Exploring the Bournemouth Coast Path

The painting Foam Horses by Lucy Kemp-Welch on show at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery has an interesting caption.

The note next to the 1896 painting suggests that the three horses battling with sea waves was inspired by the sight of cavalry horses being exercised on the beach ‘at Parkstone’.

Does this mean Canford Cliffs? Or on the beach near Flag Head Chine?

The picture is part of the museum’s winter exhibition called Dangerous Women! From Kauffman to Emin.

Also featured is work by Lady Waterford who spent half of every year at Highcliffe Castle, Helen Allingham who lived at Lymington and Leslie Ward who recorded Robert Louis Stevenson’s Westbourne house.

The exhibition continues until Sunday 8 March.

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum is on the coast path at the start of the East Cliff near Bournemouth Pier.

In winter entry is free so you don’t have to make a ‘donation’ as suggested by welcoming staff. But you will probably want to buy something in the shop or eat in the cafe which is  good place to stop at on a walk.

Wilts & Dorset buses has rebranded itself More although fewer buses are now operated.

From this Sunday 4 January 2015 there will be no Sunday coastal bus services in Highcliffe, Barton-on-Sea or Milford-on-Sea.

Also hit will be weekday afternoon buses, handy for walkers ending their day, which will be reduced.

The consultation on these changes takes place next week after the changes have come into force.

Wilts & Dorset is blaming reductions on the government funding cuts.

Sandbanks Ferry is suspended for its annual overhaul.

The service is expected to return on Thursday 18 December.

There has been an unexpected cliff fall on the western side of Branksome Dene Chine.

Part of a lawn dropped into the car park below. The grass belongs to a residence near to View Point House where Max Bygraves lived for many years.

The Daily Echo has the first pictures.

A rare portrait of Florence Gibson who was brought up at Shelley Park by Sir Percy and Lady Shelley is to be auctioned at Bonham’s in London. It may have been painted at the house with the Boscombe sea view added as the backdrop.

The story is on the Bournemouth People website.

Sandbanks Ferry will cease operating for its annual refit on Tuesday 4 November.

This is a day later than announced. Monday’s weather will not now be good enough for the vessel to be towed to Southampton.

Sandbanks Ferry will be out of action for most of November for its annual refit.

The ferry will run during the weekend 1-2 November but from Monday 3 November there will be no service.

Closure could last for six weeks.

During November there will be a public inquiry into proposed fare increases held at Studland Village Hall.

There are no plans to increase the £1 pedestrian fare.

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The hearing at the BIC

The Planning Inspectorate held its main hearing for the Navitus Bay wind farm proposal at the BIC in Bournemouth yesterday (14 Oct).

Most of those giving evidence were opposed to the scheme which would place the world’s largest wind farm in the bay between the Isle of Wight and Isle of Purbeck.

But a serious case in favour was given by several individuals concerned about climate change and, in one case, Russia deciding how much power we receive.

The Yarmouth Harbour Master, who lives at Barton-on-Sea, was in favour since the project could make his port very busy, bring employment and help local businesses who would provide supplies to the ships.

But there were concerns about noise from the bay during and after construction, noise (or low hum) from cabling bringing the electricity ashore at Taddiford Gap, shipping safety, fishing and migrating birds.

Many residents revealed expert knowledge.

My overwhelming feeling at the end of the day was that the Dorset and Bournemouth Coast Paths which we are so familiar with have unique views loved by many people. Designations by UNESCO and other authorities confirm that we have something precious to be preserved for the future.

If we are to say to people ‘be green and don’t fly to a foreign holiday’ then we must have our bay which rivals Naples for them to enjoy at home.

This is the same landscape and seascape which moved Henry James, Benjamin Disraeli and, as the inspectors were reminded, Bill Bryson.

The Daily Echo has a report.

Hordle Church was moved inland in 1829 ago but it seems that its graveyard containing the bodies of shipwrecked sailors may be reopened for new burials.

This is because the All Saints graveyard in Hordle village is now full and may be handed over by the parochial church council to the parish council.

There is some space in the original churchyard which also contains the tombs of Sir Reginald de Clerk, who fell in the Wars of the Roses, and Christopher Clark who died in 1720 aged 112.

A service is held on the site of the first church every summer.

It is interesting to see which which pubs along the coast have made it into CAMRA’S Good Beer Guide 2015.

At Swanage it is The Ship Inn, just back from the little seafront piazza with its fish shops.

No more on the coast path until the Red Lion at Milford-on-Sea which offers Ringwood best bitter and bed and breakfast.

But there are many interesting entries for worthwhile pubs found inland. The guide is edited by pub and beer expert Roger Protz.