Yesterday, I attended a meeting with local groups with an interest in the Seafront at Seaford.  The enviroment agency works, throughout the winter months to ensure that Seaford maintains its flood defences from the sea. This has been maintained by building up a shingle shelf of beach along the promenade, with some  angled shelving towards the high tide mark. Work is constantly continuing to maintain the shingle, as  the prime flood defence from the sea. Storm damage in December, moved the shingle leaving certain parts of the seafront more exposed and therefore more at risk of flooding, although contractors from the Environment Agency have been working hard to restore , this to the pre storm level. Works are undertaken during the winter months during the highest risk, whilst although certain manitence may be required in the summer months, less work is carried out , so that residents, and vistors can enjoy our beachfront and local amenities.

The local community have a Seaford Seafront Theme Group, run through the Community partnership, where members of the community are involved in creating projects such as the ‘ sunken garden’.  Currently they are working with local students at primary and secondary schools alongside a local university to design interesting ideas for the future of the Seafront. An exhibition at the Crypt, in March is hopefully  planned to showcase these ideas. Friends of Tidemills are also represented, at the meeting and are a another community group, proactively working to restore and clean up the ‘ Tidemills’ area of the beach. Both groups undertake regular beach clean ups and are commited to the Seaford Community.

Please see http://www.seafordpartners.co.uk/  and  http://tidemills.webs.com/ for further details of these groups

Whilst researching this piece, I came across an interesting website showing how Seaford’s seafront has changed over the century, through erosion and through flood prevention design, I found it enlighting about our past http://www.sussex.ac.uk/geography/researchprojects/coastview/Rendels_postcards/seaford_head.htm

Seaford is very lucky to have a dedicated team of voluntary lifeguards, who patrol our beach most weekends in the summer and are extremely committed and highly skilled. There has been some concern regarding the vandalism and damage of Lifesaving equipment on the Seafront, which I personally found very shocking. This equipment could save someones life! The Lifeguards told me that they take education of our local school children very seriously and that they regulaly visit our schools to explain beach safty and the importance of the equipment. They also teach what to do in an emergency. If life is at risk dial 999 and ask for the coastguard!  The Coastguard is based along the coast in Newhaven. The Lifeguards have a  summer base  by the Salts, but they also have a beach hut near the Martello, next to one of the coffee kiosks!  It is hoped that new lifesaving equipment will be provided and that it will be less able to be damaged or vanalised!

Please see: http://www.seafordlifeguards.org/ for further details of the lifeguards essential and entirely voluntary work! Thank you!