7th June 2016. NCI Shoreham hosted their first Open Day on 5th June to coincide with Shoreham Fort’s Military History Day. Visitors had the opportunity to look around the inside of the watch station to learn what National Coastwatch does and watch keepers were on hand to explain how visual surveillance stations work and the importance of the NCI. A film about the history and role of the lookout station was also shown in the training room.

NCI Shoreham also ran a grand draw in aid of its New Radar Appeal. The draw took place at the lookout station, and was drawn by the staff of Shoreham Santander bank. The first prize was donated by Bailiffscourt hotel in Climping and was a dinner for two including a bottle of wine with the meal and chauffeured transport to and from the restaurant. The second prize was a helicopter trip for two by Heliflight from Shoreham airport over to Brighton’s West Pier while the third prize was a champagne evening trip for two in the British Airways i360 tower.

Laurie Hays, Shoreham Deputy Station Manager, said the open day and the draw had proved to be very successful, and the interest in the role of the NCI had been excellent. Since the draw, Laurie confirmed that he had received a further donation of £1,500 for the appeal from the Sussex Community Foundation.

The New Radar Appeal will continue on until 31st August, and it is hoped that the total costs of the new radar system could be raised by then.

The photograph shows Laurie Hays and Jim King of NCI Shoreham with Clare Watson and Nicola Burroughs of Santander Bank. Photograph is courtesy of the Shoreham Herald.