Sometimes it can be difficult being a councillor. The ‘Great Castle Cove Beach Saga’ is a case in point.

I just wish that the council’s coffers were overflowing with fairy gold, then everybody would get everything they wanted. Here are a few possibilities.

Providing care at home for the elderly or infirm – but then I’m knocking on a bit myself so I would probably be accused of feathering my own nest.

Building decent athletics facilities on the Marsh – a public asset which could benefit hundreds or more of all ages with a bit of investment.

Rescuing the beachfront chalets from years of neglect would be a step towards restoring Weymouth’s former glories. The list could go on.

Unfortunately the dosh is limited so someone has to make priorities and that means the councillors. I’m afraid that spending public money on providing and maintaining private access to a private beach isn’t top of my list.

But the solution which the Friends of Castle Cove Beach want is in their own hands.

Steve Elsworth tells us that a new set of steps could be knocked up for a couple of quid by any average handyman in his lunch hour, or words to that effect, so why aren’t he and the Friends fundraising?

A few thousand people signed the petition which went to the council. If they all shelled out ten bob – that’s fifty pence in our money – there would be plenty.

As a last resort they might like to try talking to the relevant councillors. I have never heard a serious dickybird though my contact details are a matter of public knowledge.

Trumpeting your demands for public cash in the Echo, it might not be the best way forward. Just a thought!

John Birtwistle
Councillor for Weymouth East