Coastguard merits honour from Queen

Stephen, from the Rye Bay team, and colleagues Ken Foord and Bob Kenward, have played a key role in 1066 Country as part of HM Coastguards.

At a special ceremony earlier this week, all three were presented with long service awards.

Mr Moon was honoured with a 30 year service award for his efforts.

Mr Foord was stepping down after 28 years as a Coastguard rescue officer with the Hastings team and was given a valedictory certificate by Adrian Bates, coastal safety manager, at the presentation at the New Beach Club at Pett Level.

Fellow Hastings volunteer Bob Kenward was also singled out for praise. The deputy station officer was given his 30 year award.

The awards were made on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and have been presented under royal warrant since 1954.

The volunteers are given long service awards only provided they have given exemplary service and have been of good character.

Speaking after the event, Mr Bates said: “We must not undervalue the support the wives, husbands and families of our volunteer coastguards give.

“The service given to the community would be much harder to provide if the families did not support our volunteers.”

Mr Kenward plans to retire in 2013 when he reaches 65, but Mr Moon has no such plans and is on course to be the first volunteer coastguard in East Sussex to reach 50 years of service.

Stephen Moon and Bob Kenward are pictued above with Adrian Bates.