IT HAS only taken 14 years for the National Coastwatch Institution station at Boscastle to acheive nearly 200 years of experience.

That’s because the June meeting saw more long service awards being awarded than ever before.

Three members, John Davis, Pat Stanton-Nadin and Pat Day, all founder Watchkeeping members, received badges to celebrate the 15 years they have been involved with the Lookout. Phil Brown was recognised for ten years of service while Barbara Raby, Bob Ginger, Nick Bromwich and Jan Spencer have each served for five years.

Altogether there are now 16 volunteers with at least five years of service, seven with at least ten years and now three with 15 years behind them.

A spokesperson from Boscastle NCI said: “It’s a pretty good record for a station that only opened in 2003 and has kept watch ever since, even through a lightning strike.”