Newsletter - August'10

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Regional Campaigns

NORTH EAST COAST REGION

 Beverley Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Bill Rigby
Address — 3 Norwood, Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17 9ET
Telephone — 01482-862085
E-mail — bill@voice-international.net
Meetings — Please contact Bill Rigby for details

 Carole Zagrovic (NE Regional Campaigns Co-ordinator) 
Contact — Carole Zagrovic
Address — 63 Seaton Crescent, Staithes, North Yorkshire TS13 5AY
Telephone — 01947-841233
E-mail — carole.zagrovic@foe.co.uk
Issues — Carole lives in Staithes and is particularly concerned about the quality of the sea bathing waters there — see relevant page on MARINET website for details www.marinet.org.uk/ukbw/gbeachg.html#yorkshire. She is also concerned by the levels of pollution in the River Tees and its estuary which are caused by local industries. In addition, she has kept a close eye on the impact of the waste arising from the "ghost ships" from the USA which have been brought to the area for breaking-up.

 CASSS - Campaign Against Sewage in the Sea at Sunderland 
Contact — Eddy Moore
Address — 55 Canon Cockin Street, Hendon, Sunderland SR2 8PW
Telephone — 0191-514 1887
E-mail — mooreeddy@hotmail.co.uk
Meetings — Please contact Eddy Moore
Issues — As the title explains this is a campaign and is still ongoing after some 12 years and it is fair to say even more heavily involved in the same issues as when this all started BUT now there casts series doubts on the management/control/permissions of the massive expenditures you have had to finance through your water rates?
BUT, not going to give up yet, another 12 years???

 Durham Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Clare Stancliffe
Address — 216 Gilesgate, Durham DH1 1QN
Telephone — 0191-383 2634
E-mail — C.E.Stancliffe@durham.ac.uk
Meetings — Please contact Clare Stanclife
Issues — Campaigning for an effective UK Marine Bill which will deliver extensive highly protected marine reserves.

 George Berry (Affiliate Member)
Address — Sewerby Road, Bridlington, Yorkshire YO16 6TL
Telephone — 01262-673660
E-mail — george_berry@hotmail.co.uk
Issues — Particularly concerned about the pollution at Sewerby Steps, Bridlington, where there is an industrial discharge outfall pipe. The East Riding Council warning sign at the cliff top advises against paddling or bathing in the area due to polluting discharges

 Hull Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Hull FOE Co-ordinator: Sue Jolliffe
Address — Sue Jolliffe: 47 Kingsway, Cottingham, Hull HU16 5BB
Telephone — Sue Jolliffe: 01482 845958
E-mail — Sue Jolliffe: sue@jolliffe.karoo.co.uk
Meetings — Please contact Sue Jolliffe for details.

 Robert Latimer (Affiliate Member) 
Contact — Robert Latimer
Address — Shell Hill, Bents Road, Whitburn, Tyne and Wear SR6 7NT
Telephone — 0191-529 2276
E-mail — robert@latimers.com
Issues — Robert Latimer has a strong interest in local marine pollution issues. In particular, the quality of local bathing waters, sewage pollution and the disposal of waste at sea, including the dumping at sea of contaminated marine sediment from the Port of Tyne.

 North Tyneside Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Tim Watson
Address — 68 Falmouth Road, Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE6 5NT
Telephone — 0191-2651812
E-mail — variedthrush@hotmail.com
Meetings — Please contact Tim Watson for details.
Issues — Our Group has about 4 miles of north-east coastline with a voluntary marine reserve. Also, a fishing port/village with a history of inshore fisheries and a once thriving deep sea industry.
Our members are involved in regular surveys of coastline birds, and are available to count dead birds/cetaceans if necessary. We liaise with a university marine laboratory in the area, and we are up to date with developments relating to seabird conservation nationally and internationally e.g. albatrosses. We also have a member who has a deep interest in inshore fisheries and their communities.
Additionally, we monitor water quality, industrial fishing, sea temperature change, and marine aggregate dredging. If these or any other marine/coastal issue interests you, please get in touch with us.

EAST COAST REGION

 CoastNet (Affiliate member) 
Contact — Dr. Theresa Redding
Address — The Gatehouse, Rowhedge Wharf, High Street, Rowhedge, Essex CO5 7ET
Telephone — 01206-728644
E-mail — admin@coastnet.org.uk
Website — www.coastnet.org.uk
Issues — CoastNet's mission is to safeguard the world's coast and those communities of people and wildlife that depend upon it for their future. To do this CoastNet works with all coastal interests to promote the exchange of ideas, information and expertise to find long term solutions.

 Harwich Peninsula Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Jenni Meredith
Address — 8 Marine Parade, Dovercourt, Harwich, Essex CO12 3JX
Telephone — 01255-552423
E-mail — jen.snowtrax@freeuk.com
Meetings — Please contact Jenni Meredith
Issues — Harwich Penisula FOE (formerly Stour and Orwell FOE) formed to campaign against the destruction of our SSSI/ SPA/ Ramsar site at Bathside Bay. The Public Inquiry finally led to an approval, unfortunately, but we are still campaigning to limit damage and against deep dredging. We also campaign to save the sabella beds in the estuary which are unique in UK waters for their size and quality; spreading over approx 80 hectares or more.
The dense beds of sabella worm provide a valuable ecosystem to shelter nursery fry, for crabs, sponges, shrimps etc. It is essential that they are protected in law. However they are poor relation (legally) to their cousin sabellaria, which is an Annex II (EU Habitats Directive) worm. Sabella can be equally important. The value of an ecosystem like this is dependent on the size of the beds, the quality of the colonisation, not only on the species of worm that constitutes it.
We have recently campaigned against an attempt by the would-be developers to alter conditions attached to their container port approval of 2006. This issue is as yet unresolved, and we are all awaiting the outcome of the planning applications.

 Mid-Essex Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Maike Windhorst
Address — Mount Holly, Castledon Road, Downham, Essex CM11 1LH
Telephone — 01268-733163
E-mail — m.windhorst@mountholly.telinco.co.uk
Meetings — Please contact Maike Windhorst
Issues — Mid-Essex FOE are concerned about the industrial and radioactive pollution that arises from the Bradwell nuclear power station located on the Blackwater estuary. They are also involved with the pollution of the river basins for the River Crouch, River Can and River Chelmer, and flood risks in these rivers along with the Blackwater and Colne estuaries. Some of the sea defences in these areas have been given up to create wildlife areas, and Mid-Essex FOE has an interest in these decisions. They also concentrate on Zero waste and transport.

 Norwich & Norfolk Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Jennifer Parkhouse, Norwich FOE Co-ordinator
Address — 42/46 Bethel Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1NR
Telephone — 01603-427767   MOBILE — 07864-674014
E-mail — foenorwich@hotmail.com
Meetings — Please contact the co-ordinator for details.
Issues — Norwich & Norfolk FOE is particularly concerned with marine aggregate dredging offshore from Great Yarmouth and the impact that this activity has on the erosion of the beaches and coastline in East Anglia, along with its impact on local fisheries and marine biodiversity. Also of concern is the quality of local bathing waters and the discharge of sewage which affects this quality. The specialist contact within Norwich & Norfolk FOE is Pat Gowen. He may be contacted by telephone or fax on 01603-402554, by SKYPE as PatGowen1932, or by e-mail pat.gowen@ntlworld.com

 SE Essex Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Denis Walker
Telephone — 08444-841239
E-mail — info@seefoe.org.uk
Website — www.seefoe.org.uk
Meetings — Please contact Denis Walker

 Shut Down Sizewell Campaign 
Contact — Charles Barnett
Address — Tudor House, St James Street, Dunwich, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3DU
Telephone — 01728-648300
E-mail — jfulcher@freenetname.co.uk
Meetings — Please contact Charles Barnett
Issues — We are particularly concerned about offshiore dredging and erosion of the coast of Sizewell, Suffolk, where the Sizewell A and B nuclear power stations are situated, and maybe a future Sizewell C and/or a Sizewell D.

SOUTH EAST COAST REGION

 Bromley Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Secretary — Ray Watson
Address — Birch House, Grays Road, Westerham, Kent TN16 2JB
Telephone — 01959-571566
E-mail — raywatson@iclway.co.uk
Contact — Marinet — Sheila Brown
Address — 80 Gelentrammon Road, Green Street Green, Orpington, Kent BR6 6DG
Telephone — 07776-135570
E-mail — sheilabrown336@msn.com
Meetings — Please contact the secretary for further details
Issues — Bromley FOE is not located near the sea, but is trying to educate its members, and members of the public who are interested, in marine matters.

 East Kent Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Stuart Cox
Address — 1 Devon Avenue, Walmer, Deal, Kent CT14 7SE
Telephone — 01304-363729
E-mail — sfcox@cooptel.net
Meetings — Please contact Stuart Cox for details

SOUTH COAST REGION

 East Dorset Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Angela Pooley
Address — 22 Chigwell Road, Bournemouth BH8 9HW
Telephone — 07944-657982
E-mail — eastdorsetfoe@yahoo.co.uk
Meetings — Contact Angela Pooley for details

 Gosport and Fareham Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Dilys Harrison
Address — 11 Crawford Drive, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 7RN
Telephone — 01329-235200
Meetings — Contact Dilys Harrison

 Guildford and Waverley Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Martin Thomas
Address — 8 Queens Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 0HP
Telephone — 01252-687451
E-mail — martin.thomas99@ntlworld.com
Meetings — Please contact Martin Thomas for details

 Havant Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Sue Holt
Address — Wood Grange, Manor Road, Hayling Island, Hampshire PO11 0QL
Telephone — 02392-780943
E-mail — s.l.holt@btinternet.com
Issues — Beach clean-ups, nature conservation work which features biodiversity studies aimed at ensuring local authorities and companies stick to regulations. Also sea level issues, flooding and the effect on environmental concerns.
Meetings — Meetings held every 3rd Wednesday of month but do contact Sue Holt on 02392-780943 for confirmation.

 Manhood Peninsula Friends of the Earth (West Sussex) 
Contact — Gina Carrington
Address — Hope Cottage, Highleigh Road, Highleigh, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7NR
Telephone — 01243-641145
E-mail — ginac@berendon.fsnet.co.uk
Meetings — General Group Meetings are held quarterly and the Coastal Strategy Group meets once a month. Please contact Gina Carrington for details.
Issues — The Group is interested in all things to do with Coastal Strategy and Inshore Waters, with particular relevance to their area.
Other issues on which the Group is working at the present time are:-

• Fisheries, over-fishing and pair trawling for undersized bass in conjunction with a French conservation group
• Cetacean deaths
• Marine reserves
• Climate change
• Marine aggregate extraction
• Pollution

Please contact the Group if you would like to become involved in this work, or would just like more information.

 New Forest Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Sarah Fawkes
E-mail — duncan.sarah@virgin.net
Website — www.nffoe.org.uk
Meetings — Please contact above for details.

 Portsmouth Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Caroline Scott
Address — 15 Locksway Road, Milton, Portsmouth PO4 8JN
Telephone — 023-922 91118
Meetings — Contact Caroline Scott for details.
Issues — Particularly concerned about dredging and the forthcoming big dredging application in Portsmouth and Langstone Harbour.

SOUTH WEST COAST REGION

 David Bailey (member of Teignbridge Friends of the Earth) 
Contact — David Bailey
Address — 27 North Lodge Close, Dawlish, Devon EX7 9QD
Telephone — 01626-866985
E-mail — davidpbailey77@hotmail.com
Issues — David Bailey is not actively campaigning on marine issues at present, but believes strongly in the protection of the marine environment. He would welcome contact from those local people who share his concern and wish to campaign He is also involved with beach cleaning two or three times a year and would welcome help with this.

 Falmouth Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Betty Levene
Address — 30 Truro Lane, Penryn, Kernow TR10 8BW
Telephone — 01326-377447
E-mail — betty184@btinternet.com
Meetings — Please contact Betty Levene
Issues — The Group is involved with an annual beach clean, issues surrounding a cruise-liner terminal and a related harbour dredging scheme, and the ship-to-ship transfer of crude oil in local waters.

 Geoffrey Young and Associates 
Address — Bickington Lodge House, Main Road, Bickington, Barnstaple, North Devon EX31 2LJ
Telephone — 01271-375550
Meetings — Please contact Geoffrey Young
Issues — Fisheries, protection of cetaceans and marine mammals, and the extraction of aggregate (sand and gravel) from marine sources.

 Port Navas Quay Preservation Group 
Contact — Michael Bruton
Telephone — 07979-274525
E-mail — portnavasquay@hotmail.co.uk
Web Site — www.preserveportnavasquay.co.uk
Issues — The Port Navas Quay Preservation Group is a local group based on the Helford River in SW Cornwall. The Helford River is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There is also a significant marine Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) situated at Tremerlin on the south side of the Helford River. We are campaigning to protect the once pristine nature and beauty of the Helford for ever and for all. Our Mission is “Working together to preserve and protect Port Navas Quay and the wider Helford River Environment”. Our website describes the key issues affecting the future of the Helford — it is imperative that marine life in the SAC/SSSI is protected and enhanced.

 South Gloucestershire Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Alan Pinder
Telephone — 01454416778
E-mail — coordinator@southglosfoe.org
Website — www.southglosfoe.org.uk
Meetings — Please contact the Co-ordinator for details.
Issues — There are a broad spectrum of environmental issues that impact on us locally, nationally and internationally. At our recent AGM a ballot was taken in order to establish priorities for the group to focus on, with the following result:

1. Genetic Modification (GM) and the pressure to grow GM crops in the UK. Our Group ran a very successful campaign in 2002/2003 which resulted in South Gloucestershire Council becoming the first Unitary Authority to declare its GM Free status.
2. Renewable Energy — to include addressing the issues concerning the proposed Severn Tidal Barrage.
3. New Nuclear Build — Oldbury Nuclear Power Station has had its working life extended by two years until 2010, despite the fact that both reactors at the plant have been shut down for long periods in recent years because of fears for their safety. The Government is now proposing to build a new — as yet untested — reactor on the same site (on the banks of the Severn).

These are complex issues requiring a lot of campaigning time and energy. If you live in our area and share our concerns, please join us — you will be most welcome!

CHANNEL ISLANDS

 Jersey FOE 
Contact — Rob Duhamel
Address — 5 Douro Terrace, Le Mont Pinel, St Saviour, Jersey JE2 7RS
Telephone — 01534-724776
Meetings — Please contact Rob Duhamel for details

WELSH COAST REGION

 Barry & Vale Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Max Wallis
Address — 48 Westbourne Road, Penarth CF64 3HF
Telephone — 02920-210708
E-mail — k.stockdale@homecall.co.uk
Meetings — First Tuesday of each month — see www.foe.co.uk/app/localgroups?action=display&groupid=11315
Issues — Of major interest and concern is the proposed Severn Barrage for tidal power, seen as a development project that would severely damage the local area. Barry & Vale FoE has compared the barrage and alternatives for generating electricity from the tides, coming out in favour of MW-sized tidal stream generators. See www.marinet.org.uk/refts/severn.html
Barry & Vale FoE is also interested in upgrading the conservation status of the Severn Estuary upstream of the islands (SPA; delayed SAC, Ramsar site).
The group is concerned about sewage works by-pass discharges, which operate frequently at higher rainfall and probably cause significant bacterial loading at local bathing beaches. Welsh beaches are failing the Blue Flag standard (ie. three or more exceedances out of 20 samples per season) including Jacksons Bay, Barry and Southerndown near Ogmore in 2006. See www.marinet.org.uk/ukbw/gbeachg.html#welsh The failures are officially due to run-off from pastures carrying farm animals, but the Vale of Glamorgan has practically none.
Barry & Vale FoE also campaign on quarrying, arguing for the use of secondary aggregates (large stock of flyash; C&D waste) to replace quarried and dredged aggregates.

NORTH WEST COAST REGION

 Central Lancashire Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Aidan Turner-Bishop
Address — 61 The Boulevard, Frenchwood, Preston, Lancashire PR1 4PH
Telephone — 01772-824154
E-mail -aidantb@phonecoop.coop
Website — www.foe-centrallancs.co.uk/
Meetings — Please contact Aidan Turner-Bishop for details.
Issues — The Group is particularly concerned about the condition and health of the Irish Sea, about radioactive pollution, the condition of the region’s estuaries, and the prospect of tidal barrages being used to generate electricity.

 Chester 
Contact — Ms. Viv Mountford (Affiliate member)
Telephone — 01244-317564
Issues — Pollution issues in the Mersey area.

 Isle of Man Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Phil Corlett
Address — Boxwood Cottage, 14 Victoria Place, Douglas, Isle of Man IM2 4ET
Telephone — 01624-673484
E-mail — phil.corlett@manx.net
Website — www.foe.org.im
Issues — The group actively support opposition against marine aggregate dredging of the Isle of Man's coasts. Also working with other environmental groups, stakeholders and participants in the Isle of Man Government's current marine reserves consultations.
Additionally, working to raise awareness of new nuclear build in the UK (Cumbria) which is a danger to the Isle of Man i.e. leaks, acidents and reprocessing. The members of the group support/organise/monitor beach cleans on the Island.

 Manchester Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Abigail Herron
Address — Green Fish Resource Centre, 46-50 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE
Telephone — 0161-234 2974 (voicemail only) / 07815-51 34 69
E-mail — abi@manchesterfoe.org.uk
Meetings — Please contact Abigail Herron
Issues — Marine Reserves and marine conservation in general

 South Lakeland Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Margaret Sanders
Address — 28 Castle Crescent, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 7AN
Telephone — 01539-740237
E-mail — margaret@goosander.demon.co.uk
Meetings — Contact Margaret Sanders for details
Issues — Marine issues in general, and radioactive pollution and beach clean-ups in particular

 Southport FOE 
Contact — William Bethnuin or Lou Simans
Address — William Bethnuin, 13 Haig Avenue, Southport, Merseyside PR8 6LD
Lou Simans, 35 Court Road, Southport PR9 9ET
Telephone — William Bethnuin, 01704-545924
Lou Simans, 01704-540590
Meetings — Contact William or Lou for details.
Issues — The Sefton Coast, which includes Southport, is noted for its sand dunes, fine beaches and extensive bathing waters, pine woods and its estuaries which support many wild birds. Southport FOE is concerned, in particluar, with sewage pollution of its sea bathing waters, with aggregate (sand and gravel) extraction from offshore in Liverpool Bay, with marine reserves, beach clean-ups and with the conservation of all of the natural features of the coast. Its members can advise on issues relating to conservation and pollution.

NORTHERN IRELAND COAST REGION

 Banbridge and Mourne Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Bonnie Horsmann
Address — Quivala, 25 Sentry Box Road, Annaclone, Banbridge, Co. Down, N.Ireland BT32 5BD
Telephone — 028-4067 1616
E-mail — bonniehorsman@yahoo.co.uk
Issues — The group is concerned, in particular, with the quality of bathing waters, sewage pollution and marine reserves.

 Downpatrick Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Keith Bradford
Address — The Walled Garden, Finnebrogue, Downpatrick, Co. Down, N.Ireland BT30 9AA
Telephone — 028-446 12260
Issues — Downpatrick FOE is concerned with all marine pollution and conservation issues and, in particular, the protection of sea birds. Please contact Keith Bradford for further details.

SOUTH INLAND REGION

 Milton Keynes Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Andrew Lockley
Address — 5 Park View, Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire MK16 9AD
Telephone — 07866-777823
E-mail — andrew@lockley.me.uk
Meetings — Please contact Andrew Lockley for details.
Issues — Milton Keynes is a large consumer of aggregates, and Milton Keynes FOE is interested in where they are sourced from and the associated environmental impact.

 Wycombe Friends of the Earth 
Contact — Mike Chadwick, Co-ordinator
E-mail —wycombefoe@yahoo.co.uk
Website — www.wycombefoe.org.uk
Meetings — Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, 25 London Road, High Wycombe.

AFFILIATE MEMBERS

 Geoffrey Young 

This is an account of a voyage made during summer 2006 by Geoffrey Young, a MARINET affiliate member, in his catamaran.

Introduction:

Starfish is a forty foot NARAI CLASS catamaran designed by James Wharram. Built and launched from Douglas boatyard in Tarleton, Lancashire. She was then taken down the Douglas river to the port of Preston, from where she made her maiden voyage to Caernarfon.
The largest passage thus far has been from Newlyn to El Ferrol in N.W. Spain. She is a very comfortable boat to sail — a dry boat.
I intend to repeat the passage to northern Spain this year. To meander southwards from her home port of Bideford."

Passage to Milford Haven from Bideford, commenced Saturday 24th June 2006.

We cast off our moorings at 05.30h. Saturday the 24th June 06 to join a languid misty river and flowed with it over the bar out to a calm sunlit sea. With only light airs we dawdled through the day. Idle conversation. Had snacks. Dozed. Porpoises visited us. I do not know why they are attracted to boats, they surfaced and dived all round us for several minutes. Lovely creatures, very visible through the clear-clear water.

We are about half way across the mouth of the Bristol Channel. We have observed puffins, guillemots, gannets and a shoal of pale blue jellyfish. Two pilot whales surfaced some distance away, appeared twice and were gone. Now the breeze has stiffened and the sunset begins to take over the day. A beautiful sky. The Welsh coast is ahead and we have decided to make for Tenby where we anchor for the night, time approx 22.00h. Too late to go ashore so we make a meal. Cold chicken salad — fresh fruit yoghurt — red wine. So to sleep.

Sunday 25th June.

Weighed anchor 09.30h-ish and sailed between Caldy Island and the mainland to gain the tide for Milford Haven. A blue day and a fresh wind. Several sailing boats around. A huge tanker on the horizon. This is a relaxing sail time. The auto pilot system is working well. Sea birds around. Time for tea. We are sailing parallel to the shore, approx. four miles away. The big ships are moving in on us now as we reach Milford Sound which is a very wide estuary. Refineries everywhere. Two huge tankers are approaching. To the west the tall towers of the refinery turn pink in the setting sun — like a vast futuristic temple. I suppose that is what it is — a temple to industry. I do not feel comfortable in these surroundings. A large tug goes by a hundred yards away and we wait for the wash to reach us — bouncy but safe enough. Under motor now we push on further into the fiord. Past the BP dock, Texaco dock, LPG terminals. So much activity, all floodlit — everything an orange glow (the night scene). We are in touch by radio now with the harbour office and are directed into the dock basin, where we moor against a ladder twenty-five feet or so to the top of the dock wall. Omelettes all round with risotto and wine, and then to sleep.

Monday 26th June.

Arose 07.00h-ish. A general deck tidy up. Tea and toast. Hugh and Terry go for a shower. Roger and Janet still below decks. I shall go to the ablutions later when it is quiet, so I walk along the dock wall past the tall ships with their uniformed youthful crews. Past various marquees for snacks, books, souvenirs, information, resting point, all busy because of the drizzly day.

I look out onto a very full marina. Full of boats that is. Just the odd person about. People come down at the weekends I am told.

No one else in the shower room — just as well as I have used the ladies room by mistake due to my misreading of the entrance signs — building alterations, apologies etc. The lady attendant found me shaving in a half dressed state and was amused by the situation, told me not to worry.

We all go to Tesco for lunch. Terry departs, has to go back to work.

Mid-afternoon. We have to change mooring. A factory trawler is coming in. The dock hands do the move and they tie us up near the portugese tall ship. In comes the big trawler. We hear the slow thud, thud of its big engine. Nearer and nearer, taking away the sunlight, and then at the very last moment we hear the engine go into reverse and she slides into the quay. Trawler captains like to tease yachtsmen and show off their bow thrusting technique. There is a lot of metal there and metal boats and wooden boats do not marry.

Out into town this evening to an Indian diner — Hugh is to pay — Milford Haven is a one street town built on a rise. Ten minutes walk and we are through the town. All shops are closed. Seven people in the diner, we five plus a couple and two or three fellows at the bar. Food ok. Taste Indian beer for the first time — no different. 23.00h-ish and back to the dock. All the tall ships have left on the evening tide. We are soon below decks.

Tuesday 27th June.

Fine morning. Everybody on deck by 9.00h for breakfast. Dock gates open at 11.30h. We follow the flotilla out into the sound and turn up river towards the next gathering place. Janet and Roger leave us to sail about in the dingy for the day. They take water and a bag of nuts and dried fruit. Janet is a vegetarian. Roger says he will shoot a duck or two (joke). The day is very blue, quiet and very warm. After motoring against the tide for several hours we drop anchor on the wooded side of the river in the shade of the cliffs. The languid river is now deep and green. Sandwich time with a Guinness, then a snooze on deck. In the woods above the birds are singing. A blackbird sings quite near. On the far side sheep are grazing — and beyond the blackbird singing, further and further still, all the birds of Pembrokeshire (re. Adlestrop — Edward Thomas). A pastoral scene here, yet down river in the wide sound is that vast industrial scene.

We up anchor and make our way slowly up river to the small hamlet of Neyland. Wooded, water meadows, a creek. A scattering of houses, some old, some new. Numerous boats. We must be amongst the last to arrive. A friendly man comes alongside in an inflatable — says he is a water-taxi — thus we gain the shore. The yacht club on the waters edge is throbbing. The wide covered deck is busy. Hugh and I join a large round table where two couples are sitting. They are French people who have sailed up to the regatta from Normandie. We are joined by a smartly uniformed cigar smoking fellow from the German navy (he has come out of the club house to smoke) who is the captain of the GORCH FOX II, a large three masted tall ship. This man is impeccably dressed, has a very neat white beard, a fresh complexion and is conversing with us volubly in a baritone voice in excellent English. I guess that he is in his mid-fifties. The French people also speak good English. On occasion the conversation lapses into french and the captain does likewise. We are joined by the wife of this man who introduces herself. She is wearing a large black mushroom on her head. I ask her the reason for her attire. She explains in excellent english that the blouse and bluchers (low-cut laced bots) including the beret are the national dress of Brittany. She is not french but her parents were. Roger and Janet join us and another round of drinks is called for. The buffet (hot and cold) put on by the club is very good and aplenty, £3 per head. Somewhere someone — a group are singing the Marseillaise. The French butcher man says that they are a crew of rugby players.

It is late and the water taximan is telling us that he has to go home soon. So we go back to our boat which sits quietly on the dark gentle river. Magnificent stars above. A wonderful summer time.

To be continued...

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

 US naval "ghost ships" at Hartlepool 

Hartlepool Friends of the Earth, who have been involved from the outset in contesting the decision to bring disused US naval ships across the Atlantic for breaking in Hartlepool, has written a full account of this episode from when it was first mooted in 2003 to today when the company, Able UK Ltd, now has the licences it needs and is able to proceed. This account records all the details by which the decision "evolved" and shows how the opposition to such a project, however well grounded its case may be in law and evidence, can still be lost when the authorities have a will to determine otherwise.

This account may be seen here.