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Solent News Issue 13, September 2002 |
“We have just celebrated the Solent Forum’s first ten years - a split second in the geological history of the Solent, yet a great deal has been achieved in those years. This edition of Solent News clearly illustrates this. We are learning too, many things about the Solent’s history. One of the most dramatic events took place in 1764, when the 120' needle shaped rock known as “Lot’s Wife”, from which the Needles gained its name, collapsed. The crash could be heard in Southampton The Needles being a gateway are often regarded as a symbol of the Solent”. Maldwin Drummond, Chair, Solent Forum.
Tall Ships Leave the Solent On Sunday 18 August, the shoreline was filled with over 700, 000 people to witness the Parade of Sail as the Tallships left the Solent. One by one the great sailing vessels weighed anchor to fall in line behind HMS Exeter, led by Portsmouth’s own Stavros Niarchos. Not only were the queens of the ocean in the Solent that afternoon. At least a thousand other craft were out there too. Pleasure cruisers, yachts, motor launches, dinghies, ferries. It was as if the local marinas had asked everyone to leave their moorings and with nowhere to go they hung out in the Solent. The Solent had rarely been so full. Nor the shoreline. In the naval base, at Gunwharf Quays, on Spice Island, on the Round Tower, in Gosport’s Falkland Gardens and along Haslar sea wall, every space was taken. Southsea seafront too was occupied. Infact, there was no seafront. It had disappeared in a sea of bodies. Southsea’s bandstand simply didn’t exist, it was lost in the throng. The tall ships continued on, first under engine power, but then in the,Solent, turning to enter Stokes Bay, they unfurled their sails. They headed to HMS Exeter, anchored off Lee-on-the-Solent, through the crowded water. When they passed her, they blew their horns, fired their guns, raised full sail and headed out into the Channel.
P&O Portsmouth’s ship Pride of Bilbao has recently taken on board more than her regular load of passengers. A box of scientific sensors has been installed in the ship’s engine room to collect valuable data about the state of the ocean each time she sails from Portsmouth through the diverse Bay of Biscay to Spain and across the Channel to Cherbourg. The sensors measure the water temperature, salinity and fluorescence, as well as the ship’s position and time, to help understand what makes our oceans ‘tick’. The data is sent via satellite to Southampton Oceanography Centre (SOC), where scientists will use it to monitor processes occurring in the water which can affect the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, an important ‘greenhouse gas’. The data is also available on a website. The newly installed system on the Pride of Bilbao is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, and from later this year it will be additionally supported by European Union funding.
For more information contact Dr David Hydes, Southampton Oceanography Centre Tel 023 8059 6547; or email
The Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment is developing a ‘Coastal Evolution and Risks Map’ for the whole of the Isle of Wight assisted by pilot study work from the ICZMap Project. The process of developing this map will draw upon an understanding of coastal processes and geomorphology as well as being informed by the findings from the forthcoming DEFRA Futurecoast project. The map will indicate a 70 year predicted erosion line taking careful account of geological conditions as well as indicating areas affected by flooding (1 in 200 years), coastal instability and problems with poor soils. It is intended that this map should be of practical value to aid the planning process in terms of both spatial planning and development control. The Isle of Wight will be arranging technical workshops involving engineers and planners from local authorities along the central south coast of England to assist in ensuring that the development of the map will prove to be an effective tool to aid planning and sustainable development in the long term.
For further information contact Robin McInnes, Coastal Manager, Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1EJ; tel : 01983 856371; e-mail : robin.mcinnes.
This project was commissioned by DEFRA and the Environment Agency to provide an improved and more consistent understanding of the coastal processes, geomorphology and future coastal evolution of the coasts of England and Wales. The project is led by Halcrow Group Ltd and has also involved British Geological Survey and Risk and Policy Analysts Ltd. The project considered both the onshore and offshore areas as well as the interaction between them. As well as a macro scale review being done for the whole coastline of England and Wales a regional scale review was carried out for the South, West and East Coasts. Shortly local authorities and other other agencies will be issued with Future Coast CD Rom.
For more information contact Halcrow Ltd email: halcrow@halcrow.com
Marine sand and gravel makes an important contribution to meeting the nation’s demand for construction aggregate materials. It is particularly important in London and the South East of England, where it accounts for almost a third of the total regional demand for sand and gravel. To ensure that extraction does not cause unacceptable adverse impacts, a range of controls have been imposed on dredging activities. Currently, dredging licences are issued by the Crown Estate. A non-statutory “Government View” (GV) procedure was introduced in 1968, under which a licence is only issued if the Government has indicated that it is content that the impacts on the environment of the proposed dredging activity are acceptable. The GV procedure was amended in 1998 with the introduction of ‘Interim Procedures’, to make the application and determination process faster and more transparent. Guidance on the Interim Procedures was published in May 1998 (DETR, 1998). The revised GV system will itself be replaced shortly by a statutory system which will transpose the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Directives, insofar as they relate to marine minerals dredging, into UK law. The statutory procedures will require dredging operators to obtain a Dredging Permission from the Secretary of State. Separate guidance will be provided in due course. The policy guidance contained in this Note applies only to dredging for minerals in English territorial waters. It applies both to applications for dredging licences considered under the Government View (GV) procedure and for Dredging Permissions granted under the forthcoming statutory system.
Further information from the website
East Head spit at the entrance to Chichester harbour has a long history of change and there has been recent concern about a repeat of the 1963 breach. To address these concerns Marine Environmental Research led a multidisciplinary study involving a number of organisations including HR Wallingford Ltd, Geosea (Canada) Ltd and the University of Portsmouth. Careful study of historical information indicates that the onset of this change predates the majority of the defences. This underlines the fact that most of the current sediment supply problems result from a longer term reduction over the late Holocene period. However, over the last century sea defences and management practices have influenced the evolution of East Head spit by fixing its position and preventing natural realignment. Today, erosion at East Head can be attributed to a limited sediment supply which has had a number of effects,including a reduction in the supply of material to the spit itself, the lowering of the Winner sand bank and an increase in the cross section of the estuary mouth. In the future, it is expected that the continued paucity of supply will lead to continued erosion of the neck of the spit. Numerical modelling has shown that should this erosion lead to the formation of a tidal breach in the neck of the spit, the tidal currents are enough to keep such a feature open. The longer term evolution of the spit, over 100’s to 1000’s of years, is likely to involve realignment accompanied by the further landwards retreat of the coastline under rising sea levels. The future of the spit is however closely controlled by the choice of defence strategy for the groyned coast to the west, particularly near the ‘Hinge Point’ at the neck of the spit.
For more details please contact ABP MER (Marine Environmental Research) who led this study. Pathfinder House, Maritime Way, Southampton, SO14 3AE Tel + 44 (0) 23 8033 8100
Beaches across all communities have been given a clean bill of health from Euro chiefs. A report into the quality of bathing waters around the country has revealed our coast is cleaner than it has been for years. Tests carried out showed that water off every beach was 100% free of sewage excect Southsea which was at 95%.
The Solent Water Quality Conference came under the wing of the Solent Forum at the end of 2001. Since that time, we have been examining the work of the SWQC and the way it operates. The Officers Working Group (OWG) agreed in September last year that when the Solent Forum took over the administration the membership fee would be abolished, but a charge of around £50 per person would be made for attending the annual conference. This year, this was trialled and the event seemed to be very successful. We have revised the Terms of Reference and Constitution (available on the Solent Forum website) and have agreed that there be core members and affiliated members. Core membership will include all those in the OWG plus the Harbour Authorities in the Solent area. We have also agreed that, as it would no longer be a Standing Conference solely for local authorities, the group will be known from now on as the Solent Water Quality Association. The 2002 Conference examined the potential new role of local authorities in the EC Revision of the Bathing Water Directive which moves from a monitor to manage approach together with better provision of public information on water quality so that they may make an informed choice. We are still awaiting the Revisions to the Bathing Water Directive but in the meantime intend to take forward the need to improve beach management and public information. A workshop in early 2003 will focus on beach management planning and procedures whilst the 2003 Conference will focus on the provision of public information.
For more information contact the Solent Forum office.
The Marine Conservation Society’s annual beachwatch litter clean up takes place over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd September. It is now in its 10th year and has become the most extensive monitoring programme in Europe for coastal and marine litter. The MCS needs volunteers to help make Beachwatch 2002 the biggest beach clean yet.
For more information contact the MCS on 01989 566017 or email beachwatch@mcsuk.org.uk
Chessel Bay in Southampton benefited from a good spring clean. The ‘Sparkling’ team from the City Council worked along side local community groups to tidy up the flotsam and jetsam left behind on the beach. One and half lorry loads of rubbish were carted away, including pallets, polystyrene pontoons and a variety of flotsam and jetsam that had collected along the shoreline near the Nature Reserve.
For more information about the Sparkling Southampton Campaign visit: www.southampton.gov.uk/sparkling.
As many schools broke up for the summer last week and people headed off for their holidays the weekend saw a record-breaking start to what is set to be a busy few months for Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port. The latest figures revealed that between Friday night (19 July 2002) and Sunday night (21 July 2002) almost 20,000 people passed through the port on their way to the warmer climes of France, Spain and the Channel Islands.
For the sixth consecutive year the port of Southampton has won a safety award having satisfactorily faced the British Safety Council’s awards panel and proved that it has lower-than-averaage accident rates, sound safety policies and plans and board-level commitment to health and safety.
Shipbuilding returned to Portsmouth for the first time in 35 years in July. Workers will begin fitting out state of the art survey ships Echo and Enterprise in the naval base.
The Royal Navy revealed that Portsmouth would be the home for their future aircraft carriers. The leviathans, the capital ships of the Royal Navy and the epitome of naval pride will serve the fleet into the 2060s and will take over the existing Invincible class ships.
The Port of Southampton came out on top at the world’s largest cruise conference recently held earlier this year in Miami, Florida. The port won two highly prestigious awards – “Northern Europe’s Most Efficient Terminal Operator” and “Northern Europe’s best Turnaround Port”. The awards – a result of votes cast by the cruise-line operators themselves – were presented during the annual Miami Cruise Conference by the leading cruise publication, Dream World Cruise Destination. The port’s position as a key player in Northern Europe and cruise capital of the UK was further reinforced at the end of 2001 when Cunard announced that is has committed to the commissioning of a new cruise liner at a cost of £300 million to be based in Southampton from 2005, a year after Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, the world’s largest cruise liner, makes her inaugural sailing from Southampton. ABP will carry out an extensive refurbishment programme at the passenger terminal to provide an extra 50% passenger capacity which will be required when the QM2 starts her regular sailings.
The Isle of Wight Council’s County Archaeological Service and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology provided hands-on activities for children and educational talks at Fort Victoria on the 20th and 21st of July. It was a rare chance to find out about the wealth of historical relics and artefacts that lie just below the island’s waters. The event was part of National Archaeology Days, which are two days a year when archaeological organisations over Britain open their doors to the public.
To find out about next year’s event please contact the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology on 02380 59 32 90
A project to restore and conserve the Royal Navy’s first submarine has been short listed for the prestigious Pilgrim Trust Conservation Award. Holland 1, built in 1901, was saved by conservators from corrosion as part of an initiative which received funding from Hampshire County Council.
Fascinating finds are being revealed in Langstone Harbour, and of particular note is a logboat. The area is well known for its evidence of habitation from the Mesolithic period onwards. The shallow tidal harbour provides resources which have been exploited through the ages. In addition to the logboat several areas of hurdle work have been uncovered, these are very fragile and are now at risk from further erosion and drying. The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology (HWTMA) have surveyed the most extensive area that is currently exposed and a photographic record has been produced.
This summer the Solent Forum celebrated its 10th birthday. It was felt appropriate by the Steering Group to mark the occasion with an afternoon with Maldwin Drummond (our Chair) and his wife at their home at Cadland, and invite Solent Forum members and others who have been part of the success of the Forum to a party at Sptibank Fort
Over the past five years, the work of the Forum Officers has concentrated on implementing the five flagship projects identified in Strategic Guidance for the Solent: Solent Information Network; Solent Environment & Access Initiative; State of the Solent; Solent Outreach; and the Solent Science Conference (subsequently broadened to Solent Research). As the work on these projects is nearing completion, the Solent Forum Steering Group felt it was an opportune time to review the aims, objectives and priorities of the Forum. Revised objectives were discussed at the November 2001 Forum meeting and subsequently endorsed by the Steering Group, and are shown on the Forum’s website. The Steering Group decided that the review needed to be informed by an independent appraisal by an outside consultant. Following a tendering process, the contract for the appraisal was awarded to BMT Cordah in August 2002. During the first stage, the consultants will interview Steering Group members and will send an online questionnaire to all members of the Forum (and to a selection of non-members across the wide spectrum of Forum interests). The aims of this consultation are to evaluate the performance of the Forum over the 10 years since it was formed, to assess how well the Forum meets the needs of its members, and to consider proposals and priorities for the work of the Forum over the next 5 years or so. The next stage involves a comparative analysis with coastal forums elsewhere in the UK, in order to draw on examples of good practice and innovative ideas. The review will lead to a new business plan, to cover the period 2003-2008. The outcome of the review will be reported to the next Forum meeting, on 5 November.
If you would like further information about the Review, please contact Tracey Hewett, Solent Forum Officer, on 01962 84 60 27, or email solentforum@hants.gov.uk
The Solent area has a wonderful climate and is readily accessible. Small wonder that it is one of the most popular areas for sailing and related activities. Sailing is a great sport and water activity for people with disabilities, irrespective of the disability. The word Sailability comes from sailing and disabled and represents the freedom and enjoyment that has been found by all who take it up. It is one of the few sports allowing equal participation with able-bodied people As an independent National Charity RYA Sailability has identified Sailing Clubs whose facilities are suitable for disabled sailing. This includes making sure that there is adequate access to the club, suitable shower and toilet facilities, that jetties and pontoons are disabled user friendly and that suitable lifting facilities are available.Specially adapted boats are available for those with severe physical difficulties. Boats like the Access dinghy can even be sailed using the chin and a joystick steering control.
Details of Foundation approved sites are published in the RYA guides “Where to Go Sailing” and found on the website For any help and advice call 0845 345 0403
| 2000 | 2001 | |
| Total number of incidents | 1298 | 1405 |
| Total number of persons assisted | 1863 | 1874 |
| Total number of persons rescued | 382 | 476 |
| Total number if lives lost | 19 | 28 |
| District coastguard rescue call outs | 709 | 836 |
Hampshire County Council, as harbour authority, and the Crown Estate, as landowner and licensor of moorings, have jointly announced a public consultation which will help produce a new mooring plan for the River Hamble. The new plan aims to rationalise and reorganise moorings and berths on the river in order to achieve significant benefits to recreation, navigation and safety, and the environment. The public consultation, starting with the Southampton Boat Show, will continue with meetings in Hamble, Warsash and Bursledon, and will enable river users and other interested parties to participate in the development of the new plan.
For a copy of the leaflet describing the outline plan, please contact the Harbour Office on 01489 576387 e-mail Richard Exley
Cowes Week took place between the 3rd and 10th August. This year due to a lack of celebrities it was a chance for yachtsmen and women to concentrate on their sport. After a slow start due to the lack of wind there was a great conclusion to the week with the wind blowing all day. Approximately, four-and-three quarter miles of good chain was laid to ensure adequate mooring. This year, there was a record number of day-class moorings at Cowes - in excess of 250.
The Prime Minister has created a new Department for Transport to focus solely on transport issues. Most of the other responsibilities of the former Department for Transport Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) have been brought into the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and put together with his existing related responsibilities for social exclusion and the regions (including the Government Offices in the Regions). DTLR’s former responsibility for the Electoral Commission and for policy on electoral law, referendums and party funding has transfered to the Lord Chancellor’s Department.
Two new websites have been developed for each department: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister www.odpm.gov.uk Department for Transport www.dft.gov.uk (for ports and shipping)
One of Southampton Oceanography Centre’s (SOC) three GLORIA vehicles left SOC at the end of July for transfer to the Science Museum at Wroughton near Swindon part of the National Museum of Science and Industry, this is where large objects are stored and can be viewed by arrangement. GLORIA, which stands for Geological Long Range Inclined Asdic, has been a big success since her development in the 1970’s to map seafloor features in the deep ocean. GLORIA has long range sidescan sonar providing the fastest known method of mapping the shape and texture of the seafloor. GLORIA was used extensively throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s in particular mapping the entire United States Exclusive Economic Zone of around seven million kilometres over a period of seven years. In recognition of the US survey and over 600 scientific publications arising from the vehicle’s outstanding success, GLORIA was awarded the Queens Award for Technological Achievement in 1986.
This recently launched Solent based project , led by business environment specialists SIEnA, a division of registered charity Southampton Environment Centre, has got off to a flying start. An innovative project, the network aims to help businesses to: · Make effective use of their resources · Reduce their waste costs · Improve their waste management practices · Provide information and help on green purchasing This will be achieved through waste assessments conducted by SIEnA on waste generated by companies. This will allow the SIEnA team to determine where wastes can be reused directly by another company or where reprocessing opportunities can be identified, either new or existing. The project allows for at least 30 companies to receive FREE on-site waste assessments and advice on waste reduction measures. In delivering the project SIEnA has secured landfill tax funding from the RMC Environment Fund (www.rmcef.org.uk) with support from Hampshire County Council, Associated British Ports (Southampton) and Southampton City Council. Additional financial assistance has been secured from the Harbour Economic Forum. In addition to the free waste assessment, participating firms also receive a year’s free membership to SIEnA.
Businesses interested in participating please email george.padelopoulos@environmentcentre.com or phone SIEnA on 023 8033 6199.
An important survey by the Environment Agency has so far suggested good news for the fish community in the Medina Estuary. The ongoing investigation, in partnership with the Southampton Oceanographic Centre has found that the Medina Estuary supports an abundance of fish life and is a very important area of the Solent for juvenile fish including bass, sole, flounder, mullet, pipefish, goby and sandsmelt. Local reports have suggested that the very rare Allis Shad, a member of the Herring family, could also be present in the estuary. The fish, which is protected under British and European Law, have been recorded in Southampton Water but there has been no evidence so far that the Allis Shad is breeding in the Medina.
The Hampshire Countryside Access Forum is a new group that will meet for the first time in October. It is an advisory body working with local government to improve the public’s enjoyment of Hampshire’s countryside whilst safeguarding its future. We would welcome comments from members of the Solent Forum on the work of the countryside forum as it develops. Each county council, unitary council and national park must under the CRoW Act 2000 set up a Local Access Forum; this group will be the joint forum for Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth and so will encompass much of the Solent Forum area. Its members will be local people, balanced between those who use the countryside and those who have responsibility for the management of the land. Together, they will seek ways to improve access for all users of the countryside whilst encouraging wildlife and enabling the landowner to make use of his land. There will also be a sub-group looking specifically at issues relevant to the New Forest. A web-site is being built at www.countrysideaccessforum.hants.org.uk to act as a signpost for information relevant to different usergroups in the countryside, give information about the work of the forum and encourage visitors to feed in their views so that we may better represent everyone’s interests. Please do have a look at the site and perhaps join the discussion board to comment on upcoming agenda items.
Further information from Cath Hart on on 01962 847221
Handrails have been added to 150 metres of the Isle of Wight Coastal Path through generous donations from holiday makers. HT Holidays Ltd has offered to further enhance a route, that was resurfaced by the council, by funding more handrails. The path is now easier for walkers enabling them to enjoy the experience of the landslip, which is designated as part of the Island’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
For further Information contact: Tim Slade Tel: 01983 823742 or John Sitch Tel: 01245 451244.
The Wildlife Trusts have launched a national marine campaign calling for a major change in the way in which our seas are managed. Two campaign reports are available ‘Our dying seas?’ and ‘Marine stewardship – meeting the challenge’ at www.wildlifetrusts.org where you can also find out more on how you can support the campaign.
n October British Marine Federation will be running the Advanced Marina Management School in conjunction with the Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) and the International Marina Institute (IMI). The School is aimed at marina/boatyard managers who have at least three years relevant management experience. Delegates who successfully complete the course will be recognised as meeting one of the requirements to become an IMI certificated marina manager (CMM).
Residential course to be held in Dorset on 18th Cotober, for more details contact Angela Spencer on 01784 223631
Hampshire’s Coast - Hampshire County Council has recently launched its web pages on Hampshire’s coast, which form part of the Council’s corporate website. The coastal information is divided into two broad areas. The first contains useful facts and figures on a range of topics: population, landscape, nature conservation, historic heritage, ports and shipping, tourism, recreation, marine resources, marine industries, coastal defence, and ministry of defence. The second area deals with the role of the County Council in relation to Hampshire’s coast, under the headings: caring for the coast; promoting public enjoyment; facilitating economic and social development; and effective planning and management. There are also numerous links to other useful coastal websites. The website will be live in the near future.
How clean will the air be today? A new website which will give detailed information on regional air quality and is updated hourly. The website is operated by netcen, on behalf of DEFRA
City well-being- A new web site was opened to keep the many partnerships, organisations, community groups and citizens in Southampton up to date with the “Local Strategic Partnership”which is working to improve the quality of life in the city. For more information contact David Bennett at Southampton City Council on 023 80833660 or e mail d.Bennett@southampto.gov.uk
Andrew Ashcroft is the new Head of the Planning Service on the Isle of Wight.
Tom Herman has taken over as the Queen’s Harbour Master for Portsmouth. A submariner and specialist navigator, he cut his naval teeth serving in diesel submarines based at HMS DOLPHIN in Gosport. High points so far of his almost 30 years service are command of two boats, HMS OPOSSUM and the ballistic missile carrying submarine HMS RENOWN. He was awarded the OBE for his part in planning and executing the submarine element of the Kosovo Campaign in 1999. His most successful campaign however took place in 1981 when with cunning planning and flawless execution he pursued and caught his future wife Amanda, who was serving at the time as a Naval Nursing Sister in the Royal Naval Hospital at Haslar. Their three children are scattered round the country in typical naval abandon but return home regularly for laundry and cash. A keen amateur clarinettist and squash player Tom and Amanda are buying a place in Titchfield and looking forward very much to settling down to a long and happy association with the Solent Forum and wider community.
Tom can be contacted at Semaphore Tower on 023 92 72 3124
Maggie Kemp started in May 2002 as a business advisor for SIEnA. Her main role is to deliver the Action Energy programme to SMEs in Hampshire and the IOW. Action Energy is a Government programme run through the Carbon Trust and Energy Saving Trust. Before starting with SIEnA she was working for Solent Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC) (also based in Southampton Environment Centre) as a Senior Energy Advisor and was also involved in marketing Solent EEAC’s services. She started at Southampton Environment Centre in October 2000 having completed a LLM in International Environmental Law and volunteering for 6 months in South Africa.
Maggie can be reached on 023 8033 6199 Action Energy freephone helpline 0800 58 57 94 :website
Vicky Price has recently joined the Chichester Harbour Conservancy as the Planning and Property Officer. She is a qualified planner and was previously at Eastleigh Borough Council, in Planning Policy for four years and prior to that at Havant Borough Council in Development Control, for just under two years. She will be advising the Conservancy on all land use planning matters within the AONB. She will also be responsible for the new planning guidelines for the AONB Management Planas well as overseeing the property terrier, works licences, insurances, legal matters, and leases including areas that have been gained for managed retreat and sea defences.
Vicky can be contacted at Chichester Harbour Conservancy office: 01243-512301 or email Vicky@conservancy.co.uk
Tony Sharp joined the Langstone Harbour Board at the beginning of July as the new Environment Officer. He will be continuing and developing the work of the Boards previous Environment Officer Ben Sampson. Previous environmental experience includes working as a Countryside Officer for Arun District Council, as a Volunteer Reserves Ranger for the Sussex Wildlife Trust and as a temporary project officer for the Solent European Marine Sites. Before this he spent a number of years running a small tool hire business and working for an airline.
Tony can be contacted at the Langstone Harbour Board Harbour Office. Telephone 023 9246 3419 or email environment@langstoneharbour.org.uk
In this edition our coastal detective is Commander Tom Herman, Queens Harbour Master, Portsmouth
“So how do you fancy taking over as QHM Portsmouth?” asked my Appointer, the man each naval officer is taught, very early on, has more power than most minor deities. Pictures of myself sitting in an ivory tower with my head in the clouds idly telling young Commanding Officers off for poor shiphandling began to drift past my eyes. A barge, a flag, a staff, a residence and a lot of gin all marshalled themselves quickly into their correct positions in the above picture. I remembered my early days in my first navigating job being summoned to Semaphore tower for a telling off by the imposing and rotund figure of the then incumbent. My sin had been to arrive at the harbour entrance 15 minutes early thereby throwing the entire movements plan into chaos. I took my punishment and headed back to DOLPHIN pondering how I could have made such a grave mistake. Funnily enough I subsequently discovered my error – I had added an extra mile to the distance between Nab and OSB!.
“So do you want the job or not?” My Appointer had other miracles to work and was not about to let me continue my reverie on his time. Of course I accepted, I mean who wouldn’t? A few short weeks later the family was in turmoil again as we tried to organise another short notice move but I left the chaos behind in typical man-of-the-house-mode and set off for my new job ready for the first gin. Now a veteran of 6 weeks I can report that much has changed since my last brush with QHM reported above. What hasn’t changed is that QHM still has to be rotund and there is still a lot to drink (Pimms, wine, beer, whisky and indeed gin all enjoyed in good measure and at remarkably little expense - so far). Somebody has invented Europe, the environment, risk analysis, the MCEU, legislation, Crown Estates, consultation, Defence Estates, Europe, litigation, tunnels, PFI’s (I don’t know what it stands for either), privatisation, contractorisation, siltration and Europe. All these things and many more seem to happily fill the time between the sun rising, traversing the sky and descending past the yardarm and well beyond. There is very little time left for the ivory tower, head-in-the-clouds bit. The residence went long ago, the staff has shrunk to Lilliputian dimensions, the barge is operated by a civilian company but at least I still have the flag!
So how does an embryonic QHM survive his first few weeks? The answer is with an awful lot of help from his friends. Indeed the most unexpected bit of the job was just how many new friends I could make in such a short time. I am now a member (indeed Vice Chairman) of the Solent Forum. A group of people who collectively know more about the local area than Ted Heath does about music and yachting combined. I have discovered that wherever I go and whoever I meet they say at our parting “See you at the next Forum meeting.” Of course within this great group I have received most help from my fellow Harbourmasters. With their vast experience (and natural tact) they have guided me gently in the right direction and I am hugely indebted to them
The challenges of running a harbour as large, busy and complex as Portsmouth are mind-boggling. I find myself involved in issues which didn’t even get a passing mention at the Naval College but like my predecessors before me I hope my lack of prejudice and broader naval experience will allow me to make a contribution to the development of this unique and exciting area. First and foremost I am charged with the protection of the Dockyard Port for the unhindered use of Her Majesty’s Ships but after this I am committed to providing an excellent, honest and impartial service to all other users of my water. See you at the next Forum meeting!
Solent Metadatabase
The Solent Metadatabase has changed its name to DISC (Dataset Information of the Solent Catalogue) and the number of datasets in the metadatabase continues to grow. As do the data holding centres! As yet the database is not available o the website but is available to members on request.e.
Summer 2002 Recreation Survey
During the preparation of the Access and Environmental Improvements Strategy it became evident that more information is needed about the use of various coastal recreation sites, the types of visitors that use them, the means of access, and so on. Several factors point to the need for a major recreation study in 2003 (see below). A pilot survey has been carried out during the latter part of this summer, by the Southern Tourist Board on behalf of Hampshire County Council, the Isle of Wight Council and the Solent Forum. Interview surveys were undertaken at Lepe and Fort Victoria Country Parks and on the Lymington Coastal Area Nature Reserve, and observation surveys at Royal Victoria Country Park and on the coastal footpath by the Hook-with-Warsash Nature Reserve.
2003 Recreation Study
The Solent Forum Research Group (SFRG) that was formed to prompt and co-ordinate research initiatives following the Solent Science Conference in 1998 is to change its emphasis from the physical environment (especially natural coastal processes) – research for which is very effectively driven by SCOPAC* – to socio-economic issues, with recreation and tourism as the initial priority. The SFRG is considering holding a major conference on recreation early in 2004, with broad aims similar to those of the 1998 conference: § To clarify the extent of existing knowledge and identify gaps; § To bring together a wide range of organisations to review how existing information is used in policy- and decision-making; § To discuss topical issues and prioritise research needs. A number of recreational studies and strategies were produced in the early 1990s to assist planning and management in the Solent. Since then there has been little such activity, and the information base is increasingly out of date and inadequate. There is a growing feeling that new surveys need to be carried out within the framework of a major comprehensive study that addresses what are considered to be the main priorities. Solent Forum members will shortly be asked for their views on the scope of the study, and how they might want to get involved. The results of the study will make a significant contribution to the 2004 conference.
Solent Conference 2004
An output from the Recreation Study will be a second Solent Conference. The last one took place in 1998 and concentrated on the Solent’s marine environment. Since that time SCOPAC has focussed on the physical processes and associated shoreline defence of this shoreline but there has been little attention to the socio-economic side. The next Solent Science Conference will therefore take Informal Recreation in the Solent as its central theme and it hopes to consider: visitor profiles; impacts of recreation; management of informal recreation; information and interpretation in the Solent.
Nappy Days are Here Again
Kate Ansell went on maternity leave towards the end of August and is not expected back at the Solent Forum Office until the end of March 2003. All wish Kate and family well.
Who’s that girl?
Tracey can still be found at the office full-time and Gemma Conway, who has recently completed a MSc in Coastal and Marine Resource Management at Portmsouth University, will be acting as the Assistant Officer on a part-time basis 3 days a week.
The Solent Forum was established in December 1992, in order to develop a greater understanding among the authorities and agencies involved in the planning and management in the Solent. The Forum is chaired by Maldwin Drummond. This newsletter is the 12th edition. The copy deadline for submission of articles for the Autumn/Winter 2002 edition is 4th October 2002. Please contact the Solent Forum Officers for any further information on the work of the Forum.
