News from Prawle Point – 2011

For last year's events and incidents click 2011
For 2010 events and incidents click 2010
For 2009 events and incidents click 2009
For 2008 events and incidents click 2008

5.01.12
Prawle Point watchkeepers have been congratulating Honorary President, Jon Gifford on being awarded the OBE for services to maritime safety. Jon began his long and rewarding association with NCI as a volunteer watchkeeper at the Prawle Point Station in 1999 soon after the initial opening. His management and organisational skills together with exceptional abilities in leadership and motivation lead to his rapid rise through local and national levels to become Chairman of NCI in 2002- a full-time occupation undertaken with tireless energy and enthusiasm. At that time, watchkeepers numbered around 700 manning 23 lookout stations but, thanks to Jon’s personal drive and commitment, there are now some 2000 volunteers operating 46 stations in England and Wales. Such an achievement involved many miles of travelling in search of prospective new stations followed by legal negotiations, fund-raising, recruitment and training of personnel all fired by Jon’s passionate belief in the necessity of visual watch along the coast. His wife, Rosemary has been an unfailing support throughout these twelve years. Simultaneously he has devoted much time toward strengthening links with HM Coastguard, the RNLI and the UK Border Agency as well as the National Trust, Councils and landowners of adopted lookout sites.

Prawle Point with the watchstation on the skyline

All this time Jon continues to serve as Chairman on the Prawle Point committee of management but last April he stepped down from the position of National Chairman to become Honorary President of the Charity giving him more time to resume duties as a watchkeeper at his home station of Prawle Point. He has been welcomed back with much affection and pride.