5. PROTECTING OUR ASSETS AND AMENITIES

A1

The Heritage Coast Centre 

Occupying the first floor of the Old Cement Factory, a building (see Table 4.1 asset H4) which is in itself an important part of the Charmouth foreshore, the Heritage Coast Centre is situated in the middle of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The Centre is a major draw for visitors ranging from local schools to international palaeontologists, with over 150,000 visits recorded in 2018. An independent charity, the Centre aims to advance the education of the public in the geology, palaeontology, marine life and natural history of the coast and local area. It is managed by a small staff and Trustees, with assistance from many volunteers. Entry is free.

In the CNP Survey 85% expressed satisfaction with the Heritage Coast Centre, with 11% expressing no strong views.

A2

Charmouth Primary School

The school is hugely important in terms of the social fabric of the village and surrounding areas, and vital in terms of maintaining a range of ages across the village population.  It currently employs 20 staff. The number of pupils is 142, with a capacity of 170. The school operates with 5 classes, although it has the capacity for 7. In 2019 a pre-school/nursery for 3 and 4 year-olds was opened. 

Although there were no questions in the CNP survey relating directly to the school, 66% thought that the village should attract families with young children by building additional houses for families.

A3

Charmouth Community Library

Volunteer-run but linked to Dorset Council, the library is open 6 half days per week, and the usual library services are provided. There is a café which can be booked for meetings, and local crafts and second-hand books are for sale. It is the official Tourist Information Point for Charmouth. Since July 2019 the library has hosted an Outreach Post Office Service one day per week.

In the CNP Survey 81% were happy with the Library (19% expressing no strong view).

A4

The Village Hall

Formerly the W.I. Hall, this building is a valuable village asset which is used for meetings, events and activities ranging from Gardeners’ Society meetings to line dancing.  It has a small stage and a kitchen and its heating and other facilities have been improved in fairly recent times. Since October 2020 it has hosted the Outreach Post Office Service one day per week.

A5

St. Andrew’s Community Hall

The building of the Hall commenced in 1909 and was funded by public subscription and gifted land. It has a high ceiling, a polished wood sprung floor, and a main stage suitable for theatre productions and concerts. A generous Lottery grant has funded disabled facilities, double glazing, heating and air-conditioning, making it an accessible and comfortable venue for all. The main hall has many uses. The Hall is equipped to cater for functions of up to 100 seated dining guests or 150 audiences.  There is a smaller Club Room and a large well-equipped kitchen. The Hall is a valuable asset to the community, being used for everything from wedding receptions to badminton, monthly film shows to bingo.         

The questions in the CNP Survey relating to Community Facilities: Social Amenities produced comments that the existing halls were well used, but with some adverse comments about “too many small halls”.

A6

The Youth Club Building

Situated in Wesley Close, the Youth Club building is a modern, purpose-built facility, which was provided for the village in place of the old youth club building, as part of the Queen's Walk development. As well as its main purpose it is available for hire for events and activities. The Youth Club folded following the withdrawal of council funding; but it is hoped that it will re-open soon. At present the building is used for practice by a couple of bands of young local musicians, and activities such as table tennis, and Tai Chi classes.      

A7

St. Andrew’s Parish Church

The present church of St Andrew was rebuilt in 1836, utilising some of the fabric and monuments saved from its predecessor on the same site.  It is a listed building, but is on the At Risk Register, having like many other village churches seen its importance in the community reduced, and the cost of maintaining and repairing the fabric of the church become increasingly daunting.  A recent grant from the Erskine Muton Trust has enabled the completion of Phase One of a programme of repairs and refurbishment.  (The village's other church, the United Reformed Church, also listed, was converted to a dwelling in 2019.)

In the CNP Survey 44% were happy with the church(es) in the village. (At the time, there were two religious buildings and a religious service held in The Elms)

A8

The Elms

The Elms, situated in The Street, is one of the oldest buildings in Charmouth.  Now much larger than when it was the subject of a 2,000 year lease signed in 1575, it came into Charmouth Parish Council ownership in 1997.  It houses the offices of CPC and the Mallory Hayter meeting room. The ground floor is currently available for rent as consulting rooms/offices/workshop. Part of the building comprises a flat which is let out by and brings in income for the Parish Council, as do offices situated upstairs. Until recently, the Pavey Room was located in The Elms.

A9

Charmouth Playing Fields

The Playing Fields were bequeathed to the village in 1933, and enlarged more recently when the Parish Council purchased an adjacent field.  They form a large open space next to the centre of the village and are a major asset: containing a children’s playground, adult exercise equipment, picnic benches, football pitch, junior goals, Scout hut, bowling-green and pavilion. They are also the venue for 'Party In The Park' events, and Charmouth Fayre, when held. Hugely important to the character and ‘life’ of the village.  (See LGS10 and LGS11)

In the CNP Survey 60% were happy with the Playing Field facilities, and various suggestions for improvements and additional facilities were made, some of which have already been implemented.

A10

Charmouth Medical Practice

With 51% of their registered patients living in the village and a further 39% living within a 5 mile radius, the practice is seen as being hugely important in the village. To cope with a full quota of patients, the practice now has three GPs, two practice nurses, a Practice Manager and four reception staff. From 7 April 2021, Charmouth Medical Practice merged with Lyme Bay Medical Practice becoming one single practice known as Lyme Bay Medical Practice. The building is listed.

In the CNP Survey 99% were in favour of keeping the medical practice in Charmouth.

A11

Charmouth Pharmacy

A much-valued facility situated in the very centre of the village, with a qualified pharmacist who is able to provide advice as well as dispensing prescriptions. It is the site of a defibrillator on the wall adjacent to Lower Sea Lane.

In the CNP Survey 99% were satisfied or very satisfied with the 'service' shops, including Charmouth Pharmacy.

A12

The Royal Oak

The Royal Oak is one of the two public houses which have survived in Charmouth.  Part of the social fabric of the village, hosting events such as quizzes and live music, as well as serving meals and having a large-screen T.V. for sports coverage.

A13

The George Inn

The George Inn was built in the 16th century, replacing a much older building on that site which had offered hospitality to travellers. It is one of the two public houses which has survived in Charmouth.

It has a skittle alley with seven skittles teams, a pool table and a sizeable beer garden, and like the Royal Oak hosts events such as quizzes and live music, as well as serving meals and having a T.V. for sports coverage.

A14

Charmouth Fire Station

Part of the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service, Charmouth is an on-call station manned by trained and paid on-call firefighters who are local volunteers, many of whom are carrying on a family tradition. They have other jobs and obligations, but commit time to the Fire and Rescue Service throughout the week and respond to emergency calls when paged.

A15

Charmouth Cemetery

Located at the west end of the village on the north side of the A35, this peaceful area includes a renovated chapel, which is available for intimate funeral services. The cemetery was extended in 2010 when it was envisaged that it would be able to meet the village's needs into the next century.

A16

Charmouth Allotments

Only part of the Charmouth Allotment land at the western edge of Charmouth is within the Charmouth Neighbourhood Plan boundary.  The land was originally purchased by the Charmouth Parish Council as a long-term extension of the Parish Council’s cemetery and as such cannot be developed.  However, following requests from Charmouth residents the land was leased to the Charmouth Allotment Society for use as allotments.  Currently there is a waiting list for the allotments, which may indicate a need for more allotments elsewhere within Charmouth.

A17

The Footbridge

Vital access to the east side of the river. Occasionally one can cross the river on foot but the river has to be low, and wellington boots are necessary. No other legal route exists other than by approaching along the beach from Seatown, which is dangerous as well as it being almost impossible to walk both ways during a single low tide. The bridge is an integral part of the South-West Coast Path / England Coast Path.