The beautiful little Dorset beach that is no more

The small West Bay Harbour beach once known as the West Bay Little Beach, or Children’s Beach, has been removed, ending decades of use by local children. The article describes a postcard scene of youngsters playing and swimming among boats, contrasting it with today’s absence of the pebble-and-shingle area at the western end of the harbour basin. It notes that concerns arose early, with moves as early as 1954 to remove pebbles and shingles after complaints about damage to boats from children throwing stones and allegations of damage and pilfering of equipment. Councillors debated the beach’s safety, with references to its suitability for toddlers and its calmer conditions compared with the nearby Chesil Beach. In May 1968, dredging was carried out to eliminate the sandbank in the south-west corner and create mooring space for three full-time fishing craft, a decision agreed by Bridport Town Council on the Harbour Committee’s recommendation. Former Alderman H.G. Smith urged leaving some beach for families and children, while others prioritized harbour income.