Thank you for my journal (the Lifeboat, Winter issue). The prize-winning photograph taken by Neville Murphy, of the Dunmore East station crew changing room, brought back memories  of my boyhood. When in Sunderland, I accompanied my father (Second Cox'n of that station) to the boathouse, whenever I could cajole him into taking me with him! Neville's picture reminded me of the awe with which I viewed the silent oilskins and kapok lifejackets hanging up on their overhead 'airer', alongside the ‘huge lifeboat’. I was only a child ... remember!

It always struck me how peaceful and cathedral-like the atmosphere of the boathouse was. At 16 years of age, I joined the crew, and found the peaceful air was soon disturbed by the activity of the crew when the boat was manned and launched.

Even now at 76+ years, these memories (aided by such gems as Neville's), and my nostalgia of those years has not been lost!

Billy Dent (Former RNLI Staff Coxswain), Latvia

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I am Secretary of Basingstoke Branch and thought you might like to know about two of our fundraisers who are both nonagenarians. Joan Webb is 93 and has been a committee member for at least 25 years. Phyl Millar is 90 and started on the committee over 20 years ago.

They both take part in collections … in all weathers and don’t let anything hold them back. Their enthusiasm and energy are tremendous.

Shelagh Le Maréchal,
Secretary of Basingstoke Branch RNLI, Hampshire

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Reading through my latest RNLI magazine, I spotted on page 40, Swimming in Style, the photo of a group of gentlemen of the Brighton Swimming Club in 1863.

What I couldn’t take onboard is the reference ‘They also formed life saving teams – so “skivvies” and proudly exposed bare chests were probably the style of early beach rescue.’

What on earth are ‘skivvies’ to do with men’s swimming trunks? Skivvies were, and still are, people who do hard, usually domestic, work. I’ve never heard of men’s swimming trunks being called 'skivvies’ before. Please enlighten me!

Linda Atkins, Surrey

[Writer Jon Jones comments: Since the early 1900s, the phrase ‘stripping to your skivvies’ has been in fairly broad use. In this sense skivvy refers to a vest or ‘skivvy shirt’ but as a plural it is quite specific to male briefs. Another modern usage is found in the phrase ‘skivvywearing’ which, conversely, is a derogatory term for upper middle classes who allegedly wear tight-fitting roll-neck sweaters!]

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The latest RNLI magazine has already been picked up several times and special items picked out.

A smile as I read the name of Carol Waterkeyn, Deputy Editor of the Winter issue, and appropriately named! For me, special items in this magazine are: attempting to educate people how to enjoy a swim but generally to understand ebb and flow and full tide timing.

I also took in some of the detail of the Shannon lifeboats, no longer wooden, and when you’ve the new buildings for building and maintenance it will be wonderful.

Finally, what a wonderful lad you have (Storm Force member), 12-year-old Luke, giving a talk about your work – a few more years and he might even be a crew member!

Mrs Doherty, Shropshire