Copyright ©2024 Fleet Study Group
The aims of the group were set out as:
- To review and evaluate the state of the scientific knowledge of the area. This would include hydrological and sedimentary processes,chemical and ecological research and Quaternary studies. A bibliography of published work will be compiled and copies of the relevant papers and reports deposited in the Reference Library of the College of Education, Weymouth.
- To identify gaps in the knowledge of the area
To suggest priorities for the research most likely to advance knowledge of the area. This knowledge would be available for assessment of the effects of any proposed changes in the area which may threaten its stability
In April 2025 the Fleet Study Group will celebrate 50 years since it was formed. The inaugural meeting was held on 24th April 1975 at the Dorset Institute of Higher Education (DIHE), now known as Weymouth College. It was chaired by the college principal, Miss N. O’Sullivan, and attended by 25 people with a further two tendering their apologies. These people represented a wide range of local and national organisations including:
- Strangways Estate
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
- Nature Conservancy Council
- Dorset County Council
- West Dorset District Council
- Weymouth and Portland District Council
- Dorset Naturalist Trust
- Marine Biological Association
- Freshwater Biological Association
- National Trust
- DIHE
- Queens Harbour Master, Portland
- Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment, Portland and Bincleaves
- Plus a number of individuals with a scientific interest in the area
Dr P. Head, representing NERC, gave the opening address and gave the meeting some idea of the activities of other similar study groups already formed. He said the majority were estuarine groups based on a university science department and were concerned with such areas as the Severn, the Forth, the Tay, Liverpool Bay and Poole Harbour. The aim of each has been to collect and publish their information. The interests and character of the groups reflected the interests of the members. He also pointed out that although NERC funding had been available for research projects the likelihood of the Fleet Study Group getting funding was very low.
The meeting set up a working party to chart a way forward using guidelines set by this inaugural meeting. The meeting stressed the need for the Fleet Study Group to limit its activities to those of a scientific nature.
The working party met in Summer 1975, October 1975, January 1976, April 1976 and Autumn 1976 leading to the second full meeting of the Fleet Study Group in April 1977 held at Abbotsbury Village Hall in Rodden Row. The working party also conducted a bibliographic search and acquired various documents that now form the basis of the Fleet Study Group archive.
