The year ended with a couple of little bright spots. Our lead story about Silva's problem with an early fixed DSC VHF showed the way product failings should be dealt with.

There was no fuss. No bother. No attempt to hide.

Tony Kent and Jim Deheer personally telephoned all the editors to explain the situation and what Silva was doing about it.

The company then booked advertisements in 15 magazines to get the information across to as many members of the public as possible.

When there is a problem, there's only one way to act. Admit to it and sort it out fast.

And after Marlow ropes got itself in a bit of a mess, it was very nice to hear Peter Earp had rescued the yachting side of the business, although as we went to press the heavy marine side of the Marlow business was still in administration.

But Earp has made sure the Marlow name - surely one of the best brand names in the industry - won't fade away.

Never the shrinking violet, Earp insisted he was going to take Marlow back to its glory days. "I see this as a fabulous opportunity to take a British manufacturing name forward. I'm so proud of it all. It's an honour for me."

We could do with a few more like Peter Earp, I reckon.

Finally, the BW/BMF spat lingers on - see the letters on page 22.

When will these two organisations stop behaving like Big Girls Blouses and go to mediation?