Packing Shed Update July 2008

The 470 tons of granite stone, delivered to Packing Marsh Island last autumn, has now been moved into position by local contractor, Ramplings. A low breakwater bund wall has been formed at the top of the foreshore, running north-south along the line of old stakes which formed the western-facing edge of the Island, when it was originally worked as an oyster fishery. 

One benefit is already apparent. Previously, as the tides ebbed and seawater flowed out of the old oyster pits, it created ever-deepening gullies at the northern end of the Packing Shed, which were gradually taking soil away. Further erosion from this source has now been prevented by the bund wall. The ebbing tides now seep more slowly through the stones, depositing silt behind them. 

Cory Environmental has generously promised a grant to cover the contractor’s cost. But first, retrospective planning permission must be obtained from Colchester Borough Council, before the money can be released.

A new four-stroke outboard engine for our main launch has been supplied and fitted by Richard Parkinson and this has proved a significant improvement on the previous engine which, after 15 years, had come to the end of its working life. We are very pleased to have obtained a grant for this cost from the Acorn Fund, which is administered by the Essex Community Foundation.

Various committee members have attended working parties for spring-cleaning, and special thanks to David Green, who has made 6 new window frames with sashes - to replace existing windows which had rotted.

We hope you will come out to see the new sea defences. Unfortunately, our first Open Day had to be cancelled at short notice due to inclement weather, but we have now arranged an alternative for Saturday 2nd August. This time we are inviting visitors to bring their own picnic and enjoy themselves over lunch in the fresh air. Launches will be running from 11am until 4pm.

Further Open Days are scheduled for :-

Sunday 24 August             2.00 – 5.30pm

Saturday 6 September      2.00 – 5.00pm

No need to book – just turn up on the Hammerhead between 2.00 – 5.00pm, where you will find our launches.

Visitors are requested not to walk on the new bund wall of granite stone, as this will disperse the stones and deplete the sea defences.

Paddy Ryan

Packing Shed Update - 2007

2007 was another successful year for the Packing Shed Trust. Although bookings were down slightly on the previous year, due to the poor weather at the start of the season, fundraising reached a new high. The “Tenner a Ton” fund, which is dedicated towards the Reclamation Project - aimed at slowing the erosion to Packing Marsh Island - raised over £13,000. A big thank you is due to all the local people who contributed so generously.

Unfortunately, the cost of the material proved to be somewhat more than a tenner a ton, due mainly to the additional costs of delivery by barge from the Thames.  The whole of the Blackwater estuary is of course designated as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and consequently there are understandable restrictions on the dumping of used materials deemed to be contaminated. This also added to the total cost. Nevertheless, approximately 470 tons of clean granite stones (about the size of a fist) were successfully delivered last year, and this now lies in two large mounds on the foreshore, at either end of the Packing Shed. The intention is to create a low breakwater bund wall, at the top of the foreshore, and running north-south along the line of old stakes which formed the western-facing edge of the Island, when it was originally worked as an oyster fishery.

Local contractor Ramplings have been commissioned to move the granite into position, as they have considerable experience in this area, and intend to start work as soon as the new hammerhead is finished. This will probably be late February or early March and needs to be undertaken during neap tides, to avoid their equipment being inundated at High Water. A grant has been sought to cover this additional cost, but there is no guarantee that we will be successful and the Trust very much welcomes donations for this ongoing project. (Contact the Treasurer, Bill Norman, on 01206 384025 – cheques payable to “The Packing Shed Trust”)

Apart from tidal erosion around the piling supporting the Shed, another problem has been the movement of the slipper limpet shell banks. These had provided some protection against the prevailing southwest wind and tides, and had been stable until a few years ago, when a series of winter storms started rolling them back across the Island. This has the adverse effect of suffocating the existing plant life, including shrubby seablite, sea lavender and golden samphire, all of which help retain the soil and limit erosion. Apart from damaging the saltmarsh, the shell builds up underneath the Shed, causing the floor to become permanently damp with the risk of rot setting in. Committee members do periodically rake out the shell but this year it was a particularly time-consuming and back-breaking task. Earlier in the year, Ramplings generously donated men and equipment to shift large quantities of this shell, from where it had accumulated outside, preventing the launches from docking safely. And late last year, the Environment Agency repaired the polder revetments at the southern edge of the Island facing Bradwell, which will hopefully improve things. 

After over 15 years sterling service, the Mariner outboard engine on the main passenger launch has finally expired, and needs replacing. Here again a grant has been applied for, but most charitable funds are apparently overstretched, and so we must keep our fingers crossed.

The Trust recently granted permission to the Dabchicks Sailing Club to erect an antenna on the northern end of the Shed in order to relay signals from an anemometer on a pole at the southern end of Cobmarsh Island. Current wind speeds can be viewed on  the Club’s website at www.dabchicks.org/weather/WeatherReport.php

Despite all the ongoing battles with erosion, much has been achieved in the last 12 months and we now look forward to a successful season this summer, with many happy visitors to this tranquil and beautiful corner of Mersea. 

Paddy Ryan