This morning three of us stood together watching martins and swallows scooping up flies along the surface of the Asker. The pair of little egrets have returned, and we're hoping they may nest here this year. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall tomorrow morning when the guys at Bridport Town Council turn on their computers, and find 500 emails objecting to the Asker Meadows parking application in their inboxes? When those who have signed our paper petitions are added in, our total number of signatures is ticking up towards 700. Thanks again for all your sharing and networking, and welcome if this is the first update you've received since you signed. Please have a big push if you're still up. We'd love to reach 700 by the morning. We've been told that a decision will be taken this week about whether to extend the period of 'consultation' for the application. But our best hope is that when councillors and officers see the strength of opposition to the plans they will drop them altogether. If you feel passionately that this is what you want to happen then there is something you can do. It'll take a few minutes longer than just supporting a petition, but could make all the difference to quickly knocking this ill-conceived plan on the head. If you vote in Bridport Town Council elections, or regularly visit Asker Meadows, please email or phone your and other councillors, say that you oppose the plan, and that you want them to withdraw it. Please make sure you are familiar with the plans. (Found here bit.ly/23agzXQ).The key is that the application is for a change of use, and that the parking will be on a Local Nature Reserve. The application isn't to concrete over the field, or at this stage, to have parking everyday or all year round. But it sets a precedent, and once permission is given for parking, it will be easier to extend times, volume and even the surface of the 'site'. This is the link to the councillors contact details bit.ly/1TA1g8g If the council perseveres with the application, sadly we expect the debate may become polarised and heated. It's the purpose of our campaign to be informed and civil, and to propose other, sustainable and innovative, ways to welcome people into the town, whilst protecting this splendid jewel in Bridport's crown. Ged, Wendy, Toni and Rich for Friends of Asker Meadows