National Coastwatch - Eyes Along the Coast

National Coastwatch - Eyes Along the Coast

Discover the work of National Coastwatch and its mission to help save lives at sea and around the UK coastline

By Plymouth Athenaeum

Date and time

Tue, 3 Jun 2025 12:30 - 13:30 GMT+1

Location

Plymouth Athenaeum

Derrys Cross Plymouth PL1 2SW United Kingdom

About this event

  • Event lasts 1 hour

Join us as we discover more about the work of National Coastwatch and its mission is to help save lives at sea and around the UK coastline.

National Coastwatch is a charity staffed and managed by volunteers whose mission is to help save lives at sea and around the UK coastline. If you, a family member or friend uses the coastal waters or the shoreline – maybe canoeing, fishing, boating or even walking on our beautiful but sometimes treacherous coastline – we are watching and keeping you safe.

National Coastwatch is a critical part of UK Search and Rescue. It works alongside His Majesty’s Coastguard, the RNLI and the ‘blue-light’ emergency services to assist in the protection and saving of life at sea and along the coastline of England and Wales.

The talk will be given Andy Curtis and Ralph Whitworth from National Coastwatch.


Tags

Organised by

Plymouth Athenaeum

The Plymouth Athenaeum, located in Plymouth, England, is a charitable society dedicated to the promotion of learning in the fields of science, technology, literature and art.

The Athenaeum building, located at Derry's Cross in Plymouth City Centre, includes a 340-seat auditorium, lecture room, lounge, meeting rooms and a local interest library.

Founded on 17 October 1812 as the Plymouth Institute, it was soon renamed the Plymouth Institution. The first meetings took place in Catherine Street and later Frankfort Street Art Gallery.

Architect and founding member of the Institution John Foulston (1772 – 30 December 1841), who had won a competition to design the Royal Hotel and Theatre group of buildings, designed the building that would become the permanent home of the organisation. The foundation stone of 'The Athenaeum', which had a Greek Doric-style facade, was laid on 1 May 1818.

The Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society, formed in 1838, amalgamated with the Plymouth Institution in 1851. The Mechanics' Institute in Princes Street closed in 1899 and a merger with the Plymouth Institution took place.

Foulston's original 'Athenaeum' was destroyed during the Blitz in 1941, resulting in the loss of the Insititution's library, art and museum collections.

The Institution was renamed The Plymouth Athenaeum when it moved into its present building on 1 June 1961, which is located on almost the exact location of its pre-Blitz home.