90 years ago I wonder whether you would be interested in this photograph, taken on Lifeboat Day in Croydon in 1909, 90 years ago? My brother, aged 5 (left), and I, aged 4, carried the tin lifeboat collection boxes during a street parade on the Lifeboat Day. I remember how the cord attached to the box cut the back of my neck as it got heavier with the coins inserted therein.

Our mother made our costumes, including the sou'westers - then an item of dress for lifeboatmen.

Our parents were RNLI supporters, father had two seafaring brothers, and I am a Shoreline supporter, carrying on the family support.

Lawrence Morgan Dawlish, Devon Far from home While my wife and I were on holiday on the East Coast of Malaysia recently we were shown local craftsmen at work in a boatbuilding yard at Kuala Terenggenau.

We were told that one of the boats undergoing a complete refit there was from Britain and was built in 1937.

Although the hull had been stripped to bare wood, which seemed in excellent condition, and was surrounded in scaffolding, the shape seemed familiar and the handholds along the bilge keel gave another clue.

A closer inspection revealed traces of the familiar blue paint and a hazardous expedition through the scaffolding showed the distinctive propeller tunnels, but sadly I could find no builder's plate.

A complete new superstructrure was being built so when complete her origins may not be readily recognisable, but the hull looked good for another 60 years of service.

Colin Rees Wells, Somerset Was it me...? I read with interest the letter Thanks to Mr X' from Mrs B. Wright from Ventnor which appeared in the Winter 98/99 issue of The Lifeboat I believe I was the mystery lifeboat member who helped out at this unfortunate accident.

I was on holiday at the time with my family and was happy to be able to offer assistance thanks to recent first aid training with the lifeboat service.

I would be grateful if you would pass on my best wishes to the couple and let them know how pleased I am to hear that Mr Wright is recovering well at home and thank them for taking the trouble of finding a way of expressing their thanks.

I am so pleased I was able to make a difference due to the training given to me through the lifeboat service.

Phillip Curry Walmer lifeboat crew 'Good Luck Blackpool' - from Hastings I read your article 'Blackpool Illuminated' in the Winter 98/99 issue of The Lifeboat with much interest as in Hastings we have had a multipurpose lifeboat station with a very successful Visitors Centre and souvenir shop for over three years.

In 1994 the RNLI established a requirement to design and build a new lifeboat station at Hastings. While operational requirements were to be given priority facilities for visitors were to be included and the station was designated the first Visitors Centre.

Building was completed in December 1995 and the station became operational in January 1996.

Visitors are able to walk around the ground level and see the Mersey on its launching carriage, the launching tractor and the D class inshore lifeboat.

They can go up onto a raised gallery which runs the full length of the Mersey at deck level.

There are a number of displays and information panels, a large well-equipped presentation room with a large video screen and a well-planned and well-stocked shop.

A visitors centre such as this does require a lot of staffing. The fact that the centre has gone from strength to strength over the years is largely due to the first-class work of a devoted band of volunteers - the shop helpers, the very knowledgeable stewards in the boathouse apd the 'pre-arranged group' hosts, all of whom.

deserve much praise.

Finally I offer to Blackpool Visitors Centre all best wishes for the future, may your teething troubles be few (and very small) and your success as great as that of the Hastings Visitors Centre S. G. Gerrard St Leonards-on-Sea East Sussex Don't try this at home This photograph was taken in 1932. I was one of a number who regularly took summer holidays at Bembridge, Isle of Wight. We made a little trolley, which we named 'Guppy' and used it to shoot down the slipway of the lifeboat station into the sea.

The lifeboatmen and coxswain were not too happy about this but never stopped us.

It was great fun.

John Braun, London Letters from readers are always welcome.

Address them to: The Editor, The Lifeboat, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ or email us at: thelifeboat@rnli. org. uk All submissions should be marked 'for publication'..