7 July 2011 - Members of NCI Folkestone recently attended the annual Blessing of the Fisheries. Assembling at its adoptive church of St Peter on the East Cliff, just across the harbour from the lookout at Copt Point, members joined parishioners and local dignitaries including the mayor and councillors, before processing down the steep hill to the harbour.

Led by Bishop Richard Llewellin (pictured talking to station manager Tony Hutt and Graham Pay), a short service was held during which the fish, fishermen and allied trades, services and protectors received Bishop Richard’s blessing. He was formerly a canon at Truro Cathedral and lived near Bass Point when NCI was formed and so had an interesting chat with Tony Hutt and his members from a position of strong support. 

During his address Bishop Richard mentioned that he was a sailor and had once been caught out by a sudden gust whilst out in a dinghy with a friend and capsized. After 25 minutes of attempting unsuccessfully to right the boat, they were pretty cold and exhausted and no doubt fairly despondent. Suddenly a voice called out “Do you need some help?” and a lady who had been watching their struggle through binoculars from the shore arrived in a motor boat, got them on board and towed the dinghy back to harbour. In all the relief and expressions of gratitude, the bishop neglected to obtain the lady’s name which he regrets to this day. We would like to think that she is now an NCI member continuing with her life-saving prowess!

Also pictured are some of the group from NCI Folkestone walking down the hill, from L-R Tony Hutt, Graham Pay, Mavis Taylor and Bernadette Pay with the St John Ambulance rep behind.