Support Brixham Coastguard!
On Thursday 10th March at 2.00pm the people of Torbay and South Hams are urged to join forces in a mass demonstration of their support for the retention of the coastguard facility in Brixham. Gathering on the harbour side by the amusement arcade on south Quay at 2pm to march to King’s Quay, outside the Coastguard station, everyone from Torbay and the South Hams is urged to make a stand.
Torbay and Brixham Town Councillor Vic Ellery, who co-ordinated the rally, said:
There has been a massive outpouring of support in the press and a successful campaign by the Herald Express. Orange ribbons have even been made to show support for the campaign. March the 10th will be the time for wearing those ribbons in Brixham and standing behind the campaign. This fight is not about jobs, it’s not about Brixham, it’s not even about fundraising – it’s about lives. Our lives, the people of South Devon and Torbay, who work on, live with and enjoy the coast and the sea. From dog walkers to kite surfers, kayakers to captains, sand castle builders to fishermen, we all rely on the coastguard as an emergency service. We’ve said everything, now we need to show how we really feel about losing this important local lifesaving facility by being in Brixham on the 10th of March.
The crowd will be addressed by several speakers at 2.30pm from the Coastguard station wall. Jim Portus, Chairman South West Fish Producers Federation, a representative for the fishing industry advising government and attending meetings in Brussels, will also be addressing the rally. He said ‘This campaign has the full backing of the Fishermen of the South West and this rally will give me a platform to be able so show just how concerned the fishermen are over this proposed closure’
Chairman of Brixham Town Council Martyn Hodge said ‘Brixham Town Council has made a formal response to the consultation in support of retaining Brixham Coastguard Station and we are supporting this rally. Losing the coastguard with its local and international significance, proven only last week when Falmouth was out of action, would be devastating to our tourism industry, to us and to our fishing and yachting community. I will be addressing the rally on March 10th and hope to see not only all of Brixham turn out to support, but all of Torbay.
It is expected that more than two thousand people will attend the rally as support for retaining the Coastguard station has been widespread including Sarah Wollaston MP for Totnes Constituency, who is unable to attend. Sarah has spoken out against the closure in parliament and on hearing about the rally said “I regret other commitments mean I am not able to attend but I am delighted that the people of Brixham, Torbay and the South Hams have an opportunity to show their support for the campaign to fight the closure of the Coastguard Station”
