Beside the seaside, beside the sea... at Wells-next-the-Sea

"harbour looking towards Well's lifeboat house"

Well it's no shock to our regular readers that I'm in love with Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk.

After spending many happy childhood holidays there, on the Caravan Park next to the pine forests and beach (as previously chronicled).

I thought it was worth posting a link to the Wells' Harbour website (click here), which amongst the webcams and local information, also carries some very good posts regarding progress at the Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm development.

Situated off the coast of Sheringham, and clearly visible from that town and it's beaches, the support craft for the servicing and construction of, moor at Wells'.

More recently, John Craven was there recording an interview / piece on the Wind farm for the BBC's Countryfile - the episode to be aired this Sunday (16th October 2011).

The excitement of Mr Craven's visit is well documented with pictures on the Wells' harbour website here.

photo credit: elliott brown

Offshore wind farm destroys childhood beaches

Holidays are supposed to be relaxing, however, my blood boiled when lasts week, whilst on holiday in Sheringham when a day trip to the beaches of my childhood at Wells-next-the-sea revealed a far from familiar scene.

Where once there had been delightful pools left behind by the outgoing tide, where children (and adults) could paddle in safely, was now a huge channel dredged out, to make room for a new mooring.

The 4 or 5 boats moored were apparently supply / service vessels to the Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm, which we could see quite clearly from the beaches of Sheringham.

The 'long beach' at Wells' with its row of brightly painted beech chalets is still as friendly as ever, if a little on the chilly side, depending on which way the wind blows of course.

Thankfully, it didn't spoil the day too much and the week itself was glorious, so thank you Sheringham.

Pity the Well's planners didn't consider the impact of the new mooring a bit more though...

photo credit: russell james smith

Offshore wind farm story reminds me of holidays in Norfolk

You'll forgive me a moment of personal meandering but a story spotted last week on New Energy Focus about how a Wells-Next-The-Sea (on the Norfolk coast) safety and work boat provider had won a contract to support the Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm, sent me back to many a happy summer holiday spent in that lovely seaside town.

I don't know if the wind turbines will be visible from the beaches at Wells', and the subsequent walks along the coast.

I did manage to sneak back to Wells' a few years ago and very little had changed - the lifeboat station was still at the end of the long sea wall walk at the beach itself and the caravan and camping park, apart from newer buildings is still there.

Even from the air (Google maps) you can still see the walks through the pine forest.

A warm hello to anyone in Wells next the Sea - thank you for many happy holiday memories that remain as vivid as ever today, and congratulations to Safety Boat Services on winning the contract.

photo credit: russelljsmith


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