Hi there, let me introduce myself!
My name is Elaine and I have been asked by editor Louise D'Costa to write a monthly blog about my life in Weymouth, Dorset.
I haven't always lived here: in fact, I have lived most of my life in the Caterham area until five years ago. I was teaching full time in a local primary school, but I had always dreamt of living by the sea. I am drawn to it!
So, my family and I made the decision to sell our house and moved to Weymouth: the road we live on, although not directly on the sea front, is within 50 metres of it.
It was here that my creative side began to emerge and I started to look for driftwood on the beaches to make into art. I set up a business from home and now I have an online website with hand-crafted and Fairtrade products. This year I have also joined with a business partner to run home parties, which raise money for charities.
Community effort
Our local beach didn't have any steps when we moved here, and we had to use a rope to get down to it, but the community got together and raised money to have new steps put in.
Walking on the beach daily I am appalled at what is churned up onto our shores. After every high tide there are more items. There is so much rubbish out there. I am a volunteer to empty the bin and we have declared it a litter free beach. It is much cleaner now the many volunteers attend to it daily.
Read my next Life by the sea blog, and then visit me at Little Harbour Crafts and Gifts!
(You can also reach me at littleharbourgifts@gmail.com)
