The choice of events today was either a day of cricket at Tunbridge Wells or a ceremony on Dymchurch beach to mark the award of a Green Flag for the beach. Dymchurch wins hands down.
The beaches at Dymchurch are sandy, wide and just what an English seaside should be. It’s an ideal spot for families and I see many already enjoying the fine weather. What’s not so obvious is the major work under way to improve the sea defences along this stretch of the coast and that’s because the Environment Agency have phased the work so that the amenity beach stays open for the summer.
The Green Flag ceremony today is partly to publicise that the beach is remaining open but it’s also a celebration of the work under way to improve the beach and the Green Flag is a step on the way to achieving Blue Flag status. Together with Dymchurch Parish Council chairman, Terry Preston, I run the flag up the flagpole. This is the first time I have raised a flag and I’m relieved to see that it is the right way up.
Flying the Flag at Dymchurch
This is another event with a good turnout from Shepway. The District Councillor for the Dymchurch ward, Russell Tillson, Councillor Michael Lyons (standing in for the cabinet member for Technical and Environmental Health) and from the officers there’s David East and Lisa.
Peter from the Environment Agency with Parish Council chairman Terry Preston
After looking at the plans for the sea defences which are scheduled for completion in 2011, we adjourn to Dr Syn’s Restaurant for tea and coffee. Dr Syn is a famous (fictional) son of Dymchurch who was both a pirate, highwayman as well as being a clergyman. He is the creation of author Russell Thorndike. The Restaurant is full of paintings of Dr Syn in his disguise as ‘The Scarecrow’. Overlooked by Dr Syn and his Nightriders, Peter Anidjar-Romain of the Environment Agency talks about the vast scale of the sea defence work. The total project will cost £60 million and be good for at least the next 100 years. I am glad to learn that Dymchurch and its lovely beach will be so well protected for so many years.
Dr Syn the Scarecrow