The Great Gale 1824 – Free public exhibition commemorating the great storm of Dorset.
On the night of 22nd November 1824 a storm of unprecedented ferocity hit the Dorset coast, flooding many houses, destroying villages in its path and claimed many lives during the two days that it besieged the coast.
Now, 200 years on, Dorset Coast Forum in collaboration with the Environment Agency and BCP council bring together a free public exhibition that explores the impacts The Great Gale of 1824 left on the Dorset Coast.
For all the dates and locations across Dorset visit
⏰ When: Registration from 9.00am, presentations will start at 9.30am and finish by 4.30pm.
We’ve had a fantastic response to our conference bookings – tickets are now fully booked and the Eventbrite booking page is closed!
If you wanted to join us and haven’t yet booked your ticket yet, please contact us and we will add your details to a cancellation list.
Agenda Highlights:
We are delighted to announce our keynote speaker is Chris Hines MBE. Chris has been working and campaigning for the environment for over 30 years and revels in inspiring positive change. Co-founder and then Director of Surfers Against Sewage from 1990 till 2000, Chris now aims to deliver positive change through motivational talks and delivering initiatives that implement positive environmental solutions. Find out more about Chris’s work at www.agos.co
Current challenges for the Dorset Coast: We will also delve into the pressing issues affecting our coastline with presentations covering:
What are the current challenges for coastal change in Dorset – including climate change, changes in policy and designations, Dave Picksley, Environment Agency.
What do the Shoreline Management Plans envisage the Dorset coast looking like in the Future? Alan Frampton, South West Flood & Coastal
South West Coast Path – Keeping an open path, Julian Gray, South West Coast Path Association.
Positive Actions: A deep dive into key areas where proactive measures are addressing these challenges in:
Coastal heritage at risk – challenges and looking to the past for opportunities, Anthony Firth, Historic England.
Sustaining our beaches – A new approach, Dr Matthew Wadey, South West Flood & Coastal.
Coasts in Mind – Empowering communities by putting their knowledge at the forefront of coastal planning, Caroline Barrie-Smith, Museum of London Archaeology.
As always there will also be lots of networking opportunities with over a 100 DCF members attending, all with knowledge and expertise of Dorset’s coast.
Interactive Information Stands
In addition to the full day’s agenda of inspirational presentations and engaging workshop, there will be information stands from our sponsors and partners. Information stands this year will showcase innovative engagement tools (including DCF’s new wave tank) designed to engage coastal communities, research and technologies.
A buffet will be available at lunchtime and drinks included in your ticket price.
Your name, job title and organisation will be listed on the conference delegate list to be displayed at the conference and on our website unless you did not consent to this when booking.
If you have any specific dietary or access requirements that we should be aware of, please contact us at dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Early sign up is recommended as places are limited to 120.
When: Thursday 24th October, registration from 9.00am, presentations will start at 9.30am and finish by 4.30pm.
Bulk or Invoice Ticket Purchase
For bulk ticket purchase or if you need an invoice for your purchase, please do not purchase your tickets via the Eventbrite link. Please email us directly at dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.ukto book your tickets and request an invoice.
Refund Policy
Refunds for cancellations will only be issued up to midnight on 14th October (less a £4 ticketing fee).
If someone can attend in your place, named substitutes are permitted with notice by Monday 21st October to dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
By Bus – Buses stop at the King’s Statue on the Esplanade which is a 3-4 minute walk to the Pavilion. Here is a list of buses stopping at the King’s Statue – First Bus Timetable
Accommodation – there is a huge choice of hotels in Weymouth, here are a few recommended hotels:
Hotel REX – 4 min walk to Pavilion/ 12 min walk to station
The Royal Hotel – 10 min walk to Pavilion/ 4 min walk to station
The Education Hub is our new go-to resource for coastal information and learning materials. It is designed to provide students and teachers at schools, colleges, and universities with access to a wealth of educational resources related to the Dorset coast, including:
Outdoor Classrooms Days
Coastal Careers
Coast for Kids
Flood Hub lesson plans adapted to the Dorset Coast
Please take a look and share with your education teams and contacts.
Your donation can make a huge difference to seagrass restoration at Studland Bay.
With your help, we’ll continue to restore this precious habitat and ensure people will be able to enjoy these waters for years to come. 10% of the ocean’s total burial of carbon is captured by seagrass and Studland has the capacity to produce 10 tonnes of oxygen a day – that’s enough for 10,000 people or the whole town of Swanage
100% of the funds raised through your donation will be used directly towards marine conservation at Studland Bay:
£5 could help to maintain the eco-moorings
£10 could help restore the habitat of the Spiny Seahorse – Studland is its main breeding ground!
£25 could help to support our research and monitoring programme
Corporate Partnerships
Do you work for or run a business that wants to give back to the marine world? The ambitious work of the partnership in the past few years has succeeded so far through the brilliant support of our core partners and through corporate donations. Join us on this journey for nature and find out how you can become a valued partner.
In August 2024 the SBMP unveiled 8 navigation and seagrass awareness boards at marinas across the local area.
The boards help recreational boat users to identify the marine protected area, seagrass beds and voluntary no anchor zone (VNAZ) providing practical tips so everyone can navigate and minimise any damage through anchoring and have a greater understanding of where the 87 eco-moorings are located for public use.
Funded as part of the Marine Management Organisation’s (MMO) FaSS grant awarded to the partnership in 2024, the design of the boards reflect those installed by the RYA’s environment programme The Green Blue but on a local, Studland specific level.
The partnership is once again offering marinas and yacht clubs the opportunity to book in a friendly and informative talk from the boating members of our Steering Group, all about Studland and the work of the SBMP over the coming months. Interested in booking? Please contact us.
