Subscribe to our newsletterNewsletter September 2007 |
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Chairman's MessageThe summer months have seen a number of successes and a few challenges for the Trust and those who use the harbour. The major successes are the return of the much missed bridge and also the completion of the hard standing in Broadhaven. It is frustrating the power supply to the bridge is not yet in place which is limiting its use, as manual operation is a time consuming business. This project has been run by East Lothian Council as part of their handover of the harbour to the Trust. For our part the Trust is doing all it can to press the Council into arranging an electricity supply to the bridge as soon as possible. With that will come a power supply to the maintenance hard standing. It was a great relief to all that the bridge was replaced in time for Dunbar’s lifeboat fete and this important event was able to go ahead unhindered. Our thanks go to retiring trust volunteer director Ian McKane who has overseen the hard standing project from funding to construction. His heavy commitments elsewhere mean he has decided to retire from the Harbour Trust and we will all miss his energy and enthusiasm. The rest of the year 2007 promises to be equally busy with more projects in the pipeline and work starting on others. In this newsletter you will get an update on all that is going on. Please always remember the voluntary trustees always welcome feedback from harbour users and the wider Dunbar community. MCARTHUR’S STORE Legal issues over the ownership records are delaying the start of the major renovation of what is Britain’s oldest continually used fishermen’s store and working area. It is clear who owns the building but the deeds do not reflect this accurately. When this has been resolved we will start to create temporary accommodation for the users of the building to allow them to carry on their work and enable the restoration and renovation work to commence for which full funding is already in place.
FUEL OILThe new fuel oil facility continues to be a popular service for fishermen, leisure craft owners and visitors. It is expected that confidence in the operation and availability of the facility will encourage the removal of the bowsers which have been an unsightly addition to the harbour for many years. INTERPRETATIVE PANELSPanels are to be erected at various parts of the harbour to help visitors and locals alike to understand the history and working of the harbour. The first of these panels depicting the trading history of the Dunbar harbour will be installed in the next few weeks. MAINTENANCE HARD STANDING
Photo courtesy of Winifred Sillitto. BATTERY As part of this work AOC have surveyed the structure using laser scanning equipment and detailed photography. As the bridge was in the open position to allow fishing vessels to be transferred to the Cromwell Harbour in case of bad weather, the AOC employees and their equipment had to be transferred by boat to Lamer Island. SLIPWAYWork has started on the slipway used for launching both the RNLI inshore lifeboat and for trailer carried boats into the Broadhaven. The slipway is to undergo a major repair and refurbishment because it has become increasingly difficult to use. The Army (39 Engineer Regiment) will be carrying out repair work as part of their Military Aid to the Civilian Community programme. It gives soldiers training opportunities and helps community projects at the same time. SEABIRD CENTREA camera has been installed near the Dunbar castle which allows visitors to the North Berwick Seabird Centre to see live images of the castle kittiwake colony. The images are also available on the Trust website – look for the “Our Kittiwake Webcam” link. TOILETS AND SHOWERSThe first funding application for this project, to construct a toilet and shower block at the harbour, has unfortunately been rejected. We are now investigating other sources of funding. The draft plans show the provision of showers and changing rooms for crews of visiting yachts and others like the many divers who enjoy exploring the fascinating underwater wrecks off the Dunbar shoreline. Proposals by local residents are being considered. LADDERS This month we will start with the replacement of the old chain ladders in the Cromwell Harbour. THE BRIDGE
WEBSITEYou will find more information about the activities and projects of the Trust and its Harbour Management Committee on our website. If you think you can help or would like to contact us then use the feedback form on our website. |
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The maintenance hard standing in the Broadhaven area of the harbour has been completed. It allows a safe, dry berth next to the harbour wall. The berth will allow boats to moor at high tide giving crews access to the areas below the waterline to carry out minor repairs and maintenance work at low tide. An electricity supply is planned for the near future to allow tools to be used when cleaning and repairing boats.
Consultants from AOC Archaeology group, have begun a programme of historic building recording and archaeological works. This will produce a Conservation Plan for the Lamer Island Battery to enable the DHT to consider ideas for future development of the Battery.
Completion of the refurbishment of the bridge connecting both sides of the harbour has been delayed by the lack of a power supply to the new hydraulic lifting mechanism. East Lothian Council, which is carrying out the work as part of their handover to the Harbour Trust, is working to have the supply installed as quickly as possible although as yet they have been unable to supply us with a firm completion date. In the meantime the bridge is being left in the raised position to allow access to the inner harbour areas.