Newsletter No. 4

Newsletter Number 4

October 2008

During the summer months we have successfully promoted DOC at various local events.  This has not only increased our membership, but also added to the funds needed to continue producing leaflets and other promotional material.  We welcome all new members and thank our existing members for their continued support.

We have also increased and expanded our contacts with various local organisations, giving DOC further gravitas in its role as communicator on behalf of local people on the Marsh regarding flood and coastal defence issues.  Both our MPs (Michael Foster and Michael Howard) have continued to be very supportive, and we also thank all County, District, Town and Parish Councillors for their valid input over the last few months. Working in unison has strengthened our cause and we were recently recognized by the Environment Agency in one of their summary reports as follows:

‘Alongside, but independent of the LFLG, an advocacy group, Defend Our Coast (DOC), has developed as a result of local concerns about a perceived lack of transparency around, and the possible impacts of, certain options that were under consideration during development of the strategy.   DOC has acted as a channel for lobbying on certain issues, especially regarding ‘holding the line’, and as a channel to assist in raising awareness locally of flood risk management, the draft strategy, and the need for local people to tell us what they think of it’

In our last newsletter we told you that we were planning a website to promote DOC.  Most of you will know by now that the website is up and running.  www.defendourcoast.org.uk will serve as an excellent communication tool, and we offer our thanks again to all the volunteers who have made this possible.  The website is being updated on a regular basis and we are grateful to Brigitte Bass and Pat Brazier for so quickly learning to operate the site.  If you have access to the internet, please check the site regularly for the latest information and diary dates.  We will continue to supply all other  members who are not linked to the internet with all important information by post, but please keep us updated with your email address details .

Our recent DOC Open Meeting on 26 September 2008 in Lydd was very well attended, very informative and generally regarded as a great success.  David Crowther, Communications Officer for  the Environment Agency, and Andrew Pearce, Area Flood Risk Manager for Kent/East Sussex (EA), attended the meeting and gave a PowerPoint presentation outlining their summary report on the consultation and the next stages in the development of the strategy for our sea defences. We will obviously keep you updated on any progress as and when it becomes available.  DOC will continue to engage with all relevant organisations and monitor their progress carefully.

There is as always room for additional support, and we continue to be grateful for the recruitment of any new members. So please spread the word, as it will be in all of our interests to protect the Marsh from flooding.

If there are any matters you would like to discuss or information you require from DOC, please contact our PR & Press Officer, Brigitte Bass, Tel: 01797 225255 or email: info@defendourcoast.org.uk.