July 2016 Update

Over the last few months the steering group have been busy in producing a business case and a development bid and not least, creating a vision for the Centre.  We want to create a modern and welcoming space that also captures the essence of the historic and atmospheric community building. It will be a living repository for knowledge about West Bay.  We want people to discover what West Bay has to offer – and then go out and explore it. The vision has made us rethink our name to ‘West Bay Discovery Centre’  which describes more what we are aiming to achieve. There is so much here to offer, from the history, the picturesque harbour , it’s location of Jurassic Coast and the wildlife on land and sea.

An application has been submitted to Coastal Communities Fund for £150,000. Many other organisations  along the coast will also be applying to this fund. We will find out in August whether we will be taken forward to the second  round, we are keeping our fingers crossed!

On Friday 15th July we ran a very successful open day, inviting members of the public to visit the chapel and find out more about our plans to turn it into a Discovery Centre for West Bay. Despite the drizzle outside, 60 people came through the doors. We were delighted that one of the visitors had worshiped here and  attended the very last service that was held in the Chapel. It was wonderful  to talk to so many people and receive positive comments and interest.

During the summer holidays a local artist collective called Force 8 will running a programme of events from 23rd July – 4th September. They are aiming to explore people’s holiday experience by bringing together ideas, knowledge, holiday snaps and stories. They will be also running children’s activities, and a series of evening talks- for the full programme visit their website http://force8.org/.