VOICes ‘The lifeboat volunteers make me proud to be British.’ Murray Walker The voice of Formula One tells Rory Stamp of his admiration for the RNLI’s crews ‘I’ve always had immeasurable respect for them,’ says Murray Walker as he watches lifeboat crew members tuck into lunch at The Lifeboat College restaurant. The well-loved motor racing commentator has taken an afternoon out of his busy schedule to pay a visit to the RNLI’s training centre at Poole, a short drive from his Hampshire home. ‘When I think of those volunteers putting their lives at risk at sea for no financial gain, it makes me proud to be British,’ he adds. His voice and face are already igniting flickers of recognition at surrounding tables.

For motorsport fans everywhere, Murray’s hi-octane tones are still as central to Formula One as the chequered flags and overflowing champagne, even though he stopped commentating on the sport in 2001. ‘I chose to step down then because I wanted to finish with dignity. Age withers, and I wanted to stop nearer the top of my profession than the bottom,’ he explains. But the energetic octogenarian hasn’t completely taken his foot off the pedal. He still commentates at major international events and is 2007’s Formula One Ambassador for Honda: a role that is taking him around the globe. It’s a land-based, money-driven sport that can seem a million miles away from the world of boating, yet Murray (an RNLI Shoreline supporter) reserves a great deal of admiration for the charity’s crews.

‘It does your heart good to hear that young people want to give up their time to save lives,’ remarks Murray, sipping a coffee as trainees leave the restaurant, suitably refuelled and ready for an afternoon’s activity. ‘I can see how important their lifeboat crew training is. Put it this way, you wouldn’t want to put an inexperienced driver in charge of a Formula One racing car – it’s a sophisticated, powerful, expensive bit of kit that can do more harm than good if you don’t know what you’re doing.’ As he speaks, a man in an RNLI crew polo shirt rushes up and shakes him by the hand. ‘Lovely to meet you, Mr Walker – just wanted to say I’m a lifelong fan.’ Murray’s popularity amongst motorsport enthusiasts is perhaps down to him being such a big fan himself. His father was a motorcycle TT champion and, for half his life, motorsport was more of a passionate hobby for Murray than a career. For more than 30 years he held down a successful day job in advertising while commentating in his spare time.

‘I am a frustrated racing motorcyclist at heart, really,’ he says. ‘I would have loved to be the best like Valentino Rossi, but I wasn’t good enough.

So I supplemented my desires by talking about motorsport.’ Although he admits he feels pangs of envy when he sees others climb into the driving seat and tackle chicanes at extraordinary speeds, Murray still gets excited as a spectator. ‘It’s dramatic, noisy, colourful, dangerous, competitive and glamorous. A very heady mix!’ he points out. ‘There is something magical about the noise, speed and assault on your senses. Maybe it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but some people fall in love with it from their very first event.’ With decades of commentating under his belt, Murray is greeted as an old friend when he bumps into Formula One team members on his travels. ‘One of the best parts of it for me has been meeting some incredible people. Getting to know them amidst this travelling circus of Formula One and seeing their determination and dedication to get to the top has been fantastic,’ he says, adding that, over the years, he has befriended Stirling Moss, Nigel Mansell and Michael Schumacher amongst others. ‘Michael was adored by everyone in his team because he is a natural born leader and motivator of people. He made it his business to talk to everybody. He knew every nuance of his car and truly applied himself.’ It is his understanding of racing drivers that leads Murray to make a salient point about lifeboat coxswains. ‘I suppose you need a lot of the same qualities if you’re at the wheel of a lifeboat,’ he says as he prepares to drive back to his New Forest home.

‘You need to know your limits, your crew’s limits, and the limits of your vehicle. Plus plenty of passion and experience, I would imagine’: two qualities that Murray certainly isn’t short of himself. A touch of brass can lead to so much more The names of RNLI boats give tantalising hints of their origin. Here, Carol Waterkeyn takes the rare opportunity to meet the man behind one such name When news of a legacy arrives at RNLI Headquarters, staff and volunteers often wonder why the charity was special to the deceased person. But in the case of the recently acquired Robert S Ellsmoor, her eponymous donor is alive and well, and able to enjoy seeing his namesake used in crew training.

Mr Ellsmoor, now aged 68 and retired, has always had a keen interest in the RNLI. From an early age he watched the lifeboat launch in his home town of Hoylake county. ‘As a teenager in the early 1950s, I knew all the names of the crew and regularly visited the station, even helping to polish the brasses. The boats were so lovingly cared for by the crew and shorehelpers, something that has stuck with me throughout my life.’ Unsurprisingly, the sea later beckoned and, in 1955, Robert joined the Merchant Navy as a cadet and served as an apprentice, progressing to the role of deck of? cer (pictured).

‘I quali? ed in 1960 and sailed out of Liverpool mainly, but also Hull, London and ports in mainland Europe serving the west African trade routes and even further a? eld. I took my Masters Certi? cate in 1966, which allowed me to eventually gain command.’ After substantial restructuring of the merchant shipping business in the 80s, Robert was made redundant but was not to be separated from the sea. He worked on ferry services between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire and for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

‘During my time on the ferries, we took part in exercises with the emergency and search and rescue services, so I saw fi rst hand the type of rescues that the RNLI were involved in. I am amazed by the number of call outs the lifeboats and hovercraft respond to each year and I have enormous respect for what the crews do.

I admire their professionalism and also that of the volunteer sea safety offi cers who carry out boat checks and give advice to sailors.

‘Now I have my own boat, a Beneteau Antares 7.10, it is good to think there are RNLI volunteers on hand should I ever need them – you never know what might happen. But I know that crew training is essential. That is why I decided to help fund an RNLI training boat.’ During construction, Robert was delighted to visit Hardy Marine’s boatyard in Norfolk and witness craftsmen there make the fi nal touches. The RNLI’s two Hardy Commodore 42 motor yachts were built to its own specifi cations but some ‘off the peg’ craft were at earlier stages of construction and on view at the same time: ‘It was fascinating!’ The Robert S Ellsmoor and her twin the Ian and Ann Butler can now both be found at The Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset.

They are already booked up for the year for training personnel from across the UK and RoI in boathandling, navigation and other key skills (see the Spring 2007 issue of the Lifeboat for details). The proudest moment for this donor came in June this year when, as the Lifeboat went to print, he took part in the offi cial naming ceremony at The Lifeboat College for the Robert S Ellsmoor. ‘We are so grateful for Mr Ellsmoor’s generosity. Over the past months, we have had the pleasure of getting to know Bob well – he really is part of the RNLI family.

‘Everyone who gives to the RNLI helps keep the service running, both now and for years to come. It’s not just boats we need, though: training, equipment and shoreworks always need funding and are just as important.

If you would like to help please give me a ring on 01202 663115.’ Sarah Sleigh, RNLI Personal Donations Manager your shout Dear Editor, My wife and I were privileged recently to spend a day visiting RNLI Headquarters at Poole. Every aspect that we saw or heard made us deeply proud of the Lifeboat service and full of admiration both for the people and the organisation.

We saw operating several lifeboats and how impressive they were, particularly the latest Tamar, with its fully integrated electronics and ergonomic controls operated from shock-protected seats for all the crew. What truly innovative care your design department has taken, nothing being left to chance.

We walked through your remarkable residential College with all the latest aids to teaching – even a pool in which survival in a stormy sea at night can be simulated – but most humbling was the obvious professionalism and enthusiasm of the instructors and the infectious pride of the students, most of whom had given up their own time to be there.

Especially memorable was a class of young lifeguards about to deploy for the Summer season.

Their instructor told us that prior to RNLI involvement with their club, they had no proper equipment, uniform or training whereas now they have all three.

Lastly we saw the logistic operation to keep all this running, with over 20,000 items in a modern warehouse served by forklift elevators that can rise up to nine storeys. I spent 32 years in the Royal Navy (I am a retired RN Engineering Commodore) so I know what a ship should look like and what it takes to get her there, in that malign environment which is bad weather at sea – and yet this is your norm! I spent 8 years working for a US fi rm and my American friends could not believe that in the British Isles what they assume has to be run by a Government agency is done by charity and very well done too! Long may the RNLI continue and be an inspiration, even in other fi elds as it is in rescue at sea. Yours sincerely Robin Kerr, Bath Dear Editor, Regarding the question in the Spring 2007 issue whether those rescued by the RNLI go on to donate: I was rescued by the Padstow lifeboat in 1968 [pictured] when I was 20, together with ? ve members of my extended family. My father and uncle made a donation at the time and I am a Shoreline supporter. I also put money in every single lifeboat box I come across.

My husband always complains to the people minding the box that he doesn’t know why he’s contributing as look what he’s had to Regarding the question in the Spring 2007 issue whether those rescued by the RNLI go on to donate: I was rescued by the Padstow lifeboat in 1968 [pictured] when I was 20, together with ? ve members of my extended family. My father and uncle made a donation at the time and I am a Shoreline supporter. I also put money in every single lifeboat box I come across.

My husband always complains to the people minding the box that he doesn’t know why he’s contributing as look what he’s had to put up with ever since! He thinks it’s very funny but at least the RNLI is not forgotten by us and we spread the word whenever possible. Keep up the wonderful work.

Yours very gratefully, Margaret Humphreys (née Mattos) by email put up with ever since! He thinks it’s very funny but at least the RNLI is not forgotten by us and we spread the word whenever possible. Keep up the wonderful work.

Margaret Humphreys (née Mattos) lifeboats Dear Editor Would you believe? Some dirty rotten bounder of a sneak thief has nicked my Governor’s stick-on badge off the rear of my car. It must have taken hours because you Lifeboat lot don’t muck about and the adhesive was designed to last. Would you be kind enough to send me another? Meanwhile, I will keep a sharp lookout for any cars sporting the Governor logo driven by a person who does not look like a Governor. Are there any characteristics I should be looking for?! Kind regards Terence Skinner London To add your shout, write to the Editor at [email protected] or RNLI Headquarters, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ.