By Jacky Woolcock and John Charlish and originally written for Beach News

The restraints of lockdown have been difficult for FoSB. All outdoor events like the flower walk had to be cancelled.  The invasive species, especially Three Cornered Garlic and Silver Ragwort, rejoiced and flourished unhindered by volunteer clearing events.  Litter picking by dedicated individuals has been much appreciated. The lockdown easing, fine weather and Bank Holidays brought hordes to the beach. Those who have lived here a while cannot remember the beach being so full at the Eastern end right to the Harbour Arm. This led to a massive increase in litter both on the beach and around the bins and a stalwart effort was required by both individuals and the Adur Council clean up teams to try and restore the beach to its normally clean condition. A huge Thank You to all those who picked up the litter on the beach, to Adur Council for getting the bins emptied so speedily and to Joss Loader for getting  the Council to provide more bins and Parking Wardens!  Our thanks also to the council for the Western extension of the board walk from Ferry Road. It has been much used and shingle plants are flourishing to the North and South of it reflecting the general increase in Vipers Bugloss and the decrease in clovers because of the dry weather.

One thing that is possible, even in a time of social distancing, is to take part in FoSB’s Summer Photo Competition. All you need to do is capture an image of Shoreham Beach Local Nature Reserve between June 5th and August 31st which you think reflects the title “The Beach in Summer“. The competition is open to all, including children and young people. If you would like to submit an image, and there are some great prizes, then please look at our website www.fosbeach.com  and Facebook Page for further details on how to upload your images.  Winning photographs will be displayed at the Skyway Gallery in Pond Road in October ( hopefully)

Being isolated in lock down has meant that FoSB, like everyone else, has relied heavily on social media to keep in touch with members and friends. Our Facebook page is being a valuable tool keeping friends and members in touch with the LNR and its wildlife with posts regularly experiencing 500-1000 views. We were unable to have a Flower Walk but we now have Flower of the Week on Facebook and the website. There is a weekly post of one of the Beach Flowers with relevant information.

Other changes are afoot within the FoSB Committee.  Dr Jacky Woolcock, our current Chair, wishes to step down from the role next year while retaining her position as Botanical advisor on the committee.  John Young, our Treasurer since January 2009, has decided to retire next year.  It was decided to split the Chair role in two having an administrative Chair and a Local Nature Reserve Coordinator. 

FoSB member Jim Marshall has come forward to take on the role of chair and will be a great addition to our team, bringing significant expertise from his business role in the management of water. He writes,” As a Shoreham resident for 20 years, 13 of which on the Beach, I have always admired the beauty of the nature right on my doorstep. Sure the beach is a place to kick back and relax with friends and family (Covid-safely!) and enjoy the history of the Fort  but when you look a little harder and a little quieter there is so much more going on. The colours of the vegetation are stunning and the scurry of lizards just too fast to see is mesmerising. Like many Shoreham families we have taken part in beach cleanstaken information from the FOSB stall at farmers markets and other community events and went rock pooling when the summer tides and weather allowed. I am delighted now to be able to put more into FOSB.” 

Barry Ward is well known as the treasurer at the Church of the Good Shepherd and has stepped forward to take up the role of treasurer next year. 

We welcome them both and look forward to getting together with them as a committee as soon as isolation rules allow. Both are shadowing at the moment and will be formally take up their new roles at the next AGM in February 2021.

Jacky is continuing her role as the volunteer Local Nature Reserve Coordinator.  We need someone to come on the committee and work alongside her and eventually take over the role.

Keep up to date with all that is going on by 

• joining our mailing list by contacting us on friendsofshorehambeach@gmail.com
• following us on Facebook: Friends of Shoreham Beach or Twitter @FriendsofShorehambeach   

 Keep Safe and get photographing

Jacky Woolcock and John Charlish

This article was originally written for Beach News – This magazine is a 40-page, full colour magazine produced by Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association.