The Royal National Lifeboat Institution was founded in 1824 and is The charity that saves lives at sea.

There are over 250 lifeboat stations round the UK and Irish coast, and the RNLI has saved over 144,000 lives in that period. There are a number of themes which can be featured, such as heroic 'shouts' - call for help, as well as the role of women in the RNLI, inspired from early days by Florence Nightingale. The history of the Selsey station, with all its boats and boat house buildings can also be featured. A talk includes slides and a short video, and takes about 40 mins, after which Q&A are welcome. A Donation is welcome, no fixed fee applies. I will bring a laptop, hopefully a projector and screen will be available.

I have been an amateur sailor since 1966, and have enjoyed sailing round our coast, as well as the Caribbean and Mediterranean. My wife and I own a yacht which we keep at Chichester Harbour. Back in the 1980s and 90s I was a prominent member of a well regarded Speakers Club where I learned the skill.