Huge concern for barge refugees’ safety

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Campaigners fear the Bibby Stockholm asylum seekers’ barge could become a ‘floating Grenfell’ as it starts to fill up over the coming weeks. The barge, which was built to house 222 people, is expected to accommodate 500 migrants, plus 40 staff.

Concerned groups, including Stand Up to Racism Dorset and West Dorset MP Chris Loder, fear the vessel has not been properly assessed for safety –particularly in case of fire. The evacuation point on the barge has been described as ‘completely inadequate’, with people warning there could be a ‘Hillsborough-type crush’. The barge had not been cleared by the fire service before the first residents arrived. on Monday.

The barge has 222 cabins over three decks, with just two primary emergency exits. One person told The Times a fire safety check sparked urgent concerns. Another said Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was ‘very critical on a number of safety issues’.

Nicola David of One Life to Live has outlined her concerns. She said: “It seems to me that evacuating the barge in the event of a fire or any other emergency, such as a sudden ingress of water, could prove an impossible challenge.

“All of my research, and everyone I’ve spoken to, indicates that the rot found in the hull during its time in dry dock, and the overcrowding on the barge, render the barge entirely unsafe from the point of view of additional weight and inherent fire risks.

“Add to this the extremely narrow corridors, windows that can’t be used for escape, no lifejackets, no fire drills, and a tiny and inescapable evacuation compound surrounded by insurmountable fencing and locked gates. In an emergency, the sense of panic could only be heightened by smoke, potentially dim emergency lighting, disorientation, and –for those without sufficient English – an inability to respond to verbal instructions.

“I just don’t see how everyone could get off the barge... in the event of a serious incident.

“Bibby Stockholm feels like a disaster waiting to happen.”

Lynne Hubbard, joint chair of Stand Up to Racism Dorset, said: “We welcome refugees. “We’re opposed to this prison barge and no one should be moved onto a vessel that’s unsafe. We want refugees on the Bibby Stockholm to know we stand with them against the government’s hostile policies, which encourage racism and hostility.”

Stand Up to Racism Dorset, trade unions and faith groups have joined forces to welcome the refugees, with a welcome message in specially made giant letters and 50 welcome packs to help the refugees acclimatise.

Lynne said: “Many people have come forward with everything from clothing and toiletries to assistance with legal issues, English language, sporting activities and social events.”

She added: “Refugees are here because of crises in which they have been compelled to flee war and persecution. It’s cruel to cram them onto the barge, converted to house double the number of people for which it was designed. We deplore the decision of Langham Industries, owners of Portland Port, to berth the barge. They are profiting from human tragedy. “The Government is wasting millions paying Langham Industries and the owners of the barge. It should be investing in an effective system for asylum applications and tackling the vast backlog of cases.”

MP Chris Loder has told the Home Secretary and Baroness Vere (the Minister responsible for the Marine and Coastguard Agency the barge ‘cannot be deemed safe as no risk assessment can be provided’. He asked that either the Bibby Stockholm is stopped, or that the necessary risk assessments are provided.

He wrote: “For months, I have been asking for sight of the safety risk assessments that should have been done.”

Government funding has been agreed to pay for infrastructure enhancements. Dorset Council, which has also outlined its opposition to the barge, will receive £3,500 per occupied bed space and a one-off payment of £377,000 to help provide asylum seekers with activities, volunteering opportunities and English-speaking lessons, to be delivered through voluntary and community organisations.

However it is clear the council is simply trying to do the best thing in a very trying situation –the barge appears to have been foisted on the area without consultation.

A council spokesman said: “The decision to site a floating barge in Portland Port for 500 asylum seekers was made by the Home Office and facilitated through a commercial arrangement with Portland Port. Dorset Council was not consulted and had no decision-making powers over this arrangement.

“From the outset, Dorset councillors have been clear about their concerns and opposition to the location of this scheme. The council explored options to pursue legal action to challenge the Home Office’s decision. Following specialist legal advice and the experience of other councils across the country, Dorset Council made the decision not to take legal action as it was unlikely to be successful and would incur high costs to local taxpayers.” n A public meeting at the Centenary Club in Jubilee Close, Weymouth DT4 7BG, on Thursday, August 10 at 7.30pm will hear from Moyra Samuels of Justice for Grenfell, Jenny Lennon-Wood, secretary of Dorset TUC, and Heather, a campaigner from Portland. All welcome.

Sherborne & District Gardener’s Association will be holding its 78th Summer Show at the Digby Hall, Hound Street. Staging will start at 7pm, judging at 7.45pm. All are welcome. Charge for visitors £3. Details from Richard Newcombe 01935 389375.

A garden will open for the NGS at Broomhill, Rampisham DT2 0PT 2pm5pm. £5 entry, children under 16 free. Call 07775 806 875.

Glorious two-acre garden, with extensive herbaceous borders and island beds, planted with a succession of bee-friendly perennials, annuals and shrubs. Lawns and paths lead to a less formal area with a large wildlife pond and a small meadow, the garden also has a productive vegetable garden, cutting garden and orchard. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome, wheelchair access. Ample parking.

Delicious homemade teas and quality plants for sale.

Chesil Bank Writing Shed meets on the second Thursday of each month 7pm-9pm at Portesham Village Hall. Whatever your writing style and genre come and share it with us for feedback. Challenge yourself with fun writing prompts, and learn more about the business of being a writer. New writers always welcome. Find out more: lindaph.co.uk

Saturday, Aug 12

August 12-20

Six days of brilliant classical, jazz, world music, bluegrass and more with internationally acclaimed performers and a nine-day exhibition featuring some of the finest art and ceramics in the South West. An art exhibition is in the Village Hall. Admission free. Lunchtime and evening concerts and late-night recitals in St Mary's Church Burton Bradstock from Monday, August 14 to Friday, August 18. Tickets via Bridport Tourist

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Amazing critters on show in museum’s exhibitions

Dorset Museum is hosting two stunning wildlife photography exhibitions until October.

Trevor Parsons’ Nature Heals exhibition showcases work he says he used as a ‘self-help therapy tool’ to recover from trauma.

The museum is also displaying more than 100 images from the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition until October 29 – entry is free. Verwood based Trevor said: “I’ve had two mental breakdowns and nature and photography was a fundamental part of my recovery. I was off work for ten months and was admitted into St Ann’s Hospital in Poole twice in 2013 and 2014. When I was within nature all the dark thoughts that were rushing around in my head faded slightly, especially when I was taking a photo as I was focusing on that one moment in time and it gave me some much-needed headspace.

“This is when I realised how powerful nature and photography is as a selfhelp therapy tool. Since then, I’ve been promoting its benefits to try and help others going through mental illness now I’ve found a passion and motivation I never knew I had before.” Photos from the exhibition will be also exhibited on a cinema screen with an accompanying soundtrack at Dorchester’s Corn Exchange 1pm-7pm on Wednesday, September 6. Trevor will be on hand to talk about his experiences and information and advice about mental health issues will also be available.

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Information Centre. Details at burtonbradstockfestival.com

Tower Tours will be held at All Saints church, Wyke Regis at 10am and 11am. Explore the bell tower and climb the 100 steps to experience the wonderful panoramic view at the top. Tickets £5 at parishofwyke regis.org.uk/events

The Originals band, playing hits from the 60s 70s 80s, are playing at Wyke Working Men’s Club.

The Loving Earth Textile Exhibition will be held at Sherborne Abbey until August 20, 10am-5pm, admission free.

The Loving Earth project was started in 2019 by just a few Quakers but quickly generated interest from a wide range of people and has spread around the world. It celebrates some of the wonderful things threatened by growing environmental breakdown, helping people to engage creatively and constructively with these issues, without being overwhelmed. More than 500 textile panels have been created using a variety of techniques such as embroidery, felting, appliqué and knitting, often using recycled or pre-used materials.

Absolutely Elton will be playing at Dorchester’s Brewery Square 1pm-3pm.

The Dorset Vegan MegaMarket will be at Maumbury Rings, Dorchester DT1 1TY from 10am to 4pm today and Sunday, August 13. Entry free. There will be 50+ stalls with hot and cold food and drink, cakes, pastries, health and beauty and so much more! And, weather permitting, bouncy castles and slides. For more info email wdveganevents@gmail.com

Sunday, August 13

A steam and waterwheel open day will be held at Sherborne Steam and Waterwheel Centre (DT9 3RX) 11.30am to 3.30pm. The volunteer-run site will have the waterwheel and Hindley steam engine in operation, with audio-visual presentations, displays of machinery and many items of local and historic interest. There is a tea-room, picnic tables, toilet and free parking on Oborne Road. There is wheelchair access to displays, except toilet and Visitor centre, and entry is by donation.

The Friends of Greenhill Gardens (greenhillgardens.co.uk, 01305 768446) are holding live music every Sunday in August, 2pm-4pm featuring: SUN 13 11th Hour,

SUN 20 The Originals and Sat 27 and SUN 28 Coool Swing weekend.

Monday, August 14

Weymouth Bay Methodist Church are holding their annual Arts & Crafts Fair from August 14-19. Lots of stalls to visit over two floors with refreshments available all day. Includes jewellery, cards, fabric crafts and bric-a-brac. Open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday and 10am-2pm Saturday. Free entry.

A spectacular firework display will be held over Weymouth seafront at 9.30pm. Where possible, people are encouraged to leave their cars at home and walk or use public transport when getting to and from the displays.

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

There’s a demonstration and talk by Dave Willis on Ropemaking, at Bridport Museum, South Street, at 5pm for 5.30pm. Tickets £5 from museum shop.

Wessex Morris will be dancing on the seafront, Lyme Regis, DT7 3JF at 7.30pm and the Talbot Arms Hotel, Uplyme, DT7 3TF at 9pm.

Song of the Sea, a recital with Katharine Fuge (soprano) and Laetitia Fédérici (piano) will be held at 7pm at the Eype Centre for the Arts, Mount Lane, Bridport DT6 6AR Free entry, retiring collection for RNLI Lifeguards.

Weds, August 16

Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show will be held today and tomorrow, featuring scores of stands, agricultural and horticultural classes, classic cars, entertainment, food and drink and more.

Tickets and info at gillinghamandshaftesburysho w.co.uk or call 01747 823955.

A Wild in the Park family fun day will be held in Lodmoor Country Park. Nature-themed craft activities and follow clues on park trails from 11am-2pm.

Activities range from making bird feeders to natural weaving and pebble painting.

There’ll be ‘Fabulous Fish and Curious Creatures’ outside West Bay Discovery Centre 11am-3pm. Using clay and driftwood, watercolours, salt and magic, create some of the fabulous creatures who live under the waves. Oops Wow Messy Art will be at this

BEST IN SHOW!

A jam-packed day out is promised at the 176th Melplash Agricultural Show 8am-6pm on Thursday, August 24 off West Bay Road.