Keeping it in the family! Stephen Simmons, new recruit of Sheringham lifeboat crew, not only has all the skills required to be a lifeboatman but also has lifesaving in his blood - he joins his father, the helmsman of the lifeboat, and elder brother Scott who is also a crew member! Stephen and Scott grew up learning the ways of the sea through yacht racing, which their father, Terry became involved with when he moved to Norfolk from north London in 1967.

Around the country there is a long history of families within lifeboats crews, especially brothers, but it is very unusual to have three members in the same crew.

Speaking to local newspaper, the Eastern Daily Press, David Mann, deputy launching authority of Sheringham lifeboat said, 'I've been here over 20 years and never known a father and two son in one crew.' As with other lifeboat crews with more than one family member, the Sheringham crew does not allow all three men to be out on the lifeboat at the same time. This precautionary practice started in the last century when the death of a father in a drowning accident meant the oldest son would have to be the breadwinner. If no male descendants were left, the family would be consigned to the workhouse.

Other than this, the Simmons family do not enjoy any special treatment.

Terry tells the Eastern Daily Press, 'We all work together like the other crew members.'Coxswain Walter McPhee and crew members of Wick lifeboat picked the winning tickets in the 76th RNLI lifeboat lottery - the first time the draw has featured a top prize of £10,000. The crew who had been at RNLI headquarters for training on their new Trent class lifeboat, Roy Barker II, picked the winners on 31 January 1997.

The draw raised over £130,000 and the cash prize winners were:- £10,000 Mr NFCalver, Ipswich Station invitation While on a visit to the Republic of Ireland, RNLI supporter Bill Rogerson and his daughter Alison, who is crew member of Trearddur Bay lifeboat, met the honorary secretary of Skerries lifeboat station, Sam Shiels. During conversation, Bill and Alison learned that Skerries were soon to have a new boathouse built and have their D class lifeboat replaced with an Atlantic 75 - identical improvements to those recently carried out at Trearddur Bay.

Following the visit, Trearddur Bay officials, invited the Skerries crew and committee to visit their station. On 7 December 1996, 22 members of Skerries lifeboat arrived at Trearddur Bay on the midday ferry. The visitors eagerly inspected the new station and were taken out in the £2,000 Mrs J E Wooldridge, Surbiton £1,000 Mr and Mrs Tatton, Staffs £500 Mr A Dowsett, Winchester £250 Mr J Seyfried, Essex £100 Mrs M Simons, London; Mrs H Lewis, Durham; Mrs Westlake, E.

Yorks; Mr A F Symms, Birmingham; Mr K dagger, Cheshire £50 Mr M Paidley, Cleveland; Mr J Sutton, Swansea; Lady Galsworthy, Somerset; Mr A E Mcllwain, Uddington; Mr J Cox, Stenning.

' new Atlantic 75 lifeboat, Dorothy Selina.

The lifeboat was returned to the boathouse later that afternoon and both crews made their way to a nearby hotel. Sam Shiels made a speech expressing thanks for the warm welcome extended to his party and then presented Jack Abbott, Trearddur Bay station honorary secretary, with Skerries tee-shirts and a Christmas drink for the crew.

The day ended at 6pm with the Skerries VIP's returning to the awaiting ferry, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new boat and station.

On Station The following lifeboats have taken up duty: ALL-WEATHER Valentia - Severn class 17-07 (ON 1218) John and Margaret Doig on 29 November 1996 INSHORE Trearddur Bay-B731 Dorothy Se/inaon 5 December 1996 Tramore - D511 on 12 December 1996 Flint - D510 Marjorie Helen on 16 October 1996 Sheerness - Seahorse I on 31 October 1996 Walmer - D514 Lord Kitchener on 22 January 1997..