MP set to unveil beach information boards

Tim Loughton will unveil the most easterly board at Shoreham Fort on Saturday, October 22 at 10.45am.

There are six more boards, one at each major beach entrance.

The new boards identify plants and animals to look out for as well as showing the fragility of the environment.

A seashore code shows visitors how to help to conserve the beach, which was given Local Nature Reserve status in 2006.

Joy Daintree, chairman of the Friends of Shoreham Beach community group, applied for a grant to provide these boards from the Awards for All lottery programme after their predecessors had become worn and faded.

They were awarded in excess of £6,700, which has paid for four new lecterns, refurbishing of the three old lecterns and the affixing of plates to all seven.

The grant has also gone towards four educational sessions to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Shoreham Beach becoming a Local Nature Reserve.

It is a vegetated shingle beach, a rare habitat which is only found in New Zealand, Japan and the South East of England.

Around 90 plants can be found growing there and the environment supports many birds, molluscs, moths, butterflies and reptiles.

Joy said: “During these past 10 years, grant funded and council funded projects have made it easier for everyone to visit and enjoy this beautiful area, such as the board walk.”

Jacky Woolcock, of Beach Road, secretary of Friends of Shoreham Beach, said she hoped Mr Loughton’s visit would raise the profile of the beach as a nature reserve.

“I’m very pleased he is coming, and I have told him so! It means we are being taken notice of by the Government.

“It is nice to have recognition and Tim is extremely good at going to community events. It is a real morale booster.”

Jacky said the response to the new boards, which have been in place for a month, has been ‘very favourable’.

“They offer real educational value and encourage people to treat the Local Nature Reserve with respect.

“The flowers are the main attraction, particularly in May or June when they look absolutely wonderful.

“But at any time of year it is a lovely place for a walk so come and enjoy it.”