Top turnout for big beach cleaning event
THERE was a fantastic turnout for North Devon's Big Beach Clean, demonstrating more than words can say the enormous value local people put on the natural environment.
More than 650 dedicated volunteers arrived at beaches across the region for the three day event and filled more than 700 bin bags with rubbish.
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HANDS ON: Children from Combe Martin Primary School get busy at the beach. Picture: Mike Southon 1003-122_06
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GIVE US A WAVE: Combe Martin Primary School make a difference.
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DOLLED UP: A volunteer at Portledge finds a doll.
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HANDS FULL: A volunteer at Portledge picks up rubbish.
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GIRLS ON TOP: From left, Rachel Edworthy, six, and three-year-old Emma Edworthy collect rubbish at Putsborough.
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TIRED OUT: A young volunteer with an old tyre.
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GREEN TEAM: Members of the Borderline Morris Dancers are joined by other keen volunteers at Croyde.
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ALL SORTS: Miles Kingsley, George Critchard and Ross Kingsley on the pebble ridge at Westward Ho! Picture: Rob Tibbles 1003-139_03
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BAG IT UP: George Moulton, 8; Verity Moulton, 3; Sarah Gallifent; Emily Engledew, 9 and Andrew Moulton. 1003-139_06
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BARKING: A four-legged friend gets into the cleaning spirit.
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TOP TWO: Deborah and Sebastian Crane of Ilfracombe at Wildersmouth. Picture: Mike Southon 1003-123_05
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BAGS: Two from the Prince's Trust Team Programme at Green Cliff Beach, near Abbotsham.
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LITTER PICKERS: Lynmouth beach is targeted by volunteers.
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HELPING OUT: Torridge and West Devon's MP Geoffrey Cox does his bit for the Beach Clean at Westward Ho! Picture: Rob Tibbles 1003-139_05
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WET AND WINDY: Volunteers at Hele Beach.
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VOLUNTEERS: Ray Bilton, Louise Cookson, Russel Lewis, David Preece, Yvonne Bailey and Keith Dobie on Lundy.
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SACKS READY: Putsborough volunteers come together.
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PICKING UP: Tom Hardy at Wildersmouth beach. 1003-123_01
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STRANGE ITEMS: Some of the rubbish collected from Lee Beach.
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CLEANING UP: Volunteers find a whole load of rubbish at Instow!
Organised by North Devon's Biosphere Reserve team, and supported by The Journal , the event brought together people of all ages and from every walk of life — including the area's two MPs — each united by a desire to make beaches cleaner and safer for wildlife.
And, judging by the numbers of enthusiastic children who took part, it would seem that North Devon's shorelines are in safe hands for the future.
What could have been a disaster for the Lundy beach clean turned out well in the end.
It was originally scheduled for Saturday but helicopters were fog bound and visitors were delayed until Sunday.
Assistant warden Sophie Wheatley said: "Fortunately a group of volunteers from the Lundy Field Society arrived on Sunday who were all too willing to help out.
"We are really lucky that we don't get much rubbish washing up on our beaches and so with our small team we were able to do a really thorough job."
Self employed Tom Harvey was the first volunteer at Ilfracombe's main beach.
He said: "I work from home, so I am quite flexible and I have a little bit of time during the day if I need to.
"I think it is a really good idea to clean up the beaches and make them look nicer for us and visitors and safer for wildlife."
Six members of the Crane family of Ilfracombe also turned out in force.
Mum Clare said: "We spend hours on the beach so it makes sense to have a clean beach.
"I think it is a good idea to encourage community spirit."
Altogether 29 beaches were covered in the clean up challenge.
Mike Moser, chairman of the Biosphere Reserve Partnership, paid tribute to everyone involved.
He said: "Such great community support can make a real difference in enhancing our local environment and maintaining our world class UNESCO status."
North Devon MP Nick Harvey said: "Well done to everyone who took part; let us hope that the attention this work receives will cause everyone to think and be more careful."
Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox said: "The Biosphere Reserve has made a tremendous effort in organising this event, and to have so many volunteers here today, is testament to all their hard work."
Learn more about the Biosphere at www.northdevonbiosphere.org.uk
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