Coastal Concern Action Group, based in Happisburgh on the North Norfolk coast, held a meeting in their parish church on Friday attended by around 200 people, celebrating ten years of the founding of the group, and their achievements during that period.

After a welcome from Rev Philip Wood, Diana Wrightson, one of the members of the CCAG steering group, recapped the circumstances that led to a similar meeting held in St Mary’s Church ten years ago to discuss the issue of worsening coastal erosion of Happisburgh’s cliffs. Following that meeting CCAG was set up under the leadership of their Co-ordinator Malcolm Kerby.

Norman Lamb, the Lib Dem MP for North Norfolk then explained the political impact that CCAG had brought about through its policy of constructive dialogue rather than direct confrontation, and the scope of the influence that the group now received. He also summarised the current position that although there was currently no sign of change of a policy on defending the coast, there had been changes in attitude to the possibility of  ‘compensation’, and that the campaigning of CCAG had been a large factor in that change.

Brian Farrow, Coast Protection Engineer for North Norfolk District Council, recounted the ‘sheer fear’ he felt when attending the public meeting ten years ago, but re-affirmed NNDC’s support for the community, within the financial and political constraints placed upon them, a view repeated by District Councillor and Happisburgh Publican Clive Stockton. Brian also spoke of  how increased understanding, trust and working together had changed things for the better. Vice Chairman of Happisburgh Parish Council Glenn Berry thanked CCAG for all their hard work on behalf of the Parish Council and the Village.

There were then three speeches by representatives of other campaign groups who had been helped and inspired by CCAG – Brigitte Bass from Jury’s Gap on the Sussex / Kent Border, Roland o’Brien from Selsey in West Sussex, and Chris Blunkell from Seasalter on the North Kent coast recounted their local situations, how they had been supported by Malcolm Kerby and CCAG. The benefits of collaboration with other groups was stressed, and all three gave their thanks to Malcolm and the CCAG for their support and assistance.

Jack Hall, former chairman of Coastal Concern Ltd which is the charity set up by villagers to raise funds for defences at Happisburgh, recounted the appeal in 2007 where at very short notice they were able to raise almost £50,000 in a few weeks to add extra rock to the work being carried out in Happisburgh by NNDC under emergency powers – this rock has since made a very real difference to the rate of erosion of the cliff. The success of the appeal was also a sign of the strength of support, not only from Happisburgh residents, but visitors, friends, and those from afar that have heard of the village’s plight.

Malcolm Kerby concluded proceedings by thanking all the speakers, and summarising what was happening in the next few months, including hopes that there would be an announcement from DEFRA in the summer regarding finaincial assitance for those affected by coastal erosion.