By Karen Cox
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the National Coastwatch Institution, a specially commissioned flag is being relayed over a 2,000 mile journey, visiting all 60 of the institutes stations.
Setting off from the NCI Fleetwood station in Lancashire on 3rd June, the flag has travelled anti-clockwise around the country and will finish its journey in Filey, North Yorkshire in September.
The idea is to transport the flag using different means of transport possible, including boats, ferries, tractors, trailers, horse and cart, classic cars, as well as walking and running. It has also been carried on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch train.
Today (August 1), the flag arrived into Ramsgate RNLI station by sea at 3.30pm transported by the Mayor of Folkestone Cllr. Abena Akuffo-Kelly on the Wetwheels Foundation boat along with NCI Mike Parry representing Folkestone NCI, and guests.
They were met by the Mayor of Ramsgate Cllr Pat Moore with her Deputy Mayor Laurie Hudson. In attendance were members of both Ramsgate and Thanet councils, representative for the Coastguard, Matthew Kenney, Ramsgate Harbour Master, members of Ramsgate NCI Team including Paul Waterman, the Station Manager of NCI Ramsgate, as well as the Coxswain of Ramsgate RNLI, Ian Cannon and members of Ramsgate’s volunteer RNLI crew.
On arrival the flag was handed over to the Mayor of Ramsgate and then raised up the RNLI station flagpole.
The opportunity was also taken to present Paul Waterman NCI with his five years service certificate. The presentation was done by David Taylor, NCI Sector Manager for this area which stretches from Shoreham round to Whitstable.
The flag will continue its journey on Friday morning at 7am by boat round to Whitstable NCI onboard Yacht Lunar Sea, owned by NCI volunteer Josh Lidstone supported by fellow NCI volunteers John Patterson, Ian Clarke and John Miller who also volunteers at the RNLI shop in Ramsgate.
When the flag relay has been completed, the flag will be taken to Trinity House in London for a special commemorative event at the end of September, where it will be installed for the rest of the commemorative year.
More information and the means to track the flag can be found at https://www.nci.org.uk/2024/06/03/nci-flies-the-flag-for-30thanniversary-celebrations/