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Vote for Morecambe Bay Partnership!

Let’s lend our LOVEmyBEACH support to Morecambe Bay Partnership who are seeking funding to tackle plastic from the coast!

Our partner is seeking public votes to win funding from an internationally renowned conservation charity, to help it banish plastic from our beautiful coastline.

The only UK-based project to be shortlisted in the ‘marine’ category of the European Outdoor Conservation Association’s annual funding awards, ‘Clear the Bay by Day’ seeks to mobilise an army of volunteers to rid Morecambe Bay’s beaches and coastline of plastic waste and the new pandemic of Covid-related PPE. If this project secures the most votes by noon on Thursday 22^nd October it will win the funding. Voting is now open http://bit.ly/nowvoteMBP.

Volunteers for Morecambe Bay Partnership, the charity leading this charge against plastic in Morecambe Bay, have removed 47.3 tonnes of rubbish – the equivalent of 4 double decker buses – from around the Bay in the last 17 years. Yet sadly, the amount of rubbish and COVID-related PPE waste on Morecambe Bay’s shores, cycle-ways and trails, has increased noticeably over the last 6 months. If left unchecked, plastic pollution may irreversibly harm the ecologically fragile beauty spots of the Bay.

Not only does ‘Clear the Bay by Day’ hope to remove litter with the help of an army of dedicated volunteer beach and trail cleaners, it hopes to raise awareness amongst the local communities, businesses and visitors who cherish Morecambe Bay, of how they can help reverse this worrying trend – with simple actions such as shunning the use of single-use plastics, taking litter home and passing the message on. Clear the Bay by Day also hopes to explore ways of ensuring that as little of the collected waste ends up in landfill, by working with local artists and innovative companies who are exploring alternative uses for unrecyclable plastics.

Susannah Bleakley, CEO of Morecambe Bay Partnership said “We all have a greater connection with nature since the pandemic hit us this year, this is a chance for you to give something back to nature. Please vote for this incredibly important project. The Bay is cherished by so many local people and holiday makers who share a love of this very special place. But plastic and other waste is having a hugely detrimental effect on our environment and we must take action now to reverse the trend. Please, vote now to do your bit to help save our Bay from the blight of plastic and other waste.”

Voting is open now on the EOCA website http://bit.ly/nowvoteMBP and closes at noon on Thursday 22^nd October.

World Mental Health Day 2020

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, which is a time for us all to think about how we can better take car of ourselves and others when it comes to our mental health.

Covid-19 has had a huge impact on all of us, including on our mental health. Social restrictions, isolation and limited access to things we would usually like to do and enjoy has meant that people are struggling more than usual and may be encountering mental health issues they have not experienced previously. That’s why it is more important now than ever to take steps to improve our health and wellbeing.

Luckily for those of us who live in the North West, we have a beautiful coastline where we can get some fresh air, connect to nature and get some exercise – even if that is just a short stroll on the beach to blow the cobwebs away.

Multiple studies show that spending time in nature and increasing activity levels can have huge health benefits, from losing weight and improving heart function to reducing the effects of conditions such as anxiety and depression.

A recent study from Defra showed that accessing coastal environments can have a therapeutic effect and play a role in boosting health and wellbeing.

Domestic Marine Minister, Rebecca Pow said: “Whether it is to enjoy a sport, take a walk, watch the wildlife or to simply admire the landscape, for many of us spending time by the sea is not only hugely enjoyable, but it has a welcome impact on our well-being too.”

When visiting the coastline, please check the local restrictions and Government advice to ensure you can enjoy the coast safely during the pandemic.

If you are struggling with issues relating to your mental health, be sure to contact your GP or access services and advice from organisations such as Mind.

We are all in this together and even though we have to stay apart, we are not alone.

Covid Restrictions on Lancashire Volunteer Groups

Following the Government’s announcement on new restrictions this week, Keep Britain Tidy and LOVEmyBEACH have decided we will not be supporting litter picks and beach cleans in mixed groups from different households in Lancashire.

We will continue to support volunteers litter picking in family groups, support bubbles or on your own.

Since we resumed beach cleans in June, we have been operating in small groups of 6 and maintaining 2m social distancing requirements. Some groups are still not operating at this capacity and have been volunteering independently. Other groups which are not insured with LOVEmyBEACH are also operating independently and it falls to these groups to make a decision on group beach cleans.

It is not against the law to meet in groups outdoors, but given higher levels of infections, it is the advice of the Director of Public Health in Lancashire not to mix between households.

We strongly advise all beach clean groups to follow Government and LOVEmyBEACH advice and refrain from going out in groups outside of your own household or support bubble.

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep up-to-date with the latest Government advice. We will inform you of any changes going forward.

For any questions about this please email zephie.begolo@keepbritaintidy.org

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Water quality

The Environment Agency monitors bathing waters – stretches of sea or lake where many people swim and paddle – to assess whether they meet the strict standards of the European Bathing Water Directive. The standards are set to protect public health and the environment from pollution.

The Environment Agency takes 20 water samples at each bathing water between May and September each year and post the information online: http://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/

The samples are tested for certain types of bacteria: escherichia coli (E.coli) and intestinal enterococci, which are not directly harmful but indicate the presence of pollution. The bacteria are found in the intestines of animals and humans and pass through the body in poo. High levels of bacteria = poor water quality.

However, the water may be cleaner on the actual day you visit the beach, as the quality can change, particularly after heavy rain washes pollution into rivers and the sea. Look out for daily forecasts at some beaches.

Each beach is also given an annual classification. From 2015 this is based on sample results over the previous four years, e.g. 2015 results use data from 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. 2016 results use data from 2013 to 2016 and so on. The classifications are:

Excellent

The standard is the highest, cleanest class

Good

Generally good water quality

Sufficient

The water meets the minimum standards

Poor

Bathing is not advised at this beach as water quality has not met sufficient standards

If a bathing water is classed as Poor, you are advised not to bathe because samples taken over the previous four years have been affected by pollution. This does not mean the beach is closed – you can still enjoy everything the beach has to offer.

If a water sample has high levels of bacteria, analysis is done to estimate* the sources of pollution and work is planned in the area to improve water quality. When this work is significant and is expected to help improve bathing water quality, the four years of data for the annual classification starts from the time the work is completed and sample data from before the work are not included. This is called step change.

*Estimates are based on computer modelling, DNA analysis, and knowledge of the local area. The estimates can never be perfect because pollution to bathing waters changes from day to day depending on the season, the tides and the weather.