Lifeboat revisited I read with interest the news article 'Reunited in New Zealand' featured in the Winter 1995/96 issue of THE LIFEBOAT.

The reference to Greymouth caught my eye. This was where my daughter Julie Cheetham, husband Peter and their sons Mark aged 8, Adam aged 5 and baby Philip were going to visit Peter's mother. The visit took place during February.

1 set the boys a task of finding the Ivan Talley and bringing back a photograph. Not only did they find the vessel and photograph it, but they managed to have two trips on it around the harbour. It turned out that the person looking after the vessel was a friend of Peter's mother - what a small world! If it had not been for the article in THE LIFEBOAT, this probably would not have happened. I enclose a photograph of Mark and Adam aboard the Ivan Talley in Greymouth harbour.

S. Johnson Newcastle ...and there's more Thank you very much for your kind review of 'Scapa Flow' in the autumn edition of THE LIFEBOAT. We have had an excellent response with 80 copies sold purely on the strength of your magazine.

One small criticism though - your review omitted to say that the author, W. S. Hewison, was donating all his royalties to the RNLI. To date this is over £900 and will certainly be in excess of £1,000 at the end of the year.

If you could find space to mention Mr Hewison's donation we would be most grateful. Perhaps a little more publicity could generate some more royalties for the Institution.

Leslie Davidson Bellavista Publications A steady barometer Readers may recall a letter in our Spring issueabouta pocket barometer found nearly 40 years ago on a beach at Folkestone.

THE LIFEBOAT was able to put two readers in touch with one another, with the result that the instrument has found another good home and will continue to be put to good use - as its new owner, although having no previous connection with the barometer, is a weather forecaster!What's in a name? About six months ago I became involved in some family research, and this has now led to a full study of all individuals who carried the Ston(e)ham name. With mixed feelings I discovered that Joseph Stonham was second coxswain on the Mary Stanford and was killed, with all crew, in the Rye disaster in 1928. I have a copy of Geoff Hutchinson's excellent book covering the events of 15 November 1928, and I am aware that several letters were published in THE LIFEBOAT in 1994 regarding this tragedy.

I have also discovered a character named Biddy who was a well known fisherman in Hastings. In the summer of 1904 he was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal for saving the life of Charles Gallup. I have a copy of Steve Peak's book 'Fishermen of Hastings' that gives a brief account of the events and a photograph of Biddy taken in 1925 with the rest of the Charles Arkholl 11 crew.

There maybe some members who have additional information regarding either of these gentlemen, or their families. I have a suspicion that they were closely related, maybe even brothers, but have no evidence to Donation in lieu of reward.

I would like to recount a true anecdote that might enable other individuals to encourage contributions to the RNLI.

Some years ago when my brother and I were certainly younger and more hirsute than we are today, we were walking near our parental home and came across two ladies who were starting to change the wheel of their car following a puncture. They were relieved, but possibly a little anxious, when we offered to help and took over the job.

When the spare wheel was fitted we were thanked and a genuine attempt was made to express their gratitude by asking us to accept some money 'for a drink'. This was a splendid gesture but, if I am totally honest, to round off the very positive image we were creating for the younger generation, we suggested that they might like to send the money to the RNLI at Poole -1 still wonder sometimes if they did! The point of relaying this tale is that the British are often ill at ease when situations arise which might call for either offering or receiving concrete evidence of thanks. I suspect that people might often be only too willing to see a charity benefit from such incidents but neither side is likely to think of it at the time.

Possibly this prompt might establish this as an option which could become accepted and widespread.

Shoreline member (Editor's note: A donation was enclosed with this letter, for which the RNLI is very grateful) support this theory at present! I would welcome any information, and if people could first contact me I can make arrangements for any documents etc. to be copied (at my expense!).

Roger D Stonham 'Doolish', 9 Bosville, Boyatt Wood, Eastleigh, Hants, SO50 4QA Letters from readers are always welcome.

Address them to The Editor, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH151 HZ and mark clearly 'for publication'.