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The latest news, keeping


residents and harbour users up to date.


BY PAUL BRITTON • HARBOURMASTER/CEO A


fter a long glorious summer, we’ve suddenly moved into the


unpredictability of autumn. But there is still plenty of time to enjoy the river. Even when conditions aren’t great for heading out to sea, there are always opportunities to explore our beautiful estuary. I was reminded of this last week.


We were carrying out a check of all of our navigation marks, and of the Admiralty Chart of the river, and so, on an unpromising day headed upstream. When nosing into Bow Creek, the conditions suddenly changed, the sun came out, and yet again I was amazed by how many delights the river offers. The village of Tuckenhay was picked out in bright sunshine, wildfowl were swimming along the banks past the cottages and a few boats were on the quayside – in all, a totally idyllic spot, that is too easy to forget, but a very worthwhile destination on a nice afternoon tide.


As you are well aware, the river banks are just as beautiful and it is great to see the work that many landowners are putting in to enhance the natural environment. One that is particularly worth a


note is at Lower Sharpham Farm, on the Sharpham Estate, whose tenants Ambios Ltd took the Dart Harbour Community Group on a tour of their site. Ambios and The Sharpham Trust, the charity that runs the Sharpham Estate, are partners in a rewilding project with 50 acres of fields now returned to a natural state. Two years into this project, they have seen a


www.dartharbour.org


significant increase in numbers of small mammals, birds of prey and insects on their site, which helps the whole ecosystem of the upper Dart Estuary, and hopefully will become part of a network of similar sites across Devon. If you are interested in finding out more about local conservation in action, their website www.ambios.net is a great place to start. But sadly, autumn and winter


aren’t just about glorious days exploring the Dart valley. In our ever more unsettled climate, it is more important than ever to make sure that your boat is well prepared for winter. Please take some time this month to double check your boat’s moorings – that ropes are taut and not worn, fenders in place, cleats secure, sails and deck equipment neatly stowed; so that your boat can happily ride out whatever storms the Met Office may decide to send our way.


Paul Britton Harbour Master & CEO


Photos by Jack Handley, Assistant Harbour Master


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