Beach bother In August, when my granddaughter Victoria was on holiday in Dorset, she went with her mum and brother to a beach at Sandbanks, where she recognised some of the members of the lifeguard team from the photo in theLifeboat article (Summer 2001). A couple of days later while paddling, she stepped on something that punctured her foot and caused her intense pain. The lifeguard team were able to help, identifying the cause - weever fish - and gave aid and advice.

I have been a lifeboat supporter for over 50 years and am proud and grateful to the RNLI that Victoria is the first family member to benefit from a 'rescue'.

John Fromow Guildford, Surrey Letter of the quarter wins a bottle of Old Pulteney whiskyNew look - your response When we asked for your comments on the revamped magazine, little did we realise quite what a response we would get- The publications team have been deluged with letters and emails - and we are delighted to report that the vast majority have been extremely favourable.

Extracts of some typical letters are shown below. We are sorry that we can't publish all the responses we have received, but we simply do not have enough space. We would, however, like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to let us know how they feel.I was delighted with the new look magazine and have enjoyed reading the articles very much. I pass it on to family and friends and am sure they will agree with me that it is a good and interesting read and much improved.

Helen McKenna Glasgow Excellent new magazine format.

Good feeling of vitality. I like the notes in green showing what funds raised can buy.

Kate Webb by email I like the new format - the various sections' headlines are eye-catching and the idea of a pull-out listings section is excellent. A question though - did your review cover whether to use recycled paper? Anne Cargill Swanage Editor's note: We did consider using recycled paper but it is more expensive and the quality is not so good. As a charity, we have to ensure our admin costs are kept as low as possible. However, we do ensure that we only use paper taken from sustainable forests where two trees are planted for every one used.

Bravo. The 'new' Lifeboat is brilliant, covering all aspects in a bright, breezy, yet very informative manner. I have every issue of the magazine since the 1960s and the most recent issue does confirm that we are in a new millennium. Congratulations to the editor and all the team.

Dick Robinson, Ennis Co. Clare I have enjoyed reading theLifeboat over many years...

your new style and format are easier to read, better presented and produced. Congratulations on all the innovations.

George Godber by email It is everything you say: brighter, livelier and more informative. It certainly cheered me up on a morning which was cold, wet and not at all the sort of day when one wanted to go out.

It also made me think more about the brave lifeboatmen and women who do not have a second thought about going out to save others in such terrible conditions.

Marjorie Byram Leeds I think the new format and design of the Autumn Lifeboat are a vast improvement and everyone connected with it should be proud of their achievement. So, keep up the good work. Best wishes to my favourite charity.

Mr S Bradbury Keighley WOW was my initial reaction when removing this newly designed Lifeboat magazine from my pile of post. It really stood out and wanted to be read. Brilliant.

Fiona Heath by email We were most disappointed to receive the Autumn issue of theLifeboat without the lovely illustrations of lifeboats and seagoing craft. We have always loved the colourful pictures on the front cover and do not like your alteration, which makes it look like a very ordinary magazine.

Peggy Bradford Eastbourne Editor's note: Rest assured thai we have not stopped using the dramatic lifeboat cover shots for good.

However, we want to reflect the many different aspects of the RNLI, especially when relevant to a feature.Bravo for beach rescue Having read the article on beach rescue in the autumn edition of theLifeboat. the RNLI is to be congratulated in taking the initiative in examining the potential benefits of coordinating beach rescue functions with the life saving function of the RNLI.

Whilst not wishing to comment on the detail of your comprehensive beach rescue article, as a dayboat sailor based on a south Devon estuary, I can but support the concept of a single organisation to regulate performance and equipment specifications, training and competence standards, and overall operational control of beach rescue units, in conjunction with the wider rescue scenario.

A role for which the RNLI is uniquely qualified.

Rowland Cole Kingsbridge, Devon Give us an 'R' I think the letter for this quarter should be... R The next quarter... N The third quarter... L And the last quarter...

Please may I have my bottle of whisky! Colin Fletcher Salford, Lancashire Nice try Colin. Our letters of the quarter to you are 'N' and 'O'. Ed Only a temp? Shoreham RNLI branch received the following letter from RNLI head office in 1942.

'Dear Captain Keigwin, In reply to your letter of the 28th instant, I am glad to know that Mr AM Browning, son of the late Mr WM Browning, is satisfactorily carrying out the clerical duties of the branch. We must, of course, remember that the elder Browning, up to the date of his death, was acting for Mr TG Townshend on military service, and so the appointment of the son, Mr AM Browning, must be regarded as temporary.

The annual grant for this clerical help was due in the month of November and so I now enclose herewith a cheque for £10 in favour of Mr AM Browning.' Mr Browning is still in his temporary post some 60 years later and has a Gold Badge. Is this some sort of record? Martyn Smith Divisional Inspector/East But does he still get paid £10 per year? Ed.Good golly My hobby is collecting Robertson's golly badges. I am looking for a lifeboatman golly badge that was issued in 1988. There were 25,000 issued and each had a presentation box and individually numbered certificate. At the time they cost £1.15 each and for each one sold, 15p went to the RNLI.

I would dearly like one of these for my collection.

If any readers have one that they would like to go to a good home, please contact me. As well as purchasing the badge, I will also make a donation to the RNLI.

Graham Borrow 10 Trinity Grove, Blundellsands, Liverpool L23 6XE Tel: 0151 931 2501 Email: [email protected] National Memorial Arboretum I wonder how many people are aware that the National Memorial Arboretum has been established at Alrewas (north of Birmingham) as part of the new national forest. Over 80 million people were killed in wars during the 20th century and the arboretum has been established to remember them together with people who have given their lives in service to their fellow men.

The South Staffordshire branches feel that the RNLI should be represented here to commemorate those crew members who have given their lives. The cost of a plot is £5,000 and this includes the provision and planting of trees, the provision of a memorial plaque and all future maintenance, so that there is no further financial cost.

Unfortunately, the constitution of the RNLI does not allow its funds to be used for this purpose but if individuals wish to fundraise independently for this specific scheme and make a gift of the plot, the RNLI will be please to accept this gift.

If you wish to support us, please forward your cheque, made payable to 'The National Memorial Arboretum - RNLI' to Miss C Muspratt, 127 Main Street, Clifton Campville, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 OAX. Miss Muspratt is chairman of Tamworth branch. To keep costs to a minimum, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope for acknowledgement. Any surplus funds will be transferred to the RNLI as a general donation, although it is hoped to have enough money to provide some wooden seating.

If you require any further information please contact me or go to the new website for the Arboretum at www.arboretum-nma.org.uk.

Philip Theaker, Chairman of Burton, St Modwen branch 01283 713942.