Branding reviewviews for Issue No 563 has arrived and read; an excellent issue, presentation and contents.

It has a great practical and interesting 'buzz' about it all.

The Lifeboat College must surely be money extremely well spent. Great idea and I am sure it will be well used.

In 40 years of sailing we have been lucky enough not to have called for your ever present help, but we have monitored many a rescue whilst being at sea and have felt more comfortable and aware a consequence.

Frank Ellen, Stirlingshire lifeboat Lifeboat of the future A t «htint-in»-sce fwwTimir class Capital c w enes look al 1h* » I ile boat and against Having just received the latest edition of the Lifeboat magazine, I felt I must write to protest at the much vaunted 'new branding' it features.

With the experience of a lifetime in the advertising and marketing world, I feel that the RNLI have been 'conned' by a trendy design outfit recommending change for the sake of change, plus, of course, their not inconsiderable fee.

Gone is the responsible and mature appearance worthy of an organisation with the history and traditions of the RNLI. In it's place we have bold blocks of colour that hinder the reading pleasure of the contents. It appears more as if you are addressing a play-school audience whose attention can only be obtained by shock treatment.

Consequently the pictures throughout are all smaller than they need be and the interesting diagrams that at one time accompanied the fascinating accounts of rescue are no longer there.

It saddens me to have to say that I would have thought that our subscriptions could have been better spent elsewhere within your organisation. I don't imagine that you will publish this letter, but I hope at least you will discuss its contents with Bamber, Forsyth and Fitch! John Skinner, BristolWe have had a targe response to the news of the RNLI branding review and the revamped look o/the Lifeboat magazine.

As we expected, there was a huge range of views, from the wildly enthusiastic to the deeply disapproving.

Some people expressed concern over the idea of the RNLI paying consultants, but this is simply responsible and prudent behaviour in the current climate. There is stiff competition between charities and the RNLt would not be doing its duty by its supporters if it did not ensure that it was able to complete as strongly as anyone else for the limited charity pound.

As for the Lifeboat design, wewere delighted with the generally positive response we got from our readers. We have, however, taken on board any criticisms and will, naturally, be developing our look with every issue.

Thank you to everyone who expressed their support, Lifeboat and theRNLI.

Jane Smythson - EditorCeremony of dedication for the National Memorial Arboretum Further to my previous letters, I am writing to inform you of the forthcoming ceremony of dedication and official handover of the RNLI plot at the National Memorial Arboretum.

The Arboretum is a part of the new national forest in Alrewas (north of Birmingham) and has been put together to remember those men and women who have given their lives in service to their fellow men. The service of dedication and official handover will take place on 17 September 2003 at 12 noon. A service will be held at the Arboretum chapel followed by a ceremony on the site.

Tickets are being issued for the service but, because of the limited number of seats in the chapel, only 80 tickets are available. These are being restricted to branches that have donated funds towards the plot.

However, those without tickets can visit the Arboretum on the day of the dedication (current admission charge is £3.50) and hear the outside relay of the chapel service. There are plenty of seats nearby and undercover. After the service they would be able to join the ceremony at the site.

If you are interested in receiving more details or wish to support us by attending the event please contact Miss C Muspratt, chairman of Tamworth branch on 01827373522.

Phillip Theaker Chairman of Burton St Mowden branch Tel: 01283 713 942Letter of the quarter Building better boats Everyone knows what a wonderful job the lifeboat men do and I am full of praise for them. This letter, though, is in praise of the lifeboats, without which they could not do such a brilliant job. It would be like a rifle without a bullet! 1 am 90 years old now and have been interested in the Lifeboats since I was involved in the building of one 60 years ago, when I was working at Morgan Giles shipyard in Teignmouth.

Shipwrights, joiners and engineers (all first-class tradesmen) were involved in the building. I worked with my mate Jim Boyne on the buoyancy tanks, a crucial part in the building of the boat. They were built of cedar wood covered with calico and placed in the bow and stern. More were fixed under the seating on the deck and they were made of mahogany. The whole process was complicated, like making a jigsaw puzzle.

Although made so very differently today, their special design is vital and I am writing to acknowledge this, tempted by the lovely whisky - a perfect way to toast the lifeboats and the brave men who crew them.

Henry Jones, TeignmouthThank you for reminding us all of the skill and dedication that went into the design and construction of lifeboats before anyone working in today's RNLI was born! May I assure you that even though today we have computers to help us with the design process and use materials whose strength to weight ratio was unheard of in your day, we have the same pride, the same dedication and the same determination you showed, to build the very best lifeboats in the world for our brave volunteers.

David Morgan Engineering and Supply DirectorAdded value As a supporter of the RNLI for many years, some time ago I was asked if I could contribute more. As I am retired and surviving on a far from generous pension, I felt this was not within my means so, instead, I acquired an RNLI credit card on which I spend some £400 monthly on food and household goods.

The interest on my expenditure certainly mounts up. My bank informs me periodically how much the RNLI gains from credit cards and I would like to recommend this method of adding to RNLI funds in a painless way.

I would add that, as the daughter of an enthusiastic amateur yachtsman, I have been aware of the role of the RNLI and for its tremendous support to those at sea throughout my life.

SM Atherden, EdinburghWin a bottle! Mr Jones wins a bottle of Old Pulteney Whisky, generously donated by Inver House Distillers.

Many thanks to them for their support.

We hope to find some new goodies for the letter of the quarter in the future. So if you've got any burning issues to get off your chest about lifeboats or a related subject, put your pen to paper and send your letter to: Your letters, The Lifeboat, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ or email us at: [email protected] All letters intended for consideration should be clearly marked 'For publication'.RNLI at your service While in Shoreham recently I was lucky enough to snap this picture of the Shoreham lifeboats escorting the tall ship Endeavour into the Harbour. The Endeavour is a replica of Captain James Cook's ship, and is a working, sailing museum currently making a round-the-world tour. I thought it was a fantastic photo opportunity and couldn't resist sharing it with other readers. I hope you enjoy it! RodArmstrong Chairman of Angmering branch (1981-91).