Thousands of people are expected to take part in the annual Fort Walk later this month, but the Isle of Wight Safety Advisory Group is telling people to stay away.
The Bembridge Fort Walk – or as some may argue the St Helens Fort Walk – is a Summer tradition that is believed to be the biggest unorganised gathering on the Isle of Wight. Each year crowds of people walk and wade at low tide to St Helen’s Fort and back again, despite there being no organiser and no set time or date for the event.
Tide timetables show that the best opportunity to complete the walk, as a mass crowd, will be next week – with the date already circulating on social media and within the local community. For 2021 low tide is listed late in the evening just as the sunsets which will mean walkers will be heading out to sea at dusk… far from ideal conditions.
The Safety Advisory Group say that ‘overcrowding’ has resulted in casualties being caught out by the rising tides and uneven ground, but it’s known that on the whole the event goes without serious fault every year – as it has done for decades. Bembridge RNLI and HM Coastguard will be standing by in case of any incident.
In a bid to deter people from their annual pilgrimage, the Isle of Wight Council will control parking and access at Duver Road, St Helens so that parking along the narrow road does not block access for residents and emergency vehicles.
Officials have issued advice saying that it ‘impossible’ to safely access the fort except in very small numbers, that it is difficult to stay safe whilst climbing the fort and that the shore becomes crowded. Islanders are being encouraged to visit one of the ‘safer’ beaches on the Island instead.
There are no longer any COVID restrictions that prevent large crowds from gathering.
Safety advice you should follow:
• You are walking at your own risk – this is not an organised event. Locally it is described as a ‘happening’
• Check the weather forecast before you go. Do not attempt the walk in high winds or poor visibility
• It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk from the shore at Bembridge Point or St Helens Old Church to St Helens Fort and 30 minutes to get back to the beach (i.e 1hr round trip)
• Do not leave the shore after Low Water. Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach
• Aim to reach the Fort between 10 minutes before low water and 10 minutes after low water
• The walk is more strenuous than you think
• Keep a close eye on your children (and dogs) – it is a good idea for children to wear buoyancy aids
• Do not swim in the Bembridge Harbour Channel (marked by the red & green buoys) – there may be deep holes due to dredging
• If you are circling the Fort, don’t stop to admire the view, keeping walking
• Be prepared to get wet, you can be walking in water up to your waist
• Wear shoes as the causeway is stony; Flip Flops are not suitable
• Be careful of slipping on the rocks around the Fort
• Carry a means of calling for help (ideally a mobile in a waterproof case)
as per usual the nanny state dictators are trying to involve theirselves in something that people are exercising their freedom of choice and freedom of movement.
butt out council and interfering jobsworths.
What will it take, someone, a child, a poor dog to drown. They are expecting many to make this walk out. Don’t start spouting freedom and people’s rights for heaven’s sake. Perhaps COMMON SENSE maybe!!!!!
give it a rest sunshine and stop being such a nanny
read the article….but it’s known that on the whole the event goes without serious fault every year – as it has done for decades.
……
therefore, no need for the interfering council and do gooders like you proclaiming that the mythical child might drown.
Odd how local people are frowned upon for exploring their Islands history, yet countless dangerous journeys in our seas are happening daily by non Europeans in small crafts and little is done to prevent their ‘risk’ costing us all dearly once arrived for the rest of time.
If IOW residents have been advised to stay away, then STAY AWAY. What’s wrong with you all….hope people see sense.
I agree. If someone gets into difficulties, it isn’t just their life that is put at risk, it is also other people’s lives as a result, like anyone else who tries to help them, and the rescuers themselves have to use the resources in trying to save them.
nope – will be turning up en masse – as is the case every year. good to see