Spirit of the Sea Photographic Competition

Chesil Bank and the Fleet Nature Reserve and the Spirit of the Sea Festival are running a photography competition with a 'Spirit of the Sea' theme. The judges are looking for images that evoke the special qualities of our coastline and sea, either the physical environment itself or those people or creatures that live, work or play there. See the Chesil Beach Photo Competition (opens in a new window)
Closing date: 16 July 2011

Eneco release public opinion survey results

Eneco, developers of the Navitus Bay Wind Park, have released the results from a public opinion survey investigating attitudes towards renewable energy and the proposed Navitus Bay Wind Park of people living on the south coast. View the Navitus Bay public opinion survey results (opens in a new window)

New Dorset Seafood Cook Book

In association with the Dorset Seafood Festival, local publisher, Resort Marketing, is launching a new Dorset Seafood Cook Book. The recipes within the book are all supplied by featured Dorset restaurants, making this very much a local publication together with local fisheries information.
The cook book is available at the Festival (9th, 10th July) and is available from the DCF team, cost £5 (£1 donated to the Fisherman's mission).  For a copy contact Matilda at the Dorset Coast Forum. Dorset Coast Forum contact details
 

Marine Conservation Zones for Dorset - the latest update

The Science Advisory Panel have provided their response on the draft final reports of Finding sanctuary. To view, see the  DEFRA Finding Sanctuary Response (opens in a new window) .

Poole Harbour Commissioners releases Annual Marine Safety Report

The aim of the Annual Marine Safety Report is to appraise the Board of the work that has been undertaken in the Harbour Master's Department in the last 12 months, with particular emphasis on marine safety. Downloaded the  PHC Annual Marine Safety Report (opens in a new window)

New Studland Bay Kayak Wildlife trail

Dorset Wildlife Trust, National Trust and Studland Seaschool have created a Kayak Wildlife Trail in Studland Bay. The trail was officially launched in June 2011 and starts by the slipway at Middle Beach, Studland. As the trail is unmarked and follows landscape features, there is a waterproof trail guide available to purchase, which shows how to follow the trail and also highlights particular species to look out for along the way. The guide can be purchased from Studland Sea School at Middle Beach, the National Trust shop at Knoll Beach, Studland or online at  Dorset Wildlife Trust website (opens in a new window)

Maritime and Coastguard Agency diving report - Dorset diving accidents are highest in country

The report finds that HM Coastguard responded to 66 decompression illness and 32 rapid ascent incidents in 2010 and highlights that the Dorset coastline saw more scuba diving accidents than anywhere else in the country. Portland Coastguard dealt with 41 separate diving incidents in 2010, three times the national average. The full report can be downloaded at  Department for Transport website (opens in a new window)

RNLI lifeguards patrols return to Christchurch beaches

RNLI lifeguards began safety patrols on beaches in Christchurch on 2 July 2011. The teams will be providing patrols, beach safety information, advice on any potential hazards and first aid treatment on Friars Cliff, Avon Beach and Highcliffe Castle for the peak season from 2 July until 4 September 2011. Elsewhere in Dorset, RNLI lifeguard patrols will also start on Manor Steps, East Cliff and Canford Cliffs in Poole Bay; Greenhill in Weymouth; and Lyme Regis and West Bay bringing the total number of lifeguarded beaches in Dorset to 21. For more information visit the  RNLI website (opens in a new window)

Portland Port news

Refurbishment of Queens Pier - Portland Port are investing £3.5 million for the refurbishment of Queen's Pier. The work will maintain, conserve and extend the pier to allow more large vessels, commercial and cruise ships to moor along the quayside in Portland. The work is being undertaken by Kier Construction
Portland Port have launched their new website: http://www.portland-port.co.uk/
Full news on Portland port can be found in the  June 2011 - Portland Port newsletter (opens in a new window)

Osmington White Horse Restoration project update

The restoration project for the Osmington White horse are working with English Heritage and Ordnance Survey who are in the process of finalising a groundwork survey and a photogrammetric survey of the horse. Combining the surveys will provide a sound evidence base for establishing the historic profile of the horse. Volunteer groups for the weekends of 9-10 July and 15-17 July will be working on cutting out and re-turfing sections.
For further information contact John Hayes at j.hayes@dorsetcc.gov.uk or visit the  Osmington White Horse website (opens in a new window)

The Jurassic Coast and the National Trust are launching their flagship education programme to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games   

The Big Jurassic Classroom aims to help all school children in Dorset and East Devon learn about their local World Heritage Site through the Olympic and Paralympic Values.
The programme will be officially launched on Monday 11 July at the Dorset Olympic Education Conference at the Portland Heights Hotel. The main aim of the Big Jurassic Classroom is to inspire teachers across Dorset and East Devon to use their local World Heritage Site as a tool for learning across a wide range of subjects at primary and secondary level. More information can be found at the  Jurassic Coast - Get Olympic inspiration in the Big Jurassic Classroom (opens in a new window)

Jurassic coast Design-a-saur or tell a dino tale competition

The Jurassic Coast has teamed up the Natural History Museum and First Great Western to offer three sets of family tickets plus train travel to the lucky winners of an exciting kids' competition. By drawing their own dinosaur, designing a poster for a Jurassic journey or writing a dinosaur story, children in three age groups could win two adult and three child tickets to the exhibition as well as complimentary train tickets to London and back. For full details about the competition, go to Jurassic Coast Competition (opens in a new window)    
Competition closing date: 22 July 2011

RNLI HQ in Poole opens its doors to the public this weekend

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will be opening its headquarters and The Lifeboat College on 9th and 10th July, where the charity's lifeboat crews and lifeguards train. There will be displays, demonstrations and tours. Additionally, the charity will be opening the doors to its brand new shop in The Lifeboat College and there will be a chance to see a variety of RNLI historical items, including model lifeboats and medals on display in the refurbished reception area. See the RNLI - Lifeboats Media Invite (opens in a new window)

• Dorset Coast Forum Co-ordinator
  Name: Bridget Betts
  Email: b.betts@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224760
  Full details for Bridget Betts
• Dorset Coast Forum Policy Assistant
  Name: Matilda Bark
  Email: m.bark@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224833
  Full details for Matilda Bark