14 August 2013  NCI Gosport achieved a welcome boost to their visual surveillance capability recently after substantial funding had been received from a number of local sources.

Following an appeal for help towards the cost of replacing their aging long range binoculars, Eastleigh based EMCOR UK responded with a very generous sponsorship of £500 after employee Gareth Owen, a volunteer watchkeeper atGosport, happened to mention the appeal to his boss, Steve Dolan. The money has been added to a further grant of £400 provided by the Community Chest Charity Fund that is administered by BBCRadio Solent and this has allowed the Station to purchase a set of brand new Cyclops long range spotting optics.

This new equipment was formally handed over to the station in mid-July when Steve Dolan visited the lookout to make the  presentation to Station Manager Richard McMinn and his Executive Committee (Pictured).

Thanks to the unstinting support of the local community, further funds have been raised throughout the summer and these were added to a very generous donation by the family of Gosport watchkeeper, the late Brian Huppler who sadly passed away in April, to purchase an additional pair of high powered Miyauchi binoculars to compliment the Cyclops. These have now been dedicated as a memorial to Brian.

David Russell
NCI Gosport