I think that to designate the money for the RNLI in the NE only may be a touch parochial. Certainly, this is a NE based website and as such, it is correct to support NE based charities/groups. On the other hand, most of us fish around the country, or have friends that do so, and it would be nice to believe that when fishing in those parts, there is adequate RNLI cover.
I know that there is uproar/concern regarding the £480 million the RNLI allegedly have tucked away for a rainy day. But let’s not forget a few things,
1) They are a voluntarily funded concern, so Auntie Mabel from Clacton’s will and Uncle John’s donations on holiday in Bournemouth might not exist next year. Let’s face it, if they became Government funded, the excellent service would go down hill in all likelihood. Having a reserve, even half a billion quid, is a sensible option
2) In having (allegedly) 480 million in reserve, they might be generating in excess of 20 million pa in interest, money which doesn’t have to be raised elsewhere, so in effect they are using their resources wisely. If it’s invested correctly of course!!
3) I’m guessing that 480 million doesn’t actually go that far if you’re part ex-ing your B-Reg lifeboat for a new one and anyway, 480 million isn’t that much money in the grand scheme of things, as a politician once said, a billion here, a billion there and pretty soon, you’re talking real money. A penny on income tax raises 3-4 billion, the NHS burns about 500 million every two days. A lot for you or me, but if you’re running a 24/7, 365 day a year operation, I’d bet there are a few sleepless nights worrying over budgets.
Closing down stations is bad headlines, but 30 years ago maybe the Tyne boat could do say 20 knots with a range of 100 miles. Today in all probability it’s half as fast again, can go further and rescue more people.
Let’s not cut noses off to spite faces, and angler, a walker, a seaman, a downed airman, a child on an inflatable, they deserve saving whether they live at John O’Groats, Newcastle, Pembrokeshire, Dover or Penzance. I know a former lifeboat man and I for one wouldn’t do a hundredth of the things they do and those lads (and lasses) deserve all the support they can get.
I know that there is uproar/concern regarding the £480 million the RNLI allegedly have tucked away for a rainy day. But let’s not forget a few things,
1) They are a voluntarily funded concern, so Auntie Mabel from Clacton’s will and Uncle John’s donations on holiday in Bournemouth might not exist next year. Let’s face it, if they became Government funded, the excellent service would go down hill in all likelihood. Having a reserve, even half a billion quid, is a sensible option
2) In having (allegedly) 480 million in reserve, they might be generating in excess of 20 million pa in interest, money which doesn’t have to be raised elsewhere, so in effect they are using their resources wisely. If it’s invested correctly of course!!
3) I’m guessing that 480 million doesn’t actually go that far if you’re part ex-ing your B-Reg lifeboat for a new one and anyway, 480 million isn’t that much money in the grand scheme of things, as a politician once said, a billion here, a billion there and pretty soon, you’re talking real money. A penny on income tax raises 3-4 billion, the NHS burns about 500 million every two days. A lot for you or me, but if you’re running a 24/7, 365 day a year operation, I’d bet there are a few sleepless nights worrying over budgets.
Closing down stations is bad headlines, but 30 years ago maybe the Tyne boat could do say 20 knots with a range of 100 miles. Today in all probability it’s half as fast again, can go further and rescue more people.
Let’s not cut noses off to spite faces, and angler, a walker, a seaman, a downed airman, a child on an inflatable, they deserve saving whether they live at John O’Groats, Newcastle, Pembrokeshire, Dover or Penzance. I know a former lifeboat man and I for one wouldn’t do a hundredth of the things they do and those lads (and lasses) deserve all the support they can get.
T
TC
Guest
Oh dear - why so 
Ian ??
I\'ve been making decisions on NESA for the past 5 (almost 6) years - that\'s part of the role of the Admin and it was my decision that NESA would hold fund raising events in support of the RNLI, in ther 1st place.
The decision I\'ve made regarding changes to where the money will go from future shore comps (the decision which seems to have made you so annoyed) wasn\'t just something I decided upon, myself. It came about after the discussion we had regarding the Teesmouth situation. Many people had come down to the conclusion that they did not want to see the money we raised go into the RNLI central funds. Infact you said in your post on the topic, \"...... after reading how much money the RNLI have in reserve I am at a loss for words\"
The decision was taken after considering all the comments raised in the Teesmouth topic along with comments I recieved via both PM and e-mail.
As regards your comment, \"Surely it is in the hands of the organiser as to what happens with the money\"........Jim organises the Shore Comp and I have had several discussions with him regarding the matter - I\'m sure Jim will enlighten you as to the outcome of those discussions.
[Edited on 22/5/2006 by TC]
Ian ??I\'ve been making decisions on NESA for the past 5 (almost 6) years - that\'s part of the role of the Admin and it was my decision that NESA would hold fund raising events in support of the RNLI, in ther 1st place.
The decision I\'ve made regarding changes to where the money will go from future shore comps (the decision which seems to have made you so annoyed) wasn\'t just something I decided upon, myself. It came about after the discussion we had regarding the Teesmouth situation. Many people had come down to the conclusion that they did not want to see the money we raised go into the RNLI central funds. Infact you said in your post on the topic, \"...... after reading how much money the RNLI have in reserve I am at a loss for words\"
The decision was taken after considering all the comments raised in the Teesmouth topic along with comments I recieved via both PM and e-mail.
As regards your comment, \"Surely it is in the hands of the organiser as to what happens with the money\"........Jim organises the Shore Comp and I have had several discussions with him regarding the matter - I\'m sure Jim will enlighten you as to the outcome of those discussions.
[Edited on 22/5/2006 by TC]
IanW
Well-known member
I was already pretty sure you had been in touch with \"the organiser\" but it seemed as though the money was going elsewhere regardless of who organised an event.
Why so ??
It must be my time of the month,
, cos this isn\'t the only thing recently that\'s riled me somewhat.
Why so
??It must be my time of the month,
, cos this isn\'t the only thing recently that\'s riled me somewhat.
willywetegg
Administrator
Will atempt to reply to this again tomorrow. Just typed out a very long post and my PC crashed before I could save it. :casstet:
Jim.
:casstet: Jim.
IanW
Well-known member
howay then ian
let it all out
were all ears
and one big happy family
and
ell is the daddy
It\'s nothing more exciting than having shite loads of work and not enough time to do it.
Plus lack of enthusiasm for the boat comp has got me well pissed off.
The reply earlier is nothing more than a differing of opinions.
There\'s been plenty of them before on this site, but I\'m not going to go on and get into an argument with anyone over it.
T
TC
Guest
\"......I\'m not going to go on and get into an argument with anyone over it.\"
Fully agree, Ian - no point in that at all.
Fully agree, Ian - no point in that at all.
Oblickta
Well-known member
Will atempt to reply to this again tomorrow. Just typed out a very long post and my PC crashed before I could save it.
Jim.
lol Jim dont u just hate it when that happens
I spent 2 hours today sorting my mates PC and narrowed it down to conflicting programs (or programmers) using the same system files. Computers are innocxent but A.P (progammers).A.B
T
TC
Guest
Chippy, It was NEVER my intention to raise funds solely for N.E. based RNLI Stations. Have a look at the 2nd half of my original post on this topic.
Infact I was at pains to point out the reasons WHY I didn\'t want NESA to do that (see also my reply to SIXFOOTSTEVE in a subsequesnt post on this topic).
[Edited on 23/5/2006 by TC]
Infact I was at pains to point out the reasons WHY I didn\'t want NESA to do that (see also my reply to SIXFOOTSTEVE in a subsequesnt post on this topic).
[Edited on 23/5/2006 by TC]
