Noticeboard – Friends of Stokes Bay

New Year’s Day Swim

As with previous years, the swim will be taking place from the beach with spectators able to watch from the area behind. However as high tide will make the beach smaller spectators are encouraged to watch from with the area shown on the photo.

Litter Pick Dates for 2025

25th January – 29th March – 28th June – 13th September – 1st November

Browndown Access

Wildflower Meadow

Following the decision to abandon the daffodil planting along the verges of Stokes Bay Road, and in collaboration with Greening Alverstoke, we have approval from GBC to plant a wildflower garden in the site of the old toilet block between Jellico Avenue and Solent Springs Adventure Golf. The garden will incorporate a bench and a bug hotel. We have received advice from several people regarding the types of flowers and the best process of planting to ensure that we get the balance right.

Sea Defences

The long-awaited promenade works finished on time and what a joy it is to once again walk along the repaired pavement and not have to dodge the traffic when crossing the road to avoid the barriers! The Contractors appear to have done a splendid job under the direction of the Coastal Partnership.

Diving Museum at No 2 Battery

In July 2024 the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded £802,000 which will enable the museum to deliver an improved museum throughout the whole building following the repair project with reopening scheduled for July 2025.

Petanque

Now that the weather has improved, we have started playing petanque. All invited to enjoy a friendly game on one or both of our petanque play areas next to the flower beds in front of the Pebble Beach Cafe. The play area is maintained by the Friends of Stokes Bay. Several of us enjoy meeting generally on a Wednesday morning at 11.30 but email the secretary if you wish to be added to our WhatsApp group.

D-Day Memorial

Planning permission has been granted for the erection of a semi-circular war memorial garden in the location of the existing Mulberry Harbour memorial on the promenade to the east of the Stokes Bay Sailing Club. The proposed plan will incorporate a flagpole, hard and soft landscaping as well as the relocation of the Canadian Memorial.

Works at Fort Gilkicker

Photographs below show this beautiful Victorian structure, now exposed by the removal of the earth bank.

The last two photographs looking east before and after the “bank” that has been created with earth from the fort.