Exploring the Bournemouth Coast Path

The Poole and Christchurch Bays Shoreline Management Policy is now out for consultation.

The message for Poole Bay, better known as Bournemouth seafront, is hold the line. East of Point House in Southbourne the report uses the phrase ‘robust defence’.

Christchurch Bay, Mudeford to Barton-on-Sea, looks less safe.

The recommendation for Mudeford Spit is “allow gradual rollback in line with sea level rise”. Hordle cliff also faces a “natural rollback’ and at Naish Farm where there is crumbling cliff there would be ‘limited intervention’.

However, the report does see a need for long term defence of Highcliffe Castle.

There is a SMP roadshow today at the Beachcomber Cafe in Barton-on-Sea and on Thursday at Bournemouth’s BIC.

This is the first full report since the National Trust announced that it was to cease defending the shoreline near Studland.

Any decisions taken as a result of this report will affect the coast path on each side of Bournemouth in the next few years.

Coastguards are warning people to stay off  beaches at Sandbanks and Branksome and Purbeck cliff paths to avoid severe weather on Saturday.

The winter route between Southbourne and Mudeford is likely to be flooded tomorrow (Saturday) according to the Environment Agency.

Its message tonight warns about “areas in close proximity to Christchurch Harbour including Mudeford, Stanpit, the Quomps and Wick “. This includes Wick Ferry.

There has been heavy overnight rain in Bournemouth and more is to follow this Friday night.

See pages 56 to 61.

Now that we have changed clocks, which means no Mudeford ferry, walkers will be using the winter route between Southbourne and Mudeford.

This involves crossing Stanpit Marsh which is currently subject of a draft management plan. The public consultation has revealed a very strong wish to restrain dogs from running freely.

It looks as if, after further consultation with residents, the byelaw requiring “proper control” will be changed to an enforecement of having all dogs on leads.

Dog walkers may not like this but Christchurch Council has a duty to preserve precious Stanpit Marsh, a detached section of the old New Forest, which has horses and cattle as well as migrating birds.

See page 60.

The whale nicknamed Gilbert who was seen in Poole Bay last week has been washed up on the beach near near Alum Chine.

The blood stained body, now partly covered, is this morning lying on the sand.

A diversion maybe for delegates at the nearby Liberal Democrat conference.

Good to see Nick Clegg and his wife standing on the Bournemouth Coast Path today. He was enjoying the view from the West Cliff often used as a backdrop by television reporters.

This weekend and next week you will see lots of familiar faces on the slope between the Highcliff Hotel and the Pier as the Liberal Democrat Conference is at the Bournemouth International Centre.

If you are not able to enjoy this wonderful weather on the path and spot the whale there should be some good pictures on television.

See pages 30-31.

Bournemouth cliffs is  a good place to be just now with news of a whale swimming around Poole Bay.

BBC South Today had a live report last night from Branksome Chine.

It seems that the whale is about 30 foot long which is only half the length  of the one washed up at Boscombe in 1897.  That attracted huge crowds.

But with experts suggesting that this new whale may be unwell it could be that we shall have a dead whale washed up again.

See page 44.

Fiona Duncan in the Sunday Telegraph thought that the Chewton Glen was too expensive and so opted for Westover Hall.

At £206 per night is too much for me. Walking should not be expensive. Cheaper at Ha’penny House nearby.

See pages 70,  74 and 87.

August Bank Holiday weekend comes at the very end of the month this year and on Sunday (30 August) Hordle Old Churchyard has its annual service.

The church was pulled down in 1829 and moved inland due to the crumbling cliff. However, the site survives with the churchyard and its ancient graves containing shipwrecked sailors in tact.

The congregation from the ‘new’ All Saints inland and visitors are invited to arrive by 5.30pm. Take  a picnic. The service is at 6.30pm.

The churchyard is next to Hordle House and Hordle Manor Farm.

Church office: 01425 626565

See page 73.

The clifftop and seafront at Bournemouth are likely to be crowded this weekend and certainly noisy.

The air show starts today and crowds are expected to build up during the next four days when the displays are over the bay.

A good place to watch might be from around Old Harry Rocks between Swanage and Studland.

This event is a preview of the 2010 air show which will be part of Bournemouth’s bi-centenary celebrations. A century ago the centenary events included an air display at Southbourne during which Charles Rolls died.

Bournemouth Air Festival runs from Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 August.

See page 57.