What is the future for our fossils? That is the question gnawing at Richard Edmonds, who this summer quit as the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site’s Earth Science Manager.
Why the Jurassic Coast needs a world-class fossils museum
By Anne King
Walk: Abbotsbury
Length: about 6 miles • Time: three hours • Terrain: Steepish climbs and descents on tracks that can get muddy; walking on shingle. Sturdy footwear required.
Discover a lovely village once a centre of power for prosperous medieval monks; explore a dramatic prehistoric hill fort; enjoy unsurpassed views of the Jurassic Coast and crunch along the geological phenomenon of Chesil beach.
Living the quiet life — off-grid
Anne King visits one of the area’s growing number of eco-homes to find out what’s involved in living off-grid.
It was 16 years ago that Pat Bowcock moved into a tiny caravan in an empty pony paddock on the outskirts of Litton Cheney.
She had a dog for company, but no power or facilities, or, it turned out on the first night, even a torch.
She had been living in a lovely house in Litton. She was married to a head teacher, was a mum with two children and had a steady job with a GP.
But she felt an increasing desire to live in a different way.
Walk: The Bridport Green Ring
Length: just under 3 miles. Time: two hours at a leisurely pace. Terrain: flat riverside paths, pavements, a climb up Coneygar Hill and a fairly steep descent.
Take the “Green Ring” round the historic market town of Bridport. There are wonderful views down to the sea from on high, a riverside stroll, ancient bridges and lovely old buildings telling of the town’s heritage as the centre of rope and netmaking — as well as a trip to New Zealand!
Walk: Burton Bradstock — where the wheels of industry once turned flax into big business
Length: about two miles. Time: An hour or so and time for a walk along the beach. Terrain: level village paths and lanes in the village, a steepish climb and walking on shingle.
The thatched cottages and sleepy lanes of Burton Bradstock today still hold clues to its once thriving industrial heritage