Long lost Barometer I have a small item in my possession which may be of interest to someone, somewhere.

Towards the end of the 1950s, I was on holiday in Folkestone, Kent and picked up, half buried in the shingle, what looked like a pocket watch. It turned out to be a barometer which looked, at first sight, as though it had served its useful life.

However, I hung it up on return and it is there to this day, faithfully recording the daily ups and downs of the local air pressure.

The legend on the face is:- Stuart and Mason London Made for A and NCS Ltd Westminster As I have said, somewhere there may be someone to whom this may awaken memories and be of interest.

K. H. Cudmore Suffolk Don't say 'cheese', say 'RNLI' If you want natural, happy-looking photographs of people, get them to say 'R-NL- I'. The photographer sets the frame on the 'R' and the moment they say T takes the picture.

'Cheese' gives a false, gritted-teethlook, whereas 'RNLI' gives a happy, relaxed look because the T sound relaxes the jaw. I've proved this to be true, try it! Mrs P.R. Duckworth Shiplake, Oxon.Overlapping Collections As secretary of the Biggleswade Branch, I recently received from the eastern regional office at Hadleigh, a copy letter from the Home Office Voluntary Services Unit*.

The issue of overlapping collections has been bothering myself and the Biggleswade Committee for some considerable time and I have been advised by our eastern regional organiser that this is a common complaint.

However, it appears even after a meeting with the area organiser of Christian Aid, we still do not seem able to rectify this situation, the result of which could be that the usually generous giving public stop being generous.

I have therefore written to both our local paper and Radio in an effort to avoid overlapping collections. I feel that before the 1996 round of flag days/ house-to-house collections begins again, something should be done by the various charities to avoid upsetting the public yet again this year.

Mrs M. A. Massingham Hon. Sec. Biggleswade Branch * Editor's Note: The letter points out the voluntary codes which are in place for the holders of exemption certificates, asking charities to liaise regarding collection dates Richard Mann, national fundraising manager for the RNLI, replies: Mrs Massingham raises a very good point.

There have been many examples of charity flag day and house-to-house collections overlapping.

The RNLI applies to the local authority - either from the regional office or direct from the branch - for a permit for a flag day suitable for the local branch. The RNLI has a house-to-house Home Office exemption order, which means that we do not need the local authority's permission to conduct house-to-house collections during the week up to the flag day and once a permit is granted we would expect the branch to advise their local authority and police of this.

If the local authority has allocated another house-to-house collection during that week to another charity which does not have a home office exemption then our branch should liaise with that charity to determine areas whichare to be collected in, and timings for the collection.

One positive suggestion I can offer is that branches should make a point of contacting the local authority beforehand to see whether any other charity will be collecting at the same time. If so, direct communication with that charity should help to alleviate what is becoming an increasingly overcrowded collecting calendar.

Some charities do now opt for a single week for all house-to-house collections throughout the country, and we try to keep our main branches advised of these as it makes sense to avoid the major charities who will probably field a substantial number of collectors.

The RNLI has considered one, single date for all collections but has decided against it for two main reasons:- 1. Branches in holiday areas, Cornwall for example, would always want to hold their flag week during August - when all the holiday makers are there. Cities such as Birmingham on the other hand would never want to hold their flag day in August as most of the population is on holiday! 2. If we were to have one date we would have to hold at least four times the number of collecting boxes and support material which would greatly increase costs, not only for the boxes and the materials but also for warehousing. At present we are able to use our boxes at least four times during the course of a season.Courtmacsherry memories I was pleased to see that delightful picture of Courtmacsherry Harbour in the Winter 1995/96 issue of THE LIFEBOAT. I have spent many happy hours sailing with my father, Canon L.R. Fleming of Timobagne and also swimming to the point or beyond.

My family had a reunion there last year and I remembered that my father had been largely responsible for efforts which resulted in a new lifeboat being launched some time during the 1920s. He knew every bit of the bay and surrounding coastline, where he sailed his small 18ft centreboarder, Lerne.

Jane Atkins (nee Emily Fleming) Woldingham, Surrey Help for a model citizen Could I make a plea for help to anyone having information on the lifeboat George Elmy, lost at Seaham in November 1962.

I am building a scale working model of her and a complete write up on her service between 1950 to 1972 (she went back into service after the disaster).

I would be pleased to hear from any fellow reader who may have such information.

Ron Marker 65 High Street West, Coatham, Redcar, Cleveland TS10 1SF Letters from readers are always welcome.

Address them to The Editor, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH151 HZ and mark clearly 'for publication'Thanks Fleetwood Thank you to the crew of the Fleetwood lifeboat, who kindly came out to our assistance on Saturday 18th November.

We set off on a calm, clear, frosty morning on the 30ft cruiser Liberty, from Roa Island off Barrow-in-Furness to Glasson Dock. About 3 miles out of Glasson Dock, we ran out of water and had to wait for the tide to float us at 1615.

We started the engine but it just kept cutting out, due to a diesel blockage. I radioed the Coastguard for advice, who came back saying that Fleetwood lifeboat would turn out to tow us in.

We were more than pleased to see the lifeboat as the weather had taken a change for the worse.

Once again, thanks to all concerned, it's good to know you're there.

Mr and Mrs Fielding Kendal, Cumbria (Editor's note: Mr and Mrs Fielding enclosed a generous donation with their letter, for which the RNLI is very grateful)Historic lifeboat collection at Chatham I was delighted to read that the Bristol collection will now be safely housed at Chatham under the RNLI.

I was a founder member of the illfated Bristol lifeboat museum and lost my money entirely. As I am a life governor, I expect I shall be able to visit the lifeboats when in Chatham, so that will compensate for my lost membership - the only one where a charity has closed.

As usual there is plenty of news in the magazine, with the usual crop of superb rescue efforts. Thank you for its continued high quality.

Iain Banks Sleaf ord, Lincolnshire Editor's note: As announced in the'News' section of this issue of the journal the lifeboat collection in the Historic Dockyard at Chatham opens officially on the late May Bank Holiday weekend • Saturday 25 May.

In conjunction with the Historic Dockyard (itself a registered charity) we are pleased to be able to offer a special twofor- the-price-of-one ticket offer for readers of THE LIFEBOAT. Just present the special voucher below at the Dockyard Visitor Centre.

A detailed report and photographs of the whole display is planned for our Summer issue.

THE LiFEBOAT/Historic Dockyard Enter the first section of your postcode below and then present this voucher at the Visitor Centre at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham to obtain your discount.

NB. This section of your postcode (for example BH15 or DT1} covers a large area and does not identify you or enable you to be placed on any mailing list. It does however allow the Historic Dockyard to analyse its catchment area..

Two-for-one offer applies to 2 adult or 2 child tickets only, if mixed group the most expensive category applies. This voucher may not be used in conjunction with any other offers. Not valid at special events Your Postcode Opens 25 May 1996 Valid until 31 October 1996 Two-for-the-price-of-one voucherAhoy shipmates! Through past issues of 'Lost Shipmates', the magazine of the system for looking for old Royal Navy shipmates, many old pals have been reunited. Recognised by the Federation of Naval Associations and the Royal Naval Associations, I have traced many back to the Second World War and even one back to 1937.

R.N. Shipmates operates for anyone seeking an old friend from a ship or shore establishment they served on. I would be delighted to help anyone in their task of looking for old friends. I have over the years accrued thousands of current addresses of ex-Royal Navy people.

Just drop me a line enclosing 2 second class stamps with your service history for my confidential and comprehensive, cross referenced, card index filing system, (someone may be looking for you!) and I will send details of this non-profit making organisation and a copy of the magazine, 'Lost shipmates'.

Mike Crowe R.N. Shipmates, 7 Heath Road, Lake, Sandown, Isle of Wight PO36 SPG.