News from Prawle Point – 2010

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19.02.10 – Prawle Point Lookout Receives Lottery Funding

Visitors to the National Coastwatch (NCI) Station at Prawle Point will be able to learn about the outstanding natural, cultural and historical heritage of the beautiful South Devon coastline thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), it was announced today. The award of £16,600 will allow the existing visitor centre to be completely refurbished with professionally designed displays, an observation window and radar and weather monitoring equipment.

The NCI Station at Prawle Point occupies a dramatic cliff top location on Devon's southernmost point. Built around 150 years ago as a Coastguard Signal Station, the Lookout is now manned 365 days a year by volunteer watchkeepers who look out for the safety of people at sea and along the coast. The Visitor Centre, adjacent to the Lookout, is a popular attraction for coastal walkers but is currently in a poor state of repair. With the aid of the generous HLF grant, the NCI will create a first class information centre for visitors and a valuable learning resource for schools and youth groups.

Through the new observation window to be inserted on the seaward side of the building visitors will be able to view shipping and wildlife from a telescope to be provided by the Friends of Prawle Point. A radar monitor will also be installed to provide information on passing ships and a weather station will display current weather data.

A large number of local organisations have agreed to assist by providing ideas and material for the displays to help raise awareness of the heritage of the area and the need to conserve it. They include the National Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon Birdwatchers, South Devon AONB, Brixham Seawatch, Salcombe Lifeboat, Start Point Lighthouse, SW Maritime Archaeological Group, SW Coast Path Association, Slapton Ley Field Studies Centre, and Salcombe Maritime Museum. In addition, a number of local schools have expressed support for the project and are proposing to take part in a programme of

Prawle Point with the watchstation on the skyline

educational visits and guided walks. Chivelstone Parish Council is also backing the scheme.

Commenting on the award, Prawle Point Station Manager, Roger Barrett, said: ‘We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled this work to take place. Although the safety of coast users is our top priority, we are always keen to welcome visitors to show them what we do and provide them with information about this magnificent section of coast. The re-vamped centre is sure to be a very popular attraction and a great learning resource for schools and youth groups’ HLF’s Head of Region for the South West, Nerys Watts, said: ‘We are particularly pleased to be able to support this project at Prawle Point which focuses so closely on the rich natural and maritime heritage that the South West region has in such abundance. The newly refurbished visitor centre will provide local people and visitors alike with a wonderful opportunity to understand the environment of this spectacular coastline and to ensure that it can be conserved for future generations to enjoy.