Message from the Chairman Michael MacInnes

22 December 2011

BEMBRIDGE HARBOUR SOLD

The new owner of Bembridge Harbour, Malcolm Thorpe, contacted Bembridge Harbour Trust directly this week to introduce himself and to let us know that he had completed the purchase of the harbour. Mr Thorpe lives in Yarmouth and is a keen and successful sailor.

Mr Thorpe who is well known in the local community said that his immediate aims were to place the Harbour back into good working order as soon as possible and to develop a good relationship with Harbour users and the local communities generally. He would, therefore, like to meet up with Bembridge Harbour Trust and other Harbour groups in the New Year to discuss his plans and an appropriate way forward which is excellent news.

It is naturally very disappointing that we were unable to achieve our Harbour ownership objective after all the effort and support that we have received. However, representing the interests of the local communities, we now look forward to supporting and helping Mr Thorpe where possible so that the Harbour can be properly restored and that suitable and effective management is put in place.

I would like to thank all those who have given us such help and support over the last few years with our project. We are certain that the effort so many of our Members and other supporters have put in to making public the importance of our Harbour to our local communities has not been wasted. We hope that it will ensure that never again will our Harbour be allowed to face the mismanagement of recent years. That we were able to meet our target of bringing together cash pledges totalling some £1 million in support of our overall bid for the Harbour shows the strength of local feeling concerning its future.

Now that the Harbour has been sold, BHT’s Trustees will be reviewing with its Members the role it should play in the future.

In the meantime we wish all our Members and other supporters a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

Michael MacInnes

22 December 2011

Bembridge Harbour Trust is a registered charity, number 1120225 and is also a company limited by guarantee under company number 05671595 with the objective of preserving and enhancing Bembridge harbour and its setting for the benefit of the public including the users of the harbour and the communities of Bembridge and St. Helens on the Isle of Wight .
It was registered as a charity in July 2007.

with thanks to Becky Samuelson at
www.beckysamuelsonfinearts.co.uk