Ian picks the winners Ian Ventham, RNLI Head of Fundraising and Marketing, (pictured with Judith Saint, Finance and Systems Manager) drew the winners of the Lifeboat Lottery on 29 October. The 87th draw, which took place at lifeboat headquarters in Poole, raised over £298,400 for Institution funds.

First prize, a week for two in a luxury Warner Historic Hotel, went to Mrs E Shepherd of Staple Hill in Bristol. Second and third prizes, both weekend breaks for two also in a luxury Warner hotel, went to Mr A Brimson of Bletchley, Milton Keynes and Mrs C Kelly of Oakley in Bedfordshire.

The cash prize winners were: • E200 - Mrs 0 E Pike, Bexhill on Sea.

• £100 - Mr and Mrs B Wheeler, Barnet, Herts; Mr A Beech, Stoke-on- Trent, Staffordshire; Mr and Mrs J Allan, Anstruther, Fife; Mr R Ward, Ipswich and Ms M Lawrence, Worthing, Sussex.

On Station The following lifeboats have taken up duty: All-weather Weymouth - Arun 52-18 (ON1073) Robert Edgar on 4 September 1999 Tynemouth - Severn 17-20 (ON1242) Spirit of Northumberland on 21 October 1999 Newhaven - Severn 17-21 (ON 1243) David and Elizabeth Ac/and on 8 November Port Talbot - D550 no name on 26 August 1999 Alderney - D551 no name on 26 August 1999 Aberdovey - B758 Sandwell Lifeline on 12 September 1999 Clovelly - B759 Spirit of Clovellyon 5 October 1999Slipway launch in lights...

Every year hundreds of people flock to see the laser and light shows during the Walsall Illuminations. In the 1999 event, one of the many features was the above display depicting a 'splashy' slipway lifeboat launch from a boathouse into a lake!Little lifeboat darlings Pictured is Peel's Lifeboat Princess for 1999, Zara Sweeney, and her attendants (left to right) Toni Biggane, Rachel Warburton and Natasha Le Moignan. The girls recieved second prize at the Peel carnival in August when their float was entered in the princess floats section.

Lifeboats live on in Oz Ex-Arun lifeboat, Spirit of Tayside, was sold to the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and placed on station at Port Stephens, New South Wales in September. This picture was taken as the boat was being lifted out of the water at Tilbury docks, just prior to shipping.

Six Waveneys have also been sold to the RVCP and will be stationed at Botany Bay, Narooma, Ulladulla, Sidney, Broken Bay and Batemans Bay. Three of these vessels have already arrived in Australia, two more are due to arrive in Sidney as we go to press, and the final one will be saying g'day sometime in the new year.WANTED! GREW MEMBERS (Your children, grandchildren or their friends will do nicely) RNLI Storm Force needs more shorebased crew, like you. Do you know someone who loves the sea, ships, action and adventure as much as you do? Then why not do them a favour and solve all your present problems by buying them a special 'gift' membership? As a new crew member they'll enjoy all the exciting goodies in their joining pack and learn about the world of lifeboats.

They'll also get • Storm Force News, the quarterly club magazine.

• opportunities to write to Stormy Stan - and get a reply from him too! • the chance to find a penpal.

• the chance for promotion from 'crew' to 'coxswain'.

• sea safety tips.

... plus competitions, games, challenges and lots more.

Just send in the details required - full name, address and date of birth - and send this with a cheque or postal order for £5.00 (for each new member) to: Stormy Stan, Storm Force HQ, RNLI, FREEPOST, West Quay Road Poole, Dorset BH15 1XF.

(or write for further details) ' STORM i| FORCE .1 t .