When our Head Office in London decided to mark the 30th Anniversary of the formation of National Coastwatch (NCI), I suspect they thought it would be a daunting task! “How do we coordinate a joint venture between all 60 current stations in an event they can all share in?”
Each station from Fleetwood around to Filey may be under the same corporate charity banner; may comply wholeheartedly with everything NCI stands for; and will perform their duties to the highest standard expected of them; yet each station is a highly unique entity which treasures its independence.
The resulting brainwave speaks for itself. “We’ll design a special 30th Anniversary flag which each station will fly for 24 hours before passing it on to the next station along the coastline. Each station will have to work with etheir two neighbours, and each will celebrate how they do it…in their own way.”
It became a project we could all get behind. All stations have been involved, and each has received and passed on the flag how they saw fit. This is our story of the Portscatho NCI contribution to the events.
The first stumbling block came when our HQ decided to change the original date of the event from the end of summer to the beginning. This meant that our Station Manager, Peter Evans, and our Station Secretary, Liz Fox, would not be able to participate. Our day to receive the flag was declared to be the 4th of July and we would hand it over on the 5th to Charlestown NCI.
A small team of volunteers agreed to organise and co-ordinate the whole event on behalf of the unit. Ably led by our own Ray Lomas, and supported fully by Mary and The Harbour Club, we had our first meeting on an evening in May in their bar. Ray led from the front and organised the meeting in his own way. It was with much satisfaction that by the time of our monthly meeting at the beginning of June, we were able to give a good report to our colleagues and let them know what our plans were, and how far we had got with them.
This now is where I would like to say something about the community we live in. In our team, we are prouder than you could imagine by the support given to us by the people of the Roseland (and Portscatho in particular). Whether living here, or on holiday here, the community has always hugely supported our work. It really is something we are proud of but would never take for granted. The support shown for our event will always stand as proof of that.
After much work and planning on all sides we were finally set for our event. The day came closer and finally the morning of July 4th dawned. If any of you have served in the military there is a phrase they use when planning any engagement or battle that is to take place. It’s very simple… “No plan ever stays the same after first contact with the enemy!” This is just as true for NCI, and on this occasion, our enemy the weather. A strong South Westerly wind coupled with a gloomy cloud filled sky was not the summer day we wanted. Undaunted, and with grateful thanks to the Harbour Master and friends, we erected our gazebo up, the PA system was set up, bunting was all around us, and our own volunteer team standing by to give away freebies, sell a few things, and simply chat to people.
We also had a good turnout from our Coastguard Rescue Team colleagues; all local like us and proud volunteers as well. There is a good rapport between both services, we work well together.
There is no denying that, even when the weather is not at its best, folk will come out to see us. They did not let us down and turned up for the event. It was lovely to see. The highlight of our time there, apart from the flag arriving, was seeing a very appreciative audience being entertained by Du Hag Owr in their own inimitable and humorous style as we awaited the arrival of the flag. There is something very special by hearing sea shanties being sung outdoors and while overlooking the sea. It brings a poignancy to any event. A song, written by an original member of the group about the sinking of the Hera, was sung with as much dignity as a hymn in a church or chapel. Simply beautiful. They finished with the Harry Glasson classic “Cornwall my Home”, and it was wonderful to hear the rest of us joining in. As if by magic at this point, the flag with the team from Nare Point turned up, and the handing over ceremony took place.
Sadly, due to the weather, the sailing yacht Ballyhoo from NCI Nare Point had only managed to get as far as St Mawes harbour and the flag reached Portscatho by car. The flag was handed to our Deputy Station Manager, Roger Sprigge by Don Garman, the Nare Point Station Manager. It was a proud moment and our first view of the flag. Speeches and ceremonies over, we packed all away and moved on to the next stage of the proceedings.
We are very fortunate to have discovered a real expert on the sinking of the Hera. His name is Kevin Patience and in 1970 was one of the divers who rediscovered the wreck and marked her last resting place. She lies approximately 50 feet down just off Gull Rock, Nare Head and Dodman Point.
His interest over the years has resulted in a fascinating talk with slides and memorabilia of the Hera, plus a very interesting book. He graciously gave of his time and came to the Harbour Club that evening and gave us the talk. I was enraptured as were the rest of the audience who managed to attend.
Once this was over, we cleared the decks and set the room up for a meal being supplied by the Plume of Feathers. Top marks as ever, to the Plume who prepared and cooked our food before conveying it down to the Harbour Club; it was delicious.
Meal over, drinks replenished, we then all settled down for an evening’s entertainment from that ever-popular duo, Barfly. It was a magical and wonderful way to finish off the day’s events.
I cannot say to many times how blessed we are with the local support. Without the Harbour Master, the Plume of Feathers, Kevin Patience of the Hera, The Harbour Club, and others, the event would never have gone so well. Thank you one and all.
I would love to say that the following day the dawn revealed a cloudless sky with sunshine beating down on us all. Sadly, this was not the case and the weather closed in completely. It was gloomy and cloudy once again with occasional sea fog. Interspersed with this was rain. The rain seemed to go from mizzle to downpour, and back again. Thankfully there were enough dry times for photo opportunities and for passengers and crew to enjoy the day.
Safety is always our watchword, so we scaled down our departure from Portscatho. Just the Falmouth Sail Training Ship, The Hardiesse, sailed from the harbour with our flag and seven passengers on board. She was accompanied by the Falmouth All Weather Lifeboat who accompanied her as far as Gull Rock.
Both vessels paused for a simple ceremony which included the laying of a wreath over the wreck site. This ceremony was officiated by the Reverend Andy Earl from the Bishop of Truro’s office, and Roger Sprigge laid the wreath.
From here the Lifeboat returned to Falmouth and The Hardiesse continued on her way to Charlestown. Thanks to the timing the tide was at optimum position, so the Hardiesse was able to sail into the Outer Harbour for the handover. Roger was met by the Station Manager from Charlestown and the handover took place. We could now stand down with heads held high.
The flag is on a long journey and is approximately halfway around to its destination. Like all the other stations we only had it for 24 hours. I have to say that we thoroughly enjoyed our time with it. Each station has been able to receive and pass the flag on in their own style, and each station now feels that connection with all those other stations in NCI. There is something about a flag that unites people; I am proud to be part of that.
On Sunday 14th of July, we will be holding a Sea Sunday Service at Gerrans Church at 10.00 am. Our own Kevin Pratt will be leading the service, and the Archdeacon will be preaching. Very kindly, the collection will be for Portscatho NCI. We will all be there in uniform and hope to see some of you there.
My thanks to David Coldwell for the photographs, and to Bernice Lomas for making such a beautiful wreath. Once again, as a unit, we give our grateful thanks to all of you who supported us over the event, and continue to support us.
Liam Mulvin