30th May 2022. The Watchkeepers at the National Coastwatch Institution station at Portland Bill are grateful to a loyal band of local supporters who continue to come up with new and innovative ideas to raise money for the Lookout. They have held garden parties and taken their clothes off to pose for calendars, but their latest fundraising idea was certainly a challenge!

Five very plucky, hardy, cold-water swimmers decided to walk around the island, stopping off for a swim at every beach. Sharon, Alex, Sara, Lorraine & Shaun (AKA The Mermaid) completed the challenge on Sunday 15th May, enduring heavy rain, thunder and lightning. They started bright and early with a swim at Billy Winters before working their way around the island. In the afternoon they arrived at the National Coastwatch lookout to be greeted by Station Manager Geoff Peters and duty Watchkeepers, Len Heath and Norma Ford. After a photo shoot and a welcome celebratory glass of Bucks Fizz they set off again to complete their challenge with a final swim (and another glass of bubbly) at Chiswell. Geoff Peters said “I think the thought of soaking in warm bubble baths when they returned home was the thing that gave them all the final push to finish what was certainly a very challenging day!”

All five intrepid walkers/swimmers returned (fully clothed) on 30th May to present NCI Portland Bill with the stunning amount of £1,450 Geoff then presented the Nippy Dippers with certificates and a silver salver to commemorate their achievement.

The photograph shows (L to R) Ron Brooks (Snr Watchkeeper), Sharon, Shaun, Geoff Peters (Station Manager), Sara, Lorraine, Alex and Jeff Chandler (Snr Watchkeeper).