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The  Meeting was opened with a  very informative  presentation given by  Deputy Director Sean Furey  from Protect Kent ( formerly known as the Council for the Protection of Rural England) , followed by an excellent presentation  by Clive Older (EA)   which  presented a good opportunity to all those DOC Members  who attended to listen to the latest update from the Environment Agency .

This  included details of  the Long Term Investment Strategy and the Climate Change report from Defra and further details on the  UK Climate Change Projections 2009. Read more »

The Environment Agency has prepared a further update on  the Sea Defence Scheme presently under construction at Dymchurch, including  Artist’s impression and plan view. Once completed , this project which will reduce flooding for nearly two and a half thousand homes in Dymchurch.

EA Chairman Chris Smith visits Dymchurch

Lord Smith of Finsbury, who is the Chairman of the Environment Agency,  visited the Romney Marsh today to inspect the progress on the construction of new and much needed  sea defences  at Dymchurch and the Romney Marsh as a whole. He saw at first hand the new sea wall being built along the beach front at Dymchurch  and DOC had an excellent opportunity to emphasise the importance of working closely with local communities in order to  guarantee a successful outcome for our sea defences.  Read more »

DOC Stall at Lydd Club Day 2009

Yet again the Lydd Club Day proved to be  a very successful event for DOC to fly its flag  on the Romney Marsh and to attract new members. Our thanks go to all the DOC volunteers who helped on the day and to all DOC Members and Supporters who had so generously donated prizes for our Tombola - we sold out in less than 2 hours and added much needed funds to our coffers!!! Read more »

…….”The estimated number of homes at risk of flooding is likely to double to about 800,000 within 25 years because of rising sea levels. Average summer temperatures in the South of England will rise by 2C by the 2040s and up to 6.4C by 2080.” ………

Figures released yesterday on the DEFRA Website are the bleakest official assessment yet of the impact of climate change in Britain over the rest of this century. But how realistic are these? Not everyone seems to agree with DEFRA’s interpretation of this data and their proposed plans for our future.

Quality Coast Award 2009

DOC was invited to join the celebrations for the  Quality Coast  Flag Award  2009  recently granted to  Dymchurch in recognition of  its high standard for beach facilities, water quality, cleanliness, car parking facilities  and safe pedestrian access. Cllr. Terry Preston, Chairman of Dymchurch Parish Council , (  also Chairman of DOC) hoisted the flag jointly with the Chairman of Shepway District Council,  Councillor Miss Susan Carey.

Terry Preston/Susan Carey- 17.6.2009 Dymchurch

A  consultation has been launched today by DEFRA addressing the problems associated with flooding and erosion. People who live and work in coastal communities are being invited to have their say in how their community can adapt to the challenges of coastal change and the impact this has on England’s coastline. Closing date for the consultation is 25 September 2009.

To view the entire consultation document on the Coastal Change Policy click this link.

Dymchurch Beach

Dymchurch Parish Council Chairman Terry Preston  ( also Chairman of DOC) was delighted to announce that for the third year running Dymchurch has been awarded the top accolade of Quality Coast! Despite much needed sea defence works  currently in progress by the Environment Agency , Dymchurch has achieved to   keep its amenity beach open to the public and  maintain  its high standard for beach facilities, water quality, cleanliness, car parking facilities  and safe pedestrian access. A flag displaying the beach’s status will be raised on Wednesday, 17 June 2009, at 10.30 am.

The Suttons, Camber

A recent comment,  left on our website , has further highlighted the need for continued and improved shingle defences at the Suttons in Camber. Our Technical Officer Tony Hills has carried out a  site inspection, took photographs  and raised the matter with the Environment Agency. He issued the following statement::-

“The Suttons have special needs when it comes to sea defence. Read more »

DOC has just received a further progress report  from the EA on both the Broomhill Scheme and  the general Folkestone to Cliff End Strategy  which reads as follows:-

Broomhill Scheme

We have recently held two meetings with community representatives to seek ideas and views on the scheme. The Interest Group workshop has allowed us to capture community knowledge, ideas and concerns. The Design Board meeting was planned to ensure that the scheme is safe, practical and maintainable and that opportunities to add value are realised. Membership of both forums was agreed at a meeting with Rother District Council (RDC), East Sussex County Council (ESCC), Camber Visitor Management Initiative (CVMI) and Defend our Coast (DoC) in January 2009. Read more »