Published: Thursday, 4th February, 2010 8:00am

Coastguard talks safety

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Good listeners: Coastguard Geoff Brown addresses pupils at The Forest School in Winnersh about the dangers of the coastline around Newquay.

FAMILY and friends of teenager Paddy Higgins attended the first safety talk in his memory to warn others of seaside dangers.

The Winnersh 16-year-old died after falling from a cliff in Newquay in July during a post-GCSE holiday with classmates from The Forest School.

His father John Higgins, who has campaigned for more to be done to keep youngsters safe at the resort, and Paddy's mother Maria were at the school on Thursday, January 21 for the first school safety talk in Berkshire by Newquay coastguards Geoff and Christine Brown.

Mr Brown, a Cornwall councillor for the Newquay Central division, said: "If Paddy's legacy from his tragic loss of life is that one youngster stays safe then it will all be worth coming here.

"There has to be something positive that comes out of this."

The husband and wife, who have been coastguards for 20 years and also in the cliff rescue team, taught pupils in Year 11 and upwards at The Forest and later The Emmbrook School in Wokingham about the importance of staying together, not drinking irresponsibly and being wary of being disorientated in the dark.

They also taught them about the flag system on beaches and looking out for poisonous weaver fish and undertow.

Forest headteacher Keith Quine said: "Paddy was an immensely popular and successful student and his father, at the time, was head of business studies.

"We felt it right and proper to get the safety message across and by us having the talk first, I hope it helps other Berkshire schools to take up the Browns' very generous offer."

The Browns will be in Berkshire each Wednesday and Thursday until March to give safety talks at any schools that invite them, supported by Newquay Town Council and Newquay Safe Partnership. Contact 0786633468 or geoff-brown@talktalk.net