For more news and information please visit our Facebook Page
The Christchurch Living Advent Calendar event on the 18th December was another festive and very enjoyable occasion.
Our immense thanks and gratitude to Christchurch Rotary and particularly to our main sponsor. The Primrose Charity Trust for their support. Also, thanks go to Ye Old George Inn for allowing us to use their pub as a base during the day and their function area for last night’s well attended presentation.
A huge thank you to everyone else who helped make the day, those who donated to our bucket rattling volunteers on Christchurch High Street or bought raffle tickets and calendars and to everyone who came along to support us.
To all our supporters, however you support us, thank you.
Kelvin Medley-Jones from The Primrose Charity Trust, is pictured handing over a cheque for £500 pounds to Peter Holway, Station Manager, for which we are extremely grateful.
To see Christmas cards received from our NCI colleagues across the country, click on the shining star. – No longer available.
NCI Hengistbury Head wishes all our NCI colleagues, emergency services partners, local agencies we work with and our supporters and friends a peaceful, safe and healthy Christmas, and very best wishes for 2024.
Thank you for everything you’ve done that has made it possible for us to continue to assist HMCG in protecting lives at sea and around the coastline.
18th December 2023 – A date for your Christmas diary
Living Advent Calendar returns to Christchurch
with NCI Hengistbury Head once again a chosen charity
Christchurch Living Advent Calendar
At the invitation of Christchurch Rotary Club, NCI Hengistbury Head is once again honoured to be one of the 24 local charities to benefit from the Christchurch Living Advent Calendar (CLAC).
Our day in the CLAC schedule is Monday 18th December
Our venue is Ye Old George Inn, 2A Castle Street, Christchurch
Dorset
BH23 1DT . There will be entertainment! All to be revealed when the doors open at 18:00!
The concept of a Living Advent Calendar was born in Sweden in 2005 and came to the UK, initially in Henley-on-Thames, twelve years ago. You can read all about this event which runs from the 1st to 24th December at https://christchurchlivingadventcalendar.org.uk/
There will be a fabulous raffle with terrific prizes on offer, including one valued at over £250 and two at over £100 each!
Raffle tickets will cost £1 each or £5 a strip.
These can be purchased on the day from our smiling, uniformed, volunteer Watchkeepers at the frontage of the Inn. We will also have some calendars and cards for sale. What’s not to love! We look forward to seeing you all on the day and thank you for your continued support of our Station.
long service awards presented at nci hengistbury head AGM
At our AGM on the evening of Monday 6th November, a dedicated group of our volunteer Watchkeepers received long service awards. The awards were presented by Chris A, one of the NCI trustees, seen below with HHNCI Station Manage Peter H. The recipient receiving his 10 year award was Brian R, 5 year awards were received by Geoff N, Ian C, Graham N, Phil Q, Vince T & Chris B. Congratulation to all, and many thanks for the time and effort you give to HHNCI.
From Sunday 29th October 23 Our Winter Operating Hours are 0800 until 1700 (or end of daylight hours) every day
NCI Hengistbury Head Receives Visit from Coastguard 175
On October 22nd, while on exercise with Mudeford RNLI, Costguard 175 landed next to the Lookout.
One of our Watchkeepers, Bryan S, is seen here standing alongside the the aircraft.
Planning Fun on the beach or on the Water, keep safety in mind!
know the RNLI Beach Flags and warning signs / Read the safety flyer prepared by NCIHH Water Safety Team
now that the beaches are starting to get busier, know the RNLI Beach Flags and warning signs
For more information visit the RNLI Coastal Safety Page
Win an Apple MacBook Air
Be in the draw on 26th August and you could win a fantastic Apple MacBook Air!
With a slim profile and all‑day battery life, anything from working on the go to professional-level video editing and action-packed gaming will be a breeze!
Remember there are weekly Cash Prizes up to the £25,000 Jackpot too!
To be in with a chance of winning and also support our Lookout, click here:- BH Coastal Lottery, see the Current Offer – ‘Win an Apple Macbook Air’. With a slim profile and all‑day battery life, anything from working on the go to professional-level video editing and action-packed gaming will be a breeze – and it comes at the perfect time for the new year of school or university!
Buy your tickets, for your chance to ‘Sony Home Theatre Bundle’.
(Please read the T&Cs – you need to be happy with the publicity that’s going to follow the win.)
BH Coastal Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for good causes in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
A draw takes place every Saturday and a 6 digit winning combination will be picked. Winners are notified via email. Match all 6 and you win the JACKPOT! A top prize of £25,000 is possible.
Become a Friend of Hengistbury Head NCI and support us by purchasing tickets on a regular basis, information with a link to BH Coastal Lottery can be found on our Friends page.
Tickets can also be purchased without becoming a Friend via our Support page.
However you support us, thank you!
Our 2024 Calendar is available now!
We are very excited to be able to tell you that our NCI Hengistbury Head 2024 calendar is now available.
As in previous years, every penny of profit from sales is ploughed back into our Station – enabling us to continue, and improve, our vital service.
Once again a huge thanks go to our camera wielding Watchkeepers who have provided all the photos, to @cobwoodstudio for generously giving his time and expertise to put the calendar together and to PP Printing in Christchurch for doing an amazing job of printing the calendars for us at an amazing price.
Printing & Design
Printing: PP Printing, 31A Bargates, Christchurch – T: 01202 480700
Design: Cobwood Studio. www.cobwood.co.uk
See below for a list of our wonderful stockists
BH6 Books and Home, 69 Southbourne Grove, Southbourne, – T: 01202 418403 — Click for Facebook page.
Bookends, 67 High Street, Christchurch, – T: 01202 479059 — Click for Facebook page.
Captain’s Club, Wick Ferry, Christchurch, – T: 01202 475111 — Click for website.
Castle Cameras, 329 Wimborne Road, Winton – T: 01202 526606 — Click for website.
Christchurch Regent Centre, 51 High Street, Christchurch – T: 01202 499199 — Click for website.
Hengistbury Head Post Office & News, 106 Broadway, Hengistbury Head – T: 01202 424889 — Click for Facebook page
Occasions Cards and Post Office, 348 Lymington Road, Highcliffe – T: 01425 277822 — Click for Facebook page.
PP Printing, 31A Bargates, Christchurch – T: 01202 480700 — Click for Facebook page.
Southbourne General Store, 47 Southbourne Grove, Southbourne, – T: 01202 420141 — Click for website.
The Noisy Lobster Shop, Avon Beach,Chistchurch – T: 01425 272162 — Click for website.
Westbourne Bookshop, 65 Poole Road, Westbourne – T: 01202 768626 — Click for website.
Please show your appreciation of our Station, which is run entirely by volunteers and funded entirely by the generosity of our supporters, and buy our calendar. Thank You.
Blue Light Day – NCI Crosswording Fun
NCI Crosswording Fun – Solutions
Blue Light Day – Sunday 23rd July
NCI HH is going to be on the Green at Mudeford Quay from 10 am as part of RNLI Blue Light Day
Lots of Blue Light organisation for you to meet, some from our search and rescue family including, RNLI (obviously), HM Coastguard, and Air Ambulance.
Please do come along and say hello!
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH, HENGISTBURY HEAD
SEA SUNDAY SERVICE
9th JULY 2023 AT 3PM
If you would like to livestream the service, you may do so by clicking here.
NCI Hengistbury Head will be observing Sea Sunday, as others will be doing throughout the world, with a commemoration service.
The service will commence with the commemoration of Sea Sunday, paying tribute to the two young people, 12 year old Sunnah Khan and 17 year old Joe Abbess, who died in the major incident near Bournemouth Pier on 31st May this year.
This will be led by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell and Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr Anne Filer, lighting a candle to their memory and for all who mourn their passing. This devastating loss, together with the 8 injured in the same incident, affected us all.
Sea Sunday will also commemorate the 5th anniversary of the re-commissioning of the Coast Guard Station by the NCI.
The observance is about bringing together everyone, faith or no faith, to pay respect to all those who work at sea, as well as those who play a role in assisting and supporting the safety of seafarers.
Together with HHNCI Watchkeepers, in attendance will be one of HM Coastguard’s Maritime Operations Leader, Daniel Winter; RNLI Lifeboat Medical Advisor, Lexi Obee-Kendal; Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick; Deputy Chief Constable, ACC Rachel Farrell; Deputy Leader of the BCP Council, Millie Earl and Councillor Andy Martin.
Win a Sony home theatre bundle
Be in the draw on 24th June and you could win this amazing Sony Home Theatre Bundle
Bring the magic of the big screen into your home – watch blockbuster movies, enjoy gaming, or catch the big cup final the way they’re meant to be seen!
Remember there are weekly Cash Prizes up to the £25,000 Jackpot too!
To be in with a chance of winning and also support our Lookout, click here:- BH Coastal Lottery, see the Current Offer – ‘Win A home theatre bundle’. – a 4k 55” smart TV, and a wireless home theatre 5.1 sound system! Bring the magic of the big screen into your home – watch blockbuster movies, enjoy gaming, or catch the big cup final the way they’re meant to be seen! This combo is something you DON’T want to miss out on!
Buy your tickets, for your chance to ‘Sony Home Theatre Bundle’.
(Please read the T&Cs – you need to be happy with the publicity that’s going to follow the win.)
BH Coastal Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for good causes in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
A draw takes place every Saturday and a 6 digit winning combination will be picked. Winners are notified via email. Match all 6 and you win the JACKPOT! A top prize of £25,000 is possible.
Become a Friend of Hengistbury Head NCI and support us by purchasing tickets on a regular basis, information with a link to BH Coastal Lottery can be found on our Friends page.
Tickets can also be purchased without becoming a Friend via our Support page.
However you support us, thank you!
5 year service award presented at HHNCI 5th Anniversary Station Meeting
On 14th June, 2023 we held our 5th Anniversary Station meeting at St Nicholas Church Hall.
29 of our Watch-keepers qualified for their 5 year service award, volunteering in one of the NCI’s busiest Stations.
22 who could attend the meeting were presented with their 5 year service badges by
Dan Winter, HM Coastguard NCI Liaison Officer for the South Coast.
Well done to all those Watch-keepers who received their service badges and a big thank you from the Committee to the Watch-keepers for their dedication over the last 5 interesting years, particularly through the Covid outbreak.
We were very fortunate in that Southbourne CRT (Coastguard Rescue Team) joined us for the evening. They also gave an interesting talk and insight on their role. A big thank you to them.
New Information Boards
We have fitted new Information Boards outside the Lookout. Next time you are passing, take a look.
SOS Radio Week 2023: Raising awareness of the RNLI, Independent lifeboats & the NCI throughout May
SOS Radio Week starts at 00:00 on the 1st May and ends at 23:59 on 31st May every year.
SOS Radio Week is one month of fun, an opportunity for amateur radio operators to celebrate the work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI), members of the National Inshore Lifeboat Association (NILA) and other independent lifeboat and rescue organisations around the coasts of the British Isles (UK, Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man). The aim is to raise awareness for these organisations; near, far and wide.
For More information visit sosradioweek.org.
1st Christchurch (Town) Cub Pack volunteer, designs HHNCI Sticker
If you are passing the Lookout give us a wave and we’ll happily present you with a sticker.
Sophie is seen here being thanked by the NCI Hengistbury Head Station Manager, Peter Holway.
At the Lookout we meet some wonderful people, and this was certainly the case when we hosted the 1st Christchurch (Town) Cub Pack. Luckily for us one of their volunteers, Sophie Haskell, offered to help us design our very own HHNCI Sticker. Sophie who is currently studying for a BA (Hons) Textiles and the Arts degree at Bournemouth University gave her time for free to design our super sticker. Thank you Sophie.
Wishing you a happy Easter 2023
HHNCI Commences Summer Operating Hours - 0800 until 1900 Every Day
Watchkeepers attend buffet reception for volunteers
Station Manager Peter, Deputy Station Manager Ed, The Mayor of Bournemouth Councillor Bob Lawton, PR Officer Caroline, Committee member (Comms) Peter
On 22nd March, a buffet reception for volunteers was held in the Mayor’s Parlour at the BCP Civic Centre. A number of our Watchkeepers were delighted to be invited to join the Mayor of Bournemouth, Councillor Bob Lawton
It was an absolute honour to spend time in the company of so many amazing volunteers from a raft of wonderful organisations, with all of us being recognised by the Mayor for the good work we all do in the local community and further afield.
The invitation was accepted on behalf of every member of our Station at Hengistbury Head
Win a whole YEAR of HelloFresh
Be in the draw on the 25th February and you could win a whole year of HelloFresh
These fantastic boxes deliver fresh high-quality ingredients direct to your door – with everything you need to create delicious dinners from scratch. Don’t miss out – get your tickets today!
Remember there are weekly Cash Prizes up to the £25,000 Jackpot too!
To be in with a chance of winning and also support our Lookout, click here:- BH Coastal Lottery, see the Current Offer – ‘Win A a whole Year of HelloFresh’. Whether you want to save some money on your weekly shop, eat fresh and healthy fare, or just get the family together around the dinner table, we’ve got the perfect prize.
Buy your tickets, for your chance to ‘Win A a whole Year of HelloFresh’.
(Please read the T&Cs – you need to be happy with the publicity that’s going to follow the win.)
BH Coastal Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for good causes in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
A draw takes place every Saturday and a 6 digit winning combination will be picked. Winners are notified via email. Match all 6 and you win the JACKPOT! A top prize of £25,000 is possible.
Become a Friend of Hengistbury Head NCI and support us by purchasing tickets on a regular basis, information with a link to BH Coastal Lottery can be found on our Friends page.
Tickets can also be purchased without becoming a Friend via our Support page.
However you support us, thank you!
Older News items can be found on our news archive page
Radio items featuring NCI Hengistbury Head – 2021
Scala Radio Listeners Hear Brief History of NCI
On the 14th December Mark Forrest, during his Scala Radio programme, interviewed Sue, one of our watchkeepers. Mark was interested to learn about the NCI so Sue, in the time available, gave his listeners a concise history of the charity. She spoke of the tragedy in Cornwall which led to the creation of the NCI in 1994, our role today, and the fact that the 57 stations are manned entirely by our 2600 volunteers.
If you would like to hear the interview, you can listen by pressing play.
Copyright © Bauer Media Group
Our Station Manager Interviewed on Radio Solent
On the 07 December, as storm Barra was moving in, Steve Harris, during his Breakfast show on Radio Solent, interviewed our Station Manager Peter Holway. Peter was on duty in the Lookout and Steve asked how things were looking from the top of Hengistbury Head.
If you would like to hear the interview, you can listen by pressing play.
Copyright © 2021 BBC.
Television News items featuring NCI Hengistbury Head – 2019
This item by Meridian News was aired on 15th August 2019. This excerpt from the piece relates to HHNCI Lookout.
If you would like to watch the entire Meridian News item it can be viewed on our Facebook Page.
(c) ITV Meridian MMXIX
This report was Broadcast on BBC South Today, on 4th December 2019
A full version of the broadcast can be seen on our Facebook page.
(c) BBC MMXIX