News & Events

DCF eNews August 2021
Posted : August 6, 2021

Main Image of a new mural at Sandsfoot Beach, Weymouth  Photo: Litter Free Dorset

Welcome to Dorset Coast Forum’s August eNews update. If you have an article to share, or wish to unsubscribe, please email dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

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• The DCF Coordinator vacancy closes for applications on the 5^th August. Rhiannon will be leaving on the 19^th August so please do contact dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk directly in the interim. Rhiannon has done a fantastic job of leading the team over the last few years and we will all be sad to say goodbye but wish her well in her new role.

• Also, this month we welcome Toni Powell who joined us on the 2^nd August in the new role of BRIC Coordinator. Toni will be coordinating the Building Resilience in Flood Disadvantaged Communities (BRIC) project, which is a partnership project, led by Plymouth City Council and funded by the Interreg Channel Manche programme, to create 8 local resilience networks and delivery programmes. Toni will be working with the Weymouth community to enable local people and businesses to work collaboratively with flood management and other authorities to reduce social and economic impacts of flooding through innovative service design.

• DCF, together with Dorset Council’s Harbour Committee working group, have produced a first draft of the Dorset Council Harbours Strategy and are this month asking for feedback on the draft strategy from the Dorset Council Harbours Committee and the Harbour Consultative Groups. Once this feedback has been incorporated, the draft strategy will go the Dorset Council Harbours Committee in September for approval for a wider public consultation.

• We now have the final detailed design for the Weymouth Station Gateway to share with the public which is welcoming, attractive, contemporary and focuses on pedestrian access and safety. The station will have a sustainable transport hub and the provision of better interpretation and wayfinding. Due to higher than predicted costs we have undertaken a value engineering process to reduce costs whilst not compromising on the objectives and so the updated design has been submitted for planning approval. Construction is still on track to start in Autumn 2021 with the aim of completion by March 2022.

FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT WORK

• The South West Aquaculture Network (SWAN) AGM will be held on the 28^th October 2021 at Kingston Maurward College. Please save the date in your diaries and details on how to book will follow shortly.

• As usual Martin is available to help with Fisheries and Seafood Scheme applications. If you have a bid that you need help with…you know what to do! Contact him at martin.sutcliffe@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

SUSTAINABLE SWANAGE

• Wildlife surveys have continued, and we have 12 new volunteers trained to do butterfly surveys on the Peveril Downs survey route. The meadow areas are coming along well with more plant species being recorded this summer.

• We have begun our in-person meetings for Greening Swanage and had a great meeting at the Greengage Community Garden with some new members, do get in touch with Sarah if you would like to join and be a part of maintaining, designing, promoting or surveying green spaces in Swanage. We will be meeting monthly.

• New bike racks are going to be installed around Swanage this month as part of a drive to encourage and facilitate more active travel. We will also be launching a poll in September as part of a feasibility study into starting up a car club in Swanage.

• We are setting up a new Waste Action Group who could help deliver exciting projects in Swanage including a Community Fridge, promotion of food waste apps, repair shops, water refill stations and more. We need people who are keen to help make these things happen and have a bit of time to spare to get involved, the first online meeting will be held in October. Please get in touch with Sarah for details.

Sandsfoot Beach ‘Leave only Footprints’ Mural
Litter Free Dorset together with Weymouth-based Dead Walk Designs and Castle Cove Sailing Club have created a mural at Sandsfoot Beach, Weymouth, encouraging the public to have a fun but responsibly time at the beach, and leave only footprints has been completed! (Photo of the mural is the main eNews image).

See the full August eNews HERE!