A group of dedicated volunteers have been rewarded for their hard work along the Mundesley coastline after raking up a total of 130 years of service for a voluntary organisation.
Twelve members from the National Coastwatch Institution's (NCI) Mundesley Station received certificates today for their long-service, at a presentation event in the village's Haig Club on Cromer Road.
From saving a muntjac deer from drowning, to assisting stranded children on a sandbank, the group, made-up of almost 50 volunteers, have been directly involved with 26 of the hundreds of incidents reported since 1995.
Volunteer watchkeeper and founding member Richard May, said: 'I couldn't think of a better group of people, both past and present, with whom to have tried to run a volunteer-manned coastal lookout.
'It's just an incredible achievement by all of them.'
The 80-year-old building opens its lookout room every day for 10 hours. Owned by the North Norfolk District Council and leased by Mundseley parish council, the 'Coastwatch Mundsley' group uses the first floor of the building for the purpose of which it was originally built.
Mr May added: 'Our aim is simply to provide a watchful pair of eyes where there would otherwise by none and to perhaps offer a gesture of defiance to the clock of technology.'
Mr May was also one of the 12 volunteers to receive a long-service award, and joined six others receiving their certificate for fifteen years of service. The other members were Arthur Adcock, Mari Chalk, Brian Donoghue, Geoff Griston, John Stenson and Terry Webster. Five-year service awards also went to Adrian Frais, Derek Evans, Pauline Brett, Stan Osler and Tony Collins.
Volunteer watchkeeper Ms Chalk said: 'We've all come from the most different backgrounds you can imagine. Both men and women from the armed services, doctors and nurses - we've even got a couple of housewives.
'I feel privilege to be part of this group and to be acknowledge with the others for our long service.'
Mr May added: 'I appreciate the work and energy and enthusiasm of all of our volunteer watchkeepers, for I am aware that they are quite an exceptional group of men and women.'
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