Autumn has certainly arrived with vengeance. With the much acclaimed floral boats now withdrawn and the boats mostly out of their winter berths, the place has a completely different feel.

However, a change of season means that work is about to start on the West Beach, pictured above. It will undergo beach re-nourishment after storms earlier in the year.

This important work will ensure sea defences return to their original state, offering better protection to homes and businesses around the harbour. Whilst vehicle and pedestrian access along the western Esplanade will remain open, parking spaces along the Esplanade will be closed for two weeks to enable the work to proceed.

The first phase will involve re-profiling the beach with new shingle to prevent waves from going over the sea wall and the rock groyne will be rebuilt. The shingle will be brought in from the same quarry as when the beach was originally constructed in 2005.

When you watch the next series of Broadchurch look out for the scene with the hospital ward that was filmed on location in St John’s Church during last week.

Whilst there was some delay in completing the filming, normal services have been resumed. A visitor to the church on Sunday remarked that St John’s is the best part of West Bay.

Posters are appearing around the Bay advertising the Bonfire by the Beach, on East Beach from 5.30pm on November 5. Organised by the West Bay Days Team it will include a Guy competition to be judged at 6pm. The winner will light the ‘bonfire’. More details next week.

Philip Ringer