The award was presented by Cllr Ted Gale, Chairman of Chichester Harbour Conservancy. Cllr Gale, a Hayling resident, said that the Award had been given in recognition of the important part which the men and women of the Hayling Island Lifeboat Station play in ensuring the safety of those enjoying Chichester Harbour and its approaches. He stated that the Conservancy as a whole appreciated that the crews ‘risked their lives in the cause of saving others’.

Freedom of the Harbour is awarded to either individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the Harbour and its community. The Freedom consists of a Certificate and entitles the organisation to fly the Conservancy’s house flag.

Nigel Roper said, ‘We are thrilled to receive the Freedom of Chichester Harbour, the certificate will have pride of place in our new Lifeboat Station when the extension is finished later this summer’.

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