Face in the cliffs Reading the Spring 1998 issue of The Lifeboat. I noticed the photograph of Valentia's Severn class lifeboat. Yet I wonder if any other readers noticed that just above the bow of the lifeboat, in the edge of the rugged coastline, there seemed to be a face looking out to sea. You can clearly make out the hair, eyebrows, nose, moustache, chin and stomach.

I would say this person must be the guardian of the sea looking after the safety of the boats. I found this photo very interesting as with all I read in the magazine.

Gourdon Emslie HMP Invernettie, Peterhead Arklowered I am writing with reference to page 16 of the services in the Spring issue of The Lifeboat That must have been quite a storm - it not only did it wreck the MFV Graceful but also apparently shifted Arklow down (on the chart) to somewhere in the neighborhood of Ballycotton! Congratulations on a magazine that gets better all the time.

E. Michael Booth Shankill, Co. Dublin Oops! Well spotted. Yes, we did show the position incorrectly on the service chart - sorry to all in Arklow...

Good spirits Call me a spotter but I have been studying the list of lifeboats in the Winter 1997/98 issue and noticed something that may interest readers.

There are five lifeboats obviously named after Army Corps: • Spirit of the PCS RE (Postal and Courier Service Royal Engineers) • Spirit of the RTC (Royal Corps of Transport) • Spirit of ROAC (Royal Army Ordnance Corps) • Spirit of the RPC (Royal Pioneer Corps) • Spirit of the ACC (Army Catering Corps) They are the five forming Corps of The Royal Logistic Corps! I will write to the Commodore of our yacht club and suggest we now make a full complement by finding the money for a lifeboat named after our new Corps.

RNLI supporter Photo request Having been a regular visitor to Newport in Pembrokeshire, Wales over the years, I am interested in any photographs or history of the lifeboat stationed on the Parrog at Cwm where the shed and ramp still remain.

Michael Heath Bridge House Kentisbeare, Cullompton Devon EX152AD Supporter thanks Readers of The Lifeboat will recall that there was an insert in the Winter issue asking for sponsorship for the Welsh wheelchair athlete, Tanni Grey's entry in the London Marathon.

The response was overwhelming and may I say a huge thanks to all who donated - over £44,000 was raised. I am conscious that readers already support the RNLI and am extremely grateful to all those who generously supported our appeal for a new Atlantic 75 lifeboat for Wafes. I can now divulge that the station concerned is Cardigan.

There was a lot of money riding on Tanni's head but she came up trumps and crossed the finishing line in first position. Congratulations to Tanni and thanks to all those who supported the appeal.

Anne Williams Regional manager and appeal co-ordinator Thanks for your letters...

Thanks are due to the many readers who responded to letters which appeared in the Summer 1998 issue.

Mike Sanger who wrote in asking for help in tracking down an RNLI propeller keyring was very grateful for his huge postbag. One generous life governor even sent one in and the keyring collection is now complete.

Incidently, Peter Chennell, managing director of RNLI (Sales) informs us that the product is still alive and well, and living in many RNLI retail outlets around the country - Item no. 11016 priced at £2.25.

We received a letter from D. J. Stanier of Derby in response to Laurie Campbell's letter, regarding the lifeboat bus which was spotted in Canada. Mr Stanier tells us it is a 1967-vintage Leyland Titan PD3 which was new to the Blackpool Corporation. It later moved to Eastbourne Buses where it was given new livery and the RNLI advertising. It was owned and operated briefly by Stevensons of Uttoxeter Ltd. until 1994 when it was purchased by a Mr Roberts of Alberta, Canada.

And finally, we had a massive response to K. R. Jolley's letter regarding the lifeboat postcard. The picture is entitled 'Saved' and is one of several paintings by marine artist Bernard Gribble commissioned for the RNLI around the turn of the century. Other postcards in this set included the paintings 'On a lee shore' and 'The return of the lifeboat'.

Letters from readers are always welcome- Address them to: The Editor, The Lifeboat RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole. Dorset BH15or email us at: [email protected]. Please mark your letters clearly 'for publication'..