Hengistbury Head’s National Coastwatch Institution station enjoys royal visit by Princess Anne in run-up to rescue charity’s 30th anniversary
Volunteers at the National Coastwatch Institution’s Hengistbury Head base enjoyed a royal visit in the run-up to the charity’s 30th anniversary.
HRH The Princess Royal was welcomed to the clifftop station by NCI deputy chair Dr Chris Aps, station manager Peter Holway and watchkeepers Victoria Jago and Vincent Tabor.
Introduced by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Mr Angus Campbell CVO, they gave a briefing on daily operations.
One of the busiest coastal stations in a network of 60 in terms of incident recording, it had over 60 logged per year in the last two years.
NCI chair Stephen Hand then invited Princess Anne to present five-year service awards to six watchkeepers. She also unveiled a commemorative plaque, which will be placed in the station.
Mr Hand said: “Already this year, Her Royal Highness has visited our stations in Cromer, Norfolk and Worms Head in Wales; and it’s a wonderful start to the year in which we will celebrate our 30th anniversary of helping to keep people safe on the coast and save lives at sea.”
After visiting the station, Princess Anne attended a reception at the nearby St Nicholas Church Hall, attended by over 50 NCI watchkeepers and station managers from across the region.
Mudeford RNLI personnel were among local guests, joining representatives from Southbourne Coastguard and the Rt. Hon. Tobias Ellwood MP.