01/02/39: Issue of congestion of people on the pier in evenings at weekends should be resolved by the ticket kiosk for the Coronia and Royal Lady closing whilst the boats are at sea.
02/08/39: The Clerk will report to the committee on the new Civil Defence Act.
13/09/39: The Lighthouse museum should remain open but lighting restrictions are now in place and the piers closed from sunset to sunrise. Pier businness rent rebates are requested by them due to the outbreak of war. The committee defers the response for 3 months. The car park is closed and the attendant given 1 week's notice. An Emergency Committee is formed.
08/11/39: Suggestion that an old mine casing be used to mark 'foul ground'.
06/02/40: An ARP (Air Raid Precautions) wardens post is set up on the pier. Wages for toilet and museum attendants is discussed. More rent relief is requested due to petrol rationing but the Clerk initially says no. By March they accede and give relief.
05/40: Usual issues of dredging the harbour, repairs to piers and staffing is discussed but the fish stall owners request rent reductions due to 'night-time blackouts' losing them trade along with an increase in rail fares. The Harbour Master asks if he takes a Royal Navy Commission would he be allowed back in post on the same wages when he returns?
13/05/40: Army Sentries are posted on the piers.
12/06/40: A chain boom is erected across the harbour entrance.
10/07/40: The Lighthouse museum exhibits are moved to the cellar of 10 Eastborough. A sea mine is landed by the trawler ST Connie. The fish stalls are all closed with their remaining rent debt written off.
08/40: Some harbour staff are laid off.
09/40: The Harbour Master will write to to the Royal Navy Office to see if fishing trawlers can leave harbour in the dark and anchor in the bay ready to leave at first light? The Harbour Commission prepares invoices to the War Department for use of pier premises etc.
13/11/40: Trawlers are asked not to moor together in the bay as they present a bigger target for bombing!
08/01/41: The Ministry of Transport announces the 'Goods Shed' will be used for storage of sugar.
12/02/41: Pier staff man, Mr Whitehead, requests leave for military service whilst the Commission secretary resigns due to getting married.
09/04/41: The Ministry of Transport requires the prevention any accounts being published.
11/06/41: Clothes rationing will not affect staff uniform supply.
09/07/41: Ideas to protect the lighthouse from incendiary bombing with the use of corregated iron and sandbags is discussed.
10/09/41: The Harbour Master will write to the Authorities to see if the tank barriers on the pier can be adjusted to allow 'heavy traffic' to access the fish market.
10/12/41: A fire pump and fire watchers are in place. A quote for putting 2 inches of concrete on the lighthouse building roof is sought. A request is made to reduce paper consumption in agendas etc.
08/07/42: Many discussions about the harbour entrance silting up and discussions on purchasing a dredger go on for most of the war years.
15/09/43: The minefield near the harbour entrance is causing concern over the dangers along with barbed wire on the piers. No fish boxes are allowed to be stored in lofts for fire reasons but kids are nicking some in the night.
11/04/45: The first mention of 'post war' arrangements is mentioned along with speed boat use.
11/07/45: VE, Victory in Europe, day holidays are discussed along with a request from the wife of a man serving in the forces asking for a reduction in mooring dues. Her request is denied on the grounds that all serving men with boats will then expect the same!
