EAST RUNTON BEACH IS A DISGRACE

A fierce storm on Sunday February 13th was the latest blow to an already uncared for beach at East Runton. The area now looks more like a war zone than the safe sandy beach that so many visitors have enjoyed over the years.  Huge waves undermined the foundations of the sea wall which fell over taking pieces of the promenade, surface water pipe and part of the cliff face with it.  Locals and visitors alike expected the local authority to act swiftly to repair the damage, but that has not been the case. Four months after the storm struck the only work to have taken place has been a token tidy up and replacement of the surface water pipe.  Local businessman Mike Ashwell owns three businesses in the area that rely heavily on the tourist trade and he feels that the council’s inaction will blight the popular seaside village. Mike says “we run a caravan park overlooking the beach and so many visitors have been coming to us to express their sadness and disgust at the way the beach area has been allowed to deteriorate. People take it for granted that the council will sort it out and are surprised that so little has been done so far. Another storm could devastate the now fragile defences. I have had to cajole North Norfolk District Council into fencing off the area as children were playing there and risking injury”.

With so many people commenting on the damage Mike decided to ask them to write down their thoughts so he could present them to the local authority. In no time at all 300 people had done just that. Mike says “The council will realise the sadness their inaction is causing if they take the time to read these comments. We only want the beach and its access to be safe and tidy that can’t be too much to ask for surely?”

Mike has also written to local MP Norman Lamb to ask for his help in this matter.

Since the storm the only access to the beach is down a very steep concrete slipway which is potholed and dangerously slippy. Many people have slipped over and injured themselves and it is near impossible for less able people to get to the beach. There is a hand rail but even that is in urgent need of repair.  Mike will deliver the comments to the head of North Norfolk District Council and the relevant departments responsible for tourism, sea defences and health and safety this week.

Would you be interested in forming a Friends of East Runton Beach Group? To help ensure that our beach is cared for. If you would, please contact Mike Ashwell at info@seaviewcaravanpark.net or ring him on 01263 514569.

British Sharpie Championship

27 sharpies many dating back to the 1930s competed for the National Championships in Holkham Bay in May. It was good to see veterans of the class joined by at least 8 boats with young crews. Also welcome were three of the top boats from a strong Dutch fleet. It was also a tribute to all competitors that in difficult seas all competitors were racing right to the end of the series.

Martin Read has been sailing sharpies at Wells Sailing Club since 1977. Martin and his wife Sue own Hilltop Outdoor Centre near Sheringham and his son Ollie is Martin's 'first mate' on board the boat and at the centre where he manages the instructor team. The boat, Poelsnip was built in Germany in 1931 and Martin bought it from Holland in 1999. It had been a family fun boat in the hands of the same Dutch family since 1937. The previous owner still visits GB in the summer and takes it for a spin. Poelsnip is Dutch for puddle snipe.

The winners of the championship were Martins nephews Chris & Tim Gibbs, both of whom began sailing by crewing Martin in the 90s. They have now won the Championships 5 times as well as being European champs in 2003. Martin's previous best was 2nd in the British and 3rd in the Europeans in 2000. Martin and Oliver came through in second place. Let that be a lesson - never teach the younger ones too much!