Manhood Peninsula Partnership

The silver anniversary edition of the Good Beach Guide, launched online by the Marine Conservation Society, has recommended 516 out of 754 (68%) UK bathing beaches tested last summer as having excellent water quality; this is a rise of 8% more than last year and the best in the Guides 25-year history.

For more information and to download a copy of the guide click HERE.

Billingsgate Seafood School invites you to choose the best seasonal fish and use the recipes on their website to make delicious meals and snacks. Their first Seasonal Newsletter tells you about the best seafood to choose in any season and, more importantly, why.

To download a copy of the newsletter click HERE.

To find out more about sustainable fishing from the Marine Conservation Society click HERE.

The Manhood Peninsula Partnership has announced that Brian Waters, one of its two project leaders, is to resign after 11 years with the organisation. The part-time Partnership was formed under the chairmanship of Councillor Peter Jones in 2001, with local resident Carolyn Cobbold as the other leader. Carolyn had been the driving force for the partnership formation.

MPP exists to provide a more holistic approach to the problems of the peninsula, cutting across disciplines and authorities, and is funded by local councils and other bodies. Brian, a chartered civil engineer, said “MPP has achieved much, probably culminating in the adoption last year by the main planning authorities of Integrated Coastal Zone Management. I have been involved with the area since I started as junior site engineer on Selsey’s coast protection in 1956. I am 78 this year, so it is time for someone else to have a go!”

In 2008 Brian was awarded the MBE for services to maritime engineering and coastal protection in West Sussex.

Open Farm Sunday is an annual event that gives everyone the chance to meet the farmers who grow their food and care for the countryside.

Organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), Manhood Wildlife & Heritage Group are working with Southend Farm to put on this event.

They have barns for displays and presentations and will be utilising the pond area for pond dipping; willow work; bird identification/watching; mini beast hunts, nature/tree tails and lots more. If you would like to have a stall at this event, please complete the attached Application Form by the 30th April 2012 and return it as requested.

The legal paperwork transferring the day-to-day management of core areas of Pagham Harbour from WSCC to the RSPB was completed on the 1st February 2012. It has taken a long time, but it has enabled a great working relationship to develop between the two organisations, who agree that this gives the management of the Harbour its best chance of a sustainable future.

 There are a number of loose ends to tie up, but one of the most important jobs for the RSPB is maintaining the day-to-day service around the reserve so that it is ‘business as usual’ for all the regulars and visitors to Pagham harbour.

 A number of Meet the RSPB days will be set up for the spring so that local people and visitors can raise any issues and concerns, and develop ways to make sure everyone can have an input into the reserve.

Fieldworkers working for Chichester District Council will be at Pagham Harbour over the next couple of weeks, inviting visitors to take part in a questionnaire that is seeking to understand how local residents access the countryside around where they live and how access patterns may change in the future. The surveys are not connected with RSPB or WSCC, except that we have given permission for CDC to be present. Remaining dates for the surveys are 2,3 and 4 Feb.

The RSPB are asking people to take care when decking the halls this winter, and leave some holly for the wildife that need these prickly bushes for food and protection.

Richard James, from the RSPB’s wildlife enquiries team, said: “You can’t beat a bit of holly around the house to make you feel all Christmassy, but as well as it being a pretty plant, holly also plays a very important part in the lives of wildlife at this time of year.

“Taking the odd branch here and there will do no harm at all, but don’t take too much. Removing all the berries or cutting the bush back too much will mean birds and other animals that rely on the plant for food and shelter will be left without. And it could also damage the plant in the long-term too, meaning you won’t have any holly to jolly up your home next year.”

See the RSPB website for some Festive Facts About Holly.

The Government has just released its latest Winter Readiness Report based on figures gathered earlier this year from local councils, who were asked how prepared they were for another winter onslaught. Thankfully the latest research by those looking after our highways shows a number of ways in which councils, including West Sussex, are better prepared than ever to help us through the rigours of winter by using extra salt, new gritters, more salt bins, snow wardens and Gritter Twitter.

Read more about how councils are preparing themselves to help you on the Local Government Association website, or read the Winter Readiness Report for 2011/12.

A consultation has started asking for views on how Chichester District Council manages activities on its foreshore between Pagham and Chichester Harbours. Activities are incredibly varied, including horse riding, fossil hunting, swimming, and sailing among others. The variety, unfortunately, can result in conflicts of interest and the consultation aims to look at a number of options for managing the foreshore to reduce the potential for disagreement.

The consultation, which will focus on water sports, including kite surfing, and other activities on the beach, has now started and will run until Friday 9 December 2011. The results of the consultation will be reported back to the Cabinet in February 2012, so that the operational procedures are ready for next season.

To take part in the survey click HERE and the link will take you to the Watersports & Foreshore Management Survey page of the Council’s website.

The Environment Agency has released the most recent update about progress of work on the Medmerry Realignment Scheme, and a proposed timetable for future works, including breach of the Medmerry shingle embankment.

Read more in the October Update provided by the Environment Agency