Thursday, January 18, 2007

AWARDS FOR COASTGUARD 'BACKBONE'


Stalwart members of the Portreath coastguard team were handed special
awards to mark their long and loyal service.Graham May, aged 56, and
Mike Prowton, 62, were feted at a presentation ceremony at the
Portreath Arms Hotel.







Their boss, Mark Roberts, said both men had dedicated many years of their
lives to rescuing those who found themselves in danger along the
coastline.



"These two have been the backbone of the team," said
Mr Roberts, who heads the Portreath coastguard volunteers. "It's the
likes of them who turn out day and night in all weathers."




Mr May, who received a 20-year long-service award, said he had relished
the challenges he had faced over the past two decades. "Because I was
involved in surf lifesaving, this was another avenue of rescue and I
was delighted to have been asked to become a member of the team," he
said.






Mr May, who lives in the village, said he and his
colleagues had been inspired by the leadership skills of Mark Roberts
and his father, Alan, who was awarded the MBE for his coastguard role.



He
added: "We've always found a way of getting round any problem that we
might encounter in a rescue - and getting round it safely.



"Everything we do, we do as a team. We train as a team and we work as a team."




Mr Prowton, who earlier stepped down from the cliff rescue team, was given
a special award to recognise his 23 years of service to the coastguards.



He signed up as a volunteer while running a fish and chip shop in his home village of Portreath.



"We all get on very well and it is the camaraderie between the team that has probably been the highlight for me," he said.



"I had previously been awarded my 20-year service award and I wasn't expecting this at all.



"When I received the award, it was a mixture of shock, surprise and pleasure."



Mr
May and Mr Prowton paid tribute to the close working relationship the
Portreath coastguard team had forged with agencies including police,
the fire and ambulance services and 771 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose,
Helston.








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