A special event saw coastguard teams join together in Falmouth to mark 200 years of keeping people safe at the coast.

It was part of the bi-centenary celebrations for Her Majesty's Coastguard, recognising the unique contribution that each area of the UK has made to the service.

Falmouth Rugby Club hosted the event on Tuesday (15th) which celebrated all those who have worked and volunteered for HM Coastguard during that 200 year history.

Volunteers from 36 Coastguard Rescue Teams in Devon and Cornwall were invited to enjoy a traditional Cornish Cream tea alongside colleagues based at the rugby club, personnel who have retired from the service and representatives from the RNLI, Devon and Cornwall Police, and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.

HM Coastguard controller at Falmouth MRCC James Instance told Nub News:

"It is very special. I spoke to a colleague of mine that left the organisation 29 years ago. What we have managed to do is meet old colleagues, celebrate the organisation with colleagues, celebrate what the organisation has done, and then look forward at the same way."

Awards were handed out at the event, alongside a chance for colleagues to introduce themselves to each other, and old friends to catch up.

A special souvenir magazine was also handed out celebrating 200 years of HM Coastguard, past, present, and future.

Dartmouth Station Officer Keith Langworthy has been with the coastguard for 29 years, reflecting on the day he added:

"It has been a good day. There has been a chance to meet the higher rank people you don't always see. Usually, you see a lot of these people over video chat, it has been nice to catch up properly and share stories.

"There have been a lot of changes in 29 years especially tech-wise. You meet lots of different people nowadays, back in the day where I came from it was all people from the local village. The diversity has changed and that has only been good for the service."

See more from the coastguard here.

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