6 August 2012 HRH The Princess Royal has today presented the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) stations in Dorset. The QAVS is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. Commenting on the award, the Princess Royal said: “I hope you realise that your work is noticed and appreciated. This award is a ‘thank you’ for that work”.

The four NCI stations in Dorset comprising lookouts at Peveril Point at Swanage, St Alban's Head on the southernmost point of the Isle of Purbeck, Portland Bill, and Lyme Bay at Burton Bradstock. They are manned by a total of over two hundred volunteer watchkeepers who clock up in excess of 10,000 hours of visual surveillance during the year. The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, also opened the newly constructed Training Centre built adjacent to the Portland Bill lookout.

Commenting on the award, Alan Richards, Chairman of NCI, said: “No fewer than 20 of our stations around the coast now hold the Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service and, in this Diamond Jubilee Year, we are highly honoured that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was able to visit Portland Bill today and present this thoroughly well earned and prestigious award to our stations in Dorset.”

Pictured from left to right are John Masters, Station Manager NCI Peveril Point, Clive Edwards, Station Manager NCI Lyme Bay, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Geoff Peters, Station Manager Portland Bill and Simon Edwards from St Albans Head