In 2021, we celebrated 10 years of working together. A snapshot of our highlights are shown below.
We have carried out annual Estate Inspections, identifying all the things that need to be addressed to make our area look better. Issues are passed to East Lothian Council for action or we manage issues ourselves as small projects – like painting railings or making dangerous steps more visible in the dark.
East Beach is a challenge but our hard work to keep it clear of litter and to develop and maintain the seating areas have meant that it has qualified for a Rural Seaside Award every year since 2012.
We delivered a major feasibility study in 2012 to see if we could build the Coastlife Centre, a ‘virtual aquarium’ and immersive cinema built on derelict ground at East Beach. The trial was a huge success but we were ultimately unable to buy the site due to a mismatch between grants and the price the owner wanted for his land. At least we tried and everybody had a wonderful weekend, thanks to Igloovision!
In 2012, we started a project to restore the Fishermen’s Monument at Cromwell Harbour. We raised the money for a major study by conservator Graciela Ainsworth and the work was completed in 2013.
We still raise money each year for annual applications of lime wash to keep the monument as safe as possible from the continuing erosive impacts of the North Sea.
In 2014, we designed and raised the money for the construction of Dr Badger’s Bench at Dunbar Harbour. This is entirely accessible by wheelchair and buggy and has proved a really popular lookout for visitors.
In 2014, we raised the money to have a derelict ‘dog toilet’ patch at Cromwell Harbour replaced with huge cobbles from Victoria Harbour and we incorporated a lovely lobster carved into the stone by Gardner Molloy.
In 2015, after a series of catastrophic storms, the East Beach was lost to the sea and we began work with East Lothian Council to determine ways in which the East Beach might be naturally regenerated. Rock armour at the interceptor pipes was installed in 2019 and two breakwaters and a new ‘Biowall’ groyne were built in 2020, with the works juggled around Covid restrictions. The new works allowed the beach to naturally rebuild over the next 3 years.
At the same time, we worked with East Lothian Council, Royal Haskoning DHV and OOBE Design to consider how new East Beach Sea Defences might deliver not only a secure sea wall but also a visitor attraction. We continue to work with East Lothian Council on the management of kelp, which, if not removed promptly for compost, becomes a fly infested nuisance.
In 2016, we got permission to install a series of panels that describe the history of Victoria Street. The site was previously occupied by a ‘pay as you pee’ self cleaning toilet that didn’t last long! Our long standing member, Kenny Maule, has done wonderful panels for the whole harbour and this suite of 10 panels + map have proved a great attraction.
It has been a busy old decade!
