An Angus sailing club is continuing to improve its defences in its ongoing battle against coastal erosion.
The steps down to the beach which had stood strong for most of Montrose Sailing Club’s 50-year history were damaged in the winter storms which battered Angus.
A coffee morning in Old and St Andrew’s church hall raised £660 which will go towards repairing the damaged steps.
MSC Commodore Kathy Locke said coastal erosion is a problem which the club has encountered on more than one occasion throughout its history.
She said: “There have been many attempts over the years to protect the shoreline near the sailing club. On an occasion many years ago, a well-meaning club member deposited a load of rubble to help prevent erosion towards the road.
“The club knew nothing of this at the time and in spite of the fact that it was not planned and seemed like a mistake at the time, it is still intact and providing a good defence today.
“The council has also been involved in protecting the area around the club from erosion in recent years. They were responsible for placing the large sandbags on the beach south of the club to help prevent erosion towards the road.
“In spite of the attempts made to protect the area from erosion, the residents of the house north of the sailing club were less fortunate a few years ago when the roadway outside their house was washed away.
“This has since been repaired but emphasises that the area is vulnerable to erosion in adverse weather conditions.
“With winter storms seeming to become more frequent, the potential for further erosion around the sailing club is prevalent and it is in our interests to continue to improve defences so that the club can continue to flourish in the coming years.”
First formed with only a few keen members in May 1964, the club has gone through a number of positive changes over the years.
Where the steps are from Esk Road down to the shore was a launching ramp, constructed from salvaged railway sleepers and telegraph poles by club members, for launching and retrieving the club’s first safety boat.
This boat was an ex-lifeboat powered by a four horsepower ‘seagull’ engine and due to its weight, it was retrieved by hauling it up the ramp using a block and tackle.
At the site of the concrete slipway came another wooden slipway for launching dinghies. This was replaced by a more substantial concrete one between 1981 and 82.
This slipway, was well used and held up well to the elements until it was eroded to an extent where it had to be replaced.
The club was fortunate enough to receive funding of around £1,000 in 2011 to replace the slipway, and over the course of a weekend, club members rallied together to construct the current slipway.
Coastal erosion has also caused problems at Montrose Golf Course with the historic course in danger of slipping into the sea.
The Medal course has already had to be altered after storms led to the loss of dunes at the edge of the fairway between the second and fifth holes.