Author Archives: Leigh Hatts

The demolition of Southbourne’s Point House Cafe, the last house on the cliff, has begun. The new building will be flats called Ocean Point. The Bournemouth Daily Echo has an update. See page 52.

Caravans have appeared on the cliff top opposite Shelley Park. The eight mobile homes with panoramic views belong to travellers who arrived on Easter Eve. The land is owned by Bournemouth Council whose officials are now in discussion with the … Continue reading →

The Ship Inn on The Quay at Lymington gets a good review in yesterday’s Telegraph. “You’re as welcome in a jumper as you are in a blazer and tie” writes Christopher Middleton. See page 83.

The Percy B Shelley’s son Sir Percy lived in a house on Boscombe’s cliff top where he was visited by the poet’s many friends. At the house, now known as Shelley Park or Boscombe Manor, were  kept many of the … Continue reading →

The wind farm due to be erected 10 miles off Bournemouth’s coast has not yet been given a name. One suggestion is Knollsea although one wonders what Thomas Hardy would have thought of a blot on the horizon. The Bournemouth … Continue reading →

The Friends of Lymington’s Sea Water swimming pool have announced that the open-air baths will re-open at Easter. The news comes at the start of Lent so it’s a forty day wait for the Easter treat. See page 83.

Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and author Henry James were just two people who loved the view of the bay at Bournemouth. Now, the possibility of a wind farm out at sea has moved a stage further. Last night BBC South … Continue reading →

The Globe Inn at Highcliffe has reopened a Premier Inn. This is handy for bed and breakfast as it’s in the village centre and near the coast path. Today a room is just £29. Turn right at the main road … Continue reading →

The Sandbanks Ferry is operating again after its refit in Southampton. It will be running daily including Christmas Day when there will be an half hour timetable from  8am (from Sandbanks) to 6.10pm (from Shell Bay). Christmas Day sailings from … Continue reading →

Sandbanks Ferry was due to have been back in service by the start of December. The vessel  Bramble Bay will now return from Southampton this week and might be in operation by next weekend 11/12 December. See page 20.