Coastwise's final meeting of the year is traditionally the AGM, with some additional interest.

This year the topic of the Beach Profiles (see Tab above) was chosen. However, first, Liesje, who works at the Northam Burrows Countryside Centre, showed the results of research into huge whalebones which were exposed nearby in the winter gales (see pic, Top R). It transpires that these came from a huge Fin Whale nearly 20m long (r, 2nd from Top), stranded in 1921, and the research found Natural History Museum records of the event.

Coastwise members have been keen supporters of the Cornwall Seal Research Trust over the last few years and during their latest visit, Sue Sayer and Rob Wells told the story of Septimus Seal, whose skeleton accompanied them to Barnstaple Library.

His story started in 2016 when he was identified, but soon after spotted dead on a Cornish beach.
Sue and Rob between them recounted the story of how his body was recovered and gradually prepared for assembly and display as an educational resource.

Dr Tara Hoope analysed the 'before' and 'after' survey results from her talk on15th Nov, and the conclusion is that quite a few members changed their view on the topic.

Read the full results here.