Extent of Sidmouth cliff erosion highlighted at exhibition

On Saturday the Sid Vale Association coordinated a full day exhibition at Kennaway House.

The Exhibition was a great success covering all aspects of Sidmouth cliff erosion, the shifting Sidmouth beaches, local geological finds, and a photographic exhibition selected from the vast Museum archive of historic photographs including many 1924/25 Storm Damage photographs by John Tindall.

More than 400 visitors attended, both locals and visitors to Sidmouth.

The life and work of John Tindall was highlighted with all 10 volumes shown of his monumental work of data on the foreshore of Sidmouth collected between 1922 and 1931.

Local children's author, Jo Earlam, launched her inspirational 'Think Footprint' project. Jo's new book and the Project were inspired by one of the reptile footprints on display in Sidmouth Museum.

Jo was delighted with the very positive reception, by Monday she had received over 3,500 views on her 'Think Footprint' Facebook posts.

Geologists present to discuss cliff erosion and other geological issues were:

-Dr Roger Trend – author of Sidmouth's Coast

-Dr John Mather – the eminent Hydrogeologist

-Jenny Bennett

-Isabel Francis

-Roger Le Voir

-Colin Boyton

-John Ayres

Our thanks to Chris Bass who had prepared visual displays showing the extent of Sidmouth's Coastal Erosion from 2007 to 2017.

Chris also had the inspirational idea for the 'Lost Cliff's Walk', 72.2m, 1898 to 2017, the length of Kennaway's drive.

There was a display showing East Devon District Council's Sidmouth East Beach Coastal Management Scheme which has plotted the progress to date and also the suggested improvements.

Councillor Ben Ingham, chairman of EDDC, and councillor Geoff Jung, EDDC portfolio holder for the Environment and chair of the reconvened Beach Management Group attended.

The Sidmouth Beach Management Steering Group was also very well represented throughout the day.

The organisers would like to thank all those who helped both before and on the day to make it such a memorable event.

If you would like to find out more about the work of the Sid Vale Association, click the red button below.