NCI Cornwall get the Queen's Award.

NCI Cornwall has received the Award for helping to save lives at sea and along the Cornish coastline. Accidents do happen and there is no substitute for a watchful pair of eyes in spotting a distress flare, an overturned boat, a yachtsman with engine failure or an injured cliff path walker. NCI volunteers are trained to spot, plot and report on just such eventualities. There are over 500 watchkeepers and trainees manning the thirteen stations operated by NCI in Cornwall. The numbers continue to grow as volunteers from all backgrounds appreciate the part they are able to play in helping to ensure the safety of our coastline at no cost to the public.

Winners of this year’s Award were selected from 341 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community. 

NCI Cornwall will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty's representative in Cornwall, Lady Mary Holborow J.P. at a special ceremony at Truro School Yesterday.

 There's now a copy proudly hanging on the wall now of every Cornish NCI watchstation around the county's coastline....

visitors are always welcome and it's easy to tell if a watch station is manned, the Union Jack will be flying......

 as is the case with Penzance's station, which used to be a WWII look out for the army's gun battery.....

 with its commanding position overlooking Mount's Bay.....

 this morning, station commander Brian Jackson has called in to provide a second pair of eyes, checks out a flag being flown by the TS Jan Jerwood that has just steamed in to view.....

 from the myriad of resources to hand, the station has just received accreditation for two-way radio comms and an internet linked computer with broadband is expected any day......

 the morning's watch keeper, Douglas Angwin, identifies the small stern trawler Ocean Star making her way to Newlyn.....

 and updates the station's log.

The NCI are always keen to hear from anyone interested in helping support their work in Cornwall or the rewarding position of watchkeeper - more information can be had from the Penzance station's web site.

Other local stations include Gwennap Head at Land's End, Cape Cornwall, St Ives and the very first look out at Bass point on the Lizard.