Dear Members
We hope you and yours are staying well in these extraordinary times – I am sure we are all helping our communities wherever and however we can, even if it is simply by sticking to the restrictions that we know are for the good of all, whether on land or sea. These movement restrictions have recently been reinforced by Hants and IOW Constabulary’s Marine Division’s advice to avoid recreational boating, allowing our stretched emergency services to focus where they are most needed.
Trustees are individually working in their own ways to help those affected. As a body we have responded to calls for help on Harbour issues. In one particular case (a winter berth holder caught up in the government’s movement restrictions) this led to a good arrangement where the Harbour (which is clearly facing a significant downturn in its business like so many others) secured a year-long berthing, instead of losing a long term customer. Although there has been no announcement, unsurprisingly and understandably dredging did not commence on the 1st April as it might have done in different circumstances.
The current situation is very unsettling and uncertain, but we must not lose focus on the future of the Harbour. In the better times which are surely to come, its commercial, educational, recreational and ecological role in the community’s wellbeing will be all the more important in helping to build a new normal.
BHT will continue to do everything we can to help ensure that the Statutory Harbour comes through this crisis still able to play its vital role in the recovery of our communities. One thing that we can do now is for everyone to get together to support BHUG’s Groyne repair project; we call on Malcolm Thorpe to bring to an end the limbo imposed on this project so that whatever progress is possible can be made. Then when normality returns the project could finally proceed.
The Trustees Bembridge Harbour Trust