18 July 2023 HRH The Princess Royal, as Royal Patron of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) visited the NCI Folkestone station on the East Cliff, with views of up to 21 miles across the English Channel and over the harbour.

The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence were received at the Copt Point station on Wear Bay Road by His Majesty’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, Brigadier Trevor Minter, who presented the NCI Chairman Mr Stephen Hand and Folkestone Station Manager, Mr Rob Wilsher.

Mr Wilsher presented volunteer watchkeeper David Fagg and escorted Her Royal Highness into the station’s training room. Training Manager David Archer was presented along with four trainee watchkeepers and he explained about the extensive training required to qualify.

The tour continued with a visit to the lookout on the bridge area where Mr Wilsher presented the two watchkeepers on duty Dr Lynsay Scott and Mr Roger Blackman. Her Royal Highness was briefed on the history of the station which was the first National Coastwatch station in Kent. Since 2007, it has occupied the former Copt Point Battery Observation Post, part of Folkestone’s coastal defences during the second world war.  
From its commanding position, the National Coastwatch volunteer watchkeepers maintain a daily visual and radio watch of the Folkestone Harbour entrance as well as out to sea, reporting any coastal safety-related incidents to HM Coastguard. NCI Folkestone also holds what’s often described as the MBE for volunteer groups, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, awarded in 2011.
After visiting the station, The Princess Royal then attended a reception for NCI watchkeepers and guests at the Folkestone Yacht and Motorboat Club.  She was received by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant before meeting NCI volunteer watchkeepers, NCI Trustees and its Chief Executive Officer as well as representatives of other organisations. These included Folkestone and Hythe District Council, Mayor of Folkestone and representatives from the Folkestone Yacht and Motorboat Club.
 
Stephen Hand, NCI chair, said: “We are incredibly proud and deeply grateful for the patronage of HRH The Princess Royal and she devotes much time to our cause. We’re honoured that this is her fourth visit to one of our stations this year, it really gives all our volunteers as well as our communities and supporters great encouragement.”
 
Her Royal Highness unveiled two plaques to commemorate the visit. One will be displayed at the National Coastwatch Folkestone station and the other marks the 50th anniversary of the Folkestone Yacht and Motorboat Club.