwing the whole site open to visitors for two days and putting on displays and demonstrations to illustrate its work. This year's event was held on July 28 and 29, and attracted an estimated 6,000 visitors.The Open Days provided a wonderful backdrop for the draw for the RNLI's 70th lottery. Max Bygraves made a special return visit to Poole on Saturday 29 July to draw the winning tickets from the drum, which had been set up on the quayside. In front of a large crowd of visitors and staff he drew the winning tickets, cracking jokes along the line, much to the amusement of all present.

The draw, which raised £112,181, was supervised by the director, Lt Cdr Brian Miles, and the draw promoter Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fundraising and marketing.

The prize winners were: £2,000 R.F. Lambarth, Lowestoft, Suffolk. £1,000 Mrs J. Fry, South Ruislip, Middx. £750 W.G. Holliday, Lincoln; D.C. Green, New Southgate, London. £500 R. Sanders, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. £250 L.E. Alp, York. North Yorkshire. £100 E.H.

Allum, Woodford Green, Essex; Miss T. Mitchard, Netherfield, Notts; Mrs B. Godwin, Bristol; W.J. Evans, Gloucester; Miss P.

Saunders, Southsea, Hants. £50 Mrs C.A. Bowles, Romford,Essex; Mrs A.S. Roberts, Felpham, West Sussex; Mrs E.G.

Newbound, Buntingford, Herts; Mrs S. Winstanley, Sale, Cheshire; Mr and Mrs Murray-Usher, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire..