A couple of weeks later it was back to the capital. This time it was for the handover of the Save Milford Haven Coastguard petition at Number 10 Downing Street. I was lucky enough to be the photographer covering the event with five representatives of the campaign group, including round-the-world adventurer Rosie Swale Pope.
For picture purposes I really could have done without the thunderstorm overhead, but in truth it added to the memories of a great day when we got to stand in front of the most famous door in the world. Among the highlights of the trip were: Being told our names weren't on the list when we arrived at Downing Street (soon rectified); what must have been the loudest knock Number 10 has ever heard when petition organiser Mair Williams climbed the steps; and Rosie calling me 'rugged' , adding I could 'survive Siberia and beyond'.
The Pembrokeshire group delivered the 20,000-signature petition to save Milford Haven Coastguard Station and they also presented a national petition of more than 15,000 signatures.
Mair Williams has been the driving force behind the Milford Haven petition. Originally from Anglesey, she has lived in Milford Haven for ten years.
With the help of her husband David, she has been out collecting signatures to help save Milford’s coastguard station.
She said: “I got involved because it meant something to me. I’ve lived around the coast all my life and my family are fishermen. When I heard the proposals I thought ‘no you can’t do this, I’ve got to do something’.
“I’ve never done anything like this before, but my husband said he’d help. We didn’t even know how to set up a petition, so we started with trying to get 500 signatures and we’ve ended up with 20,000 which is wonderful.”
David added: “To be representing such a wealth of opinion gives me a real sense of pride. We felt we had to make a stand. We’re amazed and grateful to everyone for their support.”
Adventurer and sailor Rosie Swale Pope said: “I’m very privileged to go to Downing Street with Mair and the group.
“I sailed across the Atlantic in 1983. I sailed for 70 days from Pembroke Dock to New York harbour. One of the last voices I heard as I set sail was the Pembrokeshire coastguard.
“These people do such a great job for sailors, tourism, businesses and wildlife. We live in a fragile world and so many people rely on the coastguard and it takes years to build up such a team. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
The group was met at Downing Street by MP Maria Eagle, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.
She praised the campaigners for highlighting the concerns and worries of so many people.
The MP for Garston and Halewood, in Liverpool, said: “I live on the coast and know how important the coastguards are. It is a personal and constituency interest, as well as representing the view of the Shadow Cabinet."
Group spokesman Dennis O’Connor added: “I’m delighted - the fact we’ve handed in a 20,000-signature petition from the people of west Wales is phenomenal.
“It is important to us that the voices of the people of Pembrokeshire are heard.
“We’ve given the Prime Minister a message and it’s one he can’t ignore.”
And it seems it was a message David Cameron couldn't ignore, because on Thursday Milford Haven Coastguard Station won a dramatic reprieve from the Government.
Speaking in Parliament, Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond said Milford Haven would now remain open as a 24-hour facility.
Holyhead Coastguard Station also won a reprieve.
But Swansea, which had originally been due to stay open, will now be closed.
A new period of consultation on the changes to the original plan has also been announced.
In light of the latest announcements a new national petition has been set-up. For more information click here: http://t.co/aSNUSFz
For picture purposes I really could have done without the thunderstorm overhead, but in truth it added to the memories of a great day when we got to stand in front of the most famous door in the world. Among the highlights of the trip were: Being told our names weren't on the list when we arrived at Downing Street (soon rectified); what must have been the loudest knock Number 10 has ever heard when petition organiser Mair Williams climbed the steps; and Rosie calling me 'rugged' , adding I could 'survive Siberia and beyond'.
The Pembrokeshire group delivered the 20,000-signature petition to save Milford Haven Coastguard Station and they also presented a national petition of more than 15,000 signatures.
Mair Williams has been the driving force behind the Milford Haven petition. Originally from Anglesey, she has lived in Milford Haven for ten years.
With the help of her husband David, she has been out collecting signatures to help save Milford’s coastguard station.
She said: “I got involved because it meant something to me. I’ve lived around the coast all my life and my family are fishermen. When I heard the proposals I thought ‘no you can’t do this, I’ve got to do something’.
“I’ve never done anything like this before, but my husband said he’d help. We didn’t even know how to set up a petition, so we started with trying to get 500 signatures and we’ve ended up with 20,000 which is wonderful.”
David added: “To be representing such a wealth of opinion gives me a real sense of pride. We felt we had to make a stand. We’re amazed and grateful to everyone for their support.”
Adventurer and sailor Rosie Swale Pope said: “I’m very privileged to go to Downing Street with Mair and the group.
“I sailed across the Atlantic in 1983. I sailed for 70 days from Pembroke Dock to New York harbour. One of the last voices I heard as I set sail was the Pembrokeshire coastguard.
“These people do such a great job for sailors, tourism, businesses and wildlife. We live in a fragile world and so many people rely on the coastguard and it takes years to build up such a team. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
The group was met at Downing Street by MP Maria Eagle, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.
She praised the campaigners for highlighting the concerns and worries of so many people.
The MP for Garston and Halewood, in Liverpool, said: “I live on the coast and know how important the coastguards are. It is a personal and constituency interest, as well as representing the view of the Shadow Cabinet."
Group spokesman Dennis O’Connor added: “I’m delighted - the fact we’ve handed in a 20,000-signature petition from the people of west Wales is phenomenal.
“It is important to us that the voices of the people of Pembrokeshire are heard.
“We’ve given the Prime Minister a message and it’s one he can’t ignore.”
And it seems it was a message David Cameron couldn't ignore, because on Thursday Milford Haven Coastguard Station won a dramatic reprieve from the Government.
Speaking in Parliament, Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond said Milford Haven would now remain open as a 24-hour facility.
Holyhead Coastguard Station also won a reprieve.
But Swansea, which had originally been due to stay open, will now be closed.
A new period of consultation on the changes to the original plan has also been announced.
In light of the latest announcements a new national petition has been set-up. For more information click here: http://t.co/aSNUSFz
Petition organiser Mair Williams, her husband David and Rosie Swale Pope outside Number 10...
Dennis O'Connor and Andy Kuruc deliver the national petition...
The group celebrate after the handover of the petitions...
After the TV interviews in the rain it was time for some more snaps...
We weren't the only ones smiling through the downpour, a group of schoolchildren were also managing to make the most of their trip to Downing Street...
Fortunately I wasn't confined to the press area and had free access to set up the shots in front of Number 10...
