First of all, a 'Thank you'  to Ron Bentley for his letter with regard to the origin of the term Bikini when referring to the HQ transportable water unit. The name came to our language via the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific, then the scene of early atomic tests, and was later coined in some perverse way by the press as a term for the then new, and very popular, two-piece bathing costume for young ladies. What connection this has with transportable water units is beyond me, but the term was certainly in common use in 1957 when I was in the AFS briefly, before entering the Services. If you feel that you can shed further light on this particular aspect of our history, please let me know!
          I was very pleased recently to receive a review copy of Salvage Corps & Fire Patrols by Simon Gispert; an authoritative, well illustrated soft cover book of 72 pages, on the work of such bodies until their demise. I found this to be an interesting book on an aspect of firefighting history that is often passed over too lightly, so that its contribution to loss prevention is not fully appreciated. The Corps of Liverpool, London and Glasgow are covered in some detail with additional information on Belfast and Bombay; there are also notes on the situation in the USA. The list of acknowledgment gives some indication on the depth of Simon's research, and the result is well worth-while. Available from Simon Gispert, at 20 London Close, Puddlehinton, Dorchester, DT2 7TQ at £4.00 plus 80p pp. The review copy has been placed in the Library of the Trust, and I might add that I am always pleased to review work that may be of interest to our readers, before placing it in the collection.
          The postcard on this occasion (reproduced on page 9) was overprinted as the Christmas card of the Brighton Police Fire Brigade, although unfortunately there is no date or good wishes on the back. It shows Brighton's new motor tender - designed by Supt Lacroix and built by the Brigade staff - readers might like to speculate as to the makers of the chassis!
          In March last year I received an invitation to attend a reunion of the AFS unit that was based at the Central Fire Station, Lancaster Road, Leicester, organised to commemorate the disbandment of the AFS in 1968. Seven former members were welcomed by Leicestershire South Divisional Commander, SDO Nick Kirby, together with a Green Goddess (where did that name come from? Answers on a postcard please) from the Leicester City Fire Brigade Museum Society.
          Business in Windsor some months ago led to the purchase of a publication by the Windsor Local History Publications Group, called Fires at Windsor Castle by Sheila Rooney. A good read this, with much interesting historical material, revealing that the fire of 1992 was by no means the first. £4.95 plus pp, from Mrs Pamela Marson, of the above group at 256 Dedworth Road, Windsor, SL4 4JR.
          Many museums include fire vehicles/equipment somewhere in their displays, and a visit to the Kent Battle of Britain Museum at the former RAF Hawkinge, near Folkstone, revealed an ATV K2, registration number GXH304 in what might be described as Service Drab. Certainly the RAF were still using these ubiquitous vehicles in the late 1950's to provide cover at non-flying stations. After war time production these vehicles went on to serve for many years in a variety of guises, as illustrated elsewhere in this edition.
          The Collection continues to gather strength with additions both large and small - here is a selection: GLW416 is a Leyland Merryweather TL which will require complete restoration - a large task, but the vehicle has been gifted to the Trust by the Hoker Hall Lakeland Motor Museum, to whom we are very grateful;  a volume entitled Fire and Rescue Operations at Heathrow Airport - 1971. This is a report of a working party, set up by the Department of Trade and Industry as a recommendation of the report on the accident to Boeing 707 G-ARWE, and finally an ARP scoop, used to handle incendiary bombs - that is until an explosive charge was included to deter such activity!
          Readers may recall discussion previously of the need to rationalise the appliance collection, to