2nd March 2021. The eyes along the coast along part of the north Norfolk coast now has a new head. Richard Leeds has been elected Station Manager of the National Coastwatch Institution station at Cromer, taking over from Linda Lawrence. 

Mr Leeds, who is also Cromer's Mayor, said he was delighted with his new role.  He said: "I was at sea myself for 20-odd years - I love the sea and this is a nice little step. We're very lucky that the Coastguard look on our service as a great asset, especially on our beaches in north Norfolk. Slowly the stations are expanding."

Mr Leeds was a longtime volunteer at Cromer's RNLI and first visited the NCI's lookout on the cliffs at East Runton in 2018. He joined the NCI as a watchkeeper in October 2019 and quickly achieved certified status. 

Mrs Lawrence, who has managed the station since 2018, said: "I have enjoyed every minute of being there. I was previously station manager at Caister, so I have just decided that after six years as a Station Manager, it is time for someone else to continue to take NCI Cromer forward."

Richard Leeds, taking over as Station Manager of NCI Cromer from Linda Lawrence. - (Photo credit: Linda Lawrence) Please note this photograph was taken beforethe pandemic required social distancing.