To mark our 50th Anniversary we launched a photography project inviting junior school pupils to celebrate with us by taking photographs of what they like, enjoy or consider to be special about Stokes Bay. The competition is now concluded with prizes presented at our AGM at the end of June.
This is a selection of their photographs with their comments commencing “I love Stokes Bay because…”.
…I love the way the sun shines on the water, and you can throw stones in the sea and you can eat ice cream and spend time with your family. (48)
…there are loads of adventures waiting. You can go for a scoot. You can see nature and build stuff. I also like skimming stones and finding remarkable shells, crabs and stones that look like dinosaur teeth. I also like seeing the sunset because it makes the sky orange and red. (26)
… I go sailing there. It has an awesome view of the Isle of Wight. I sail a Topper every Saturday morning at the beach. I also do the Junior Park Run on the beach. (34)
…Stokes bay means so much to all of us. I go there a lot, I play with my friends and have a fun time. I can go with family and spend quality time. It just feels nice and relaxing at Stokes Bay. I love the mix of beach and plants and grass. I have take a photo of me with my bike as it shows the beach is able to be used by people wanting to learn to ride. A picture with my baby sister because it shows the beach is for family and the sun reflecting off the to show the relaxing side to the beach. To me stokes bay beach is home, happiness, peace, calm, fun and family all in one location full of the best memories for most of Gosport people. (17) 
…it’s beautiful in any season. Plus, I love to walk my dog along the beach and she loves it too! (39)
…it is more than a beach. It’s unique. It holds memories of thousands of those that have passed. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset and sunrise and when the tide goes out there is a small island which you can just hop over a little stream on to the island. And if you look to the western side it’s the perfect spot to watch the sun go down. It’s the place that bought my family to live close to the sea. Stokes Bay is my favourite place in Gosport. (29)
…the park is fun. I like the mini golf with friends. And I enjoy bike rides and ice cream. (18) 
…it has great views, and I love walking down there and paddling in the sea and eating ice cream. (2) 
…of the beautiful views I get from the shore of the glistening sea. I also love the sunset because of the way it makes the sky pretty and how it gives the bay a welcoming atmosphere. I also love the vegetation; I like how it gives me a little sense of wild. (44)
…there are beautiful sunsets with amazing views of the Isle of Wight and really tasty ice cream. (32) 
…the scenery is so picturesque. I also love taking my dog, Alistair, out for walks; he loves to swim in the sea. I also love meeting my friends at their beach hut near GAFIRS and cheering my sister on at the Park Run. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful place to do all this. (45)
5 
… it is where I live, go to school and make memories. I also like going to the beach to spend time with family friends and members. We go on walks, find shells, do the Junior Park Run, play in the play park and occasionally eat ice cream on the beach whilst enjoying sunsets. Stokes Bay is a special place full of history, Fort Gilkicker, a launch location for D-Day and a home to an array of beautiful flowers and wildlife. I also love playing petanque with my grandparents. 
…it’s a place you can enjoy with your friends and family. I like to roller blade along the Golden Mile, paddle in the sea and have a picnic with an ice cream on the beach. (13) 
…because of the scenery, it is beautiful, especially when the sun is setting and rising. I go sailing sometimes and Stokes Bay is a good spot to anchor and enjoy the great view from out at sea. If you are on the beach, there are landmarks to spot on the Isle of Wight, like the Osborne House. (23)
…the sea makes me feel like I am at home and safe. It keeps me calm. I love paddle boarding in the sea with my friends and family. I feel lucky to live near Stokes Bay because some of my friends don’t have the sea close by to enjoy like I do. My sister, who is 7, said that it looks like fairy dust on the sea when the sun is shining. (8)