9th November 2021. The volunteer watchkeepers from NCI Froward Point recently picked up a generous donation of £2000 over lunch.
The National Coastwatch Institution station, based at the Kingswear headland, was gifted the money from the Two-Mile Oak Inn, who regularly donate to the charity. A group of watchkeepers and friends of Froward Point NCI attended a lunch time gathering at the pub restaurant near Newton Abbot. Sampling the excellent cuisine only added to the highlight of Station Manager Glyn Watkin receiving a very generous presentation of £2000 from Debbie Beechy, the landlady of the Two-Mile Oak.
A spokesperson for the NCI said: “After a long-enforced pandemic related absence, it was a delight to be able to return to this popular venue for our regular luncheon. Debbie first started fundraising for Froward Point NCI Station in 2013 and this donation represents her enormously appreciated efforts since 2019. Despite the pandemic, a Christmas draw, collection pots, together with book and DVD sales raised almost £2000, which was then rounded up by Debbie herself.”
The National Coastwatch Institution is a voluntary service looking out for the safety of sailors and walkers along the coastline during daylight hours. Over 60 trained and qualified volunteer watchkeepers share daylight watches operating every day of the year. Watchkeepers observe activity throughout the sea area within the wide view of the watch station.
The NCI spokesperson added “The station is equipped with telescopes, radar, radio, telephone and weather instrumentation as well as up to date charts. Through close cooperation with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA), NCI Froward Point earned Declared Facility Status in 2007, enabling us to become an integral part of the National Search and Rescue structure. Each year since then we have been tested and found to be more than adequate to continue in this role”.
The photograph (courtesy of the Dartmouth Chronicle) shows Debbie Beechy presenting the cheque to Station Manager Glyn Watkin and some of the NCI Froward Point team.