It was a busy week for the local coastguards. There have been sufficient column inches written about the massive cliff fall just after 5pm on Tuesday, March 12. However, the coastguards were out again on Friday morning responding to a call from a member of the public that someone was in the sea off the Esplanade.

Fortunately, this proved not to be the case, and the emergency services were quickly stood down once it had been established that nothing was amiss.

The West Bay Discovery Centre is now open again at weekends. With more than 10,000 visitors in the first few months they were open last year, they are offering a bag of goodies for the 11,000th visitor through the doors. This season promises plenty of new attractions and exhibitions so why not go along and see for yourself. They are always looking for volunteers to assist in the centre so check their website at westbaydsicoverycentre.org.uk.

Last Sunday the parking on the street on the Meadowlands Estate caused serious obstruction and major inconvenience to residents. Parked vehicles were using the local streets rather than pay the car parking fee for the West Bay Road car park which had plenty of spaces in it all day. Please park considerately and prevent complaints from irritated residents.

Jackie Savage and her friend Julie Tilbury cleared a substantial part of the open drainage ditch at the rear of the Spar Shop in West Bay Road, filling two sacks of assorted rubbish. Their stated objective is to smarten the place up and to make a pleasant environment for everyone to enjoy. Jackie told me that they were known as the West Bay Wombles, which I find an endearing title. Some other local authorities adopted this name years ago, so why hasn't it caught on down here in west Dorset?

There followed a discussion about 'solar powered' litter bins, a subject I have raised with the Dorset Waste Partnership on more than one occasion during the last four years. Perhaps a more proactive campaign to raise awareness of their advantages is now needed.

On the subject of litter, a local resident managed to pick up a bin bag full of cans, bottles, plastic and various other items just walking from behind the brewery down the footpath by the river to Parkdean. All litter is a hazard, unsightly and a menace. Please take your rubbish home with you and dispose of it responsibly.