Nigel Andrews, F.I.A.P., B.Sc.,

Barton On Sea

South Coast Of England

Approx 12 miles from Bournemouth, approx 25 miles from Southampton.

Barton On Sea is located, as the name says, on the seashore of the South Coast of England but protected by a cliff leading to the sea. Although with the recent weather that we have had, namely the rain fall the cliff face is on the move again so is temporarily closed to the public. Still the local council say they will have this stabilized in a few weeks.

In past times the cliff face was clay studded with lots of small shells embedded for amateur fossil collectors to find and other matters, including a pair of my "Wellington boots" in the mid 1960's. So in years to come some archaeologist will find these boots and be puzzled why they are in matter laid down in the prehistoric times!

In recent years the local authorities have tried to stem the flow of the sea eroding the cliff face by erecting barricades resulting in the cliffs now being difficult to climb down. However local children enjoy being able to play on the cliff top and then being able to walk down the sea. Although the local area is regarded as a retirement area with a large proportion of elderly people and Nursing Homes. Large numbers of adults enjoy walking down to the beach to keep fit.