Final farewell to Lytham Coastguard stalwart Alistair

Friends and former colleagues turned out in force to say farewell to former Lytham Coastguard station officer Alistair Heyworth.
By Tony Durkin
Published 6th Oct 2020, 12:30 BST
The Lytham Coastguard vehicle leads the funeral cortege along Blackpool seafront to Carleton CrematoriumThe Lytham Coastguard vehicle leads the funeral cortege along Blackpool seafront to Carleton Crematorium
The Lytham Coastguard vehicle leads the funeral cortege along Blackpool seafront to Carleton Crematorium

His socially-distanced funeral service at St Annes Parish Church and was preceded and followed by a procession of vehicles representing the Coastguard, RNLI and other emergency services as well as biking friends from Alistair’s long-time hobby of motor cycling.

The route went into Lytham from his St Annes home and included the Lytham Coastguard HQ, while after the service, it wended its way to Carleton Crematorium – with its Lytham counterpart currently closed – via Blackpool Promenade.

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Alistair, who died after a short illness, aged 73, retired from the Coastguard service in September 2011 after 30 years. He spent the last 12 of those years as station officer in charge of the Coastguard Rescue team in St Annes.

Alistair Heyworth served the Coastguard for 30 yearsAlistair Heyworth served the Coastguard for 30 years
Alistair Heyworth served the Coastguard for 30 years

During his three decades’ service, Alistair was involved with more than 4,000 incidents including the Riverdance ferry disaster off Cleveleys, cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay and various helicopters and other aircraft ditching in the sea.

Of all the incidents he dealt with, he recalled the Riverdance in early 2008 as the most testing.

Alistair’s niece Angelica Ashbrook Heyworth said: “We were really proud of him as an outstanding local hero.”

Current Lytham Coastguard station officer Paul Little said: “We thank Alistair for his outstanding service and offer our condolences to his family.”

Related topics:RNLI

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