General Discussion
Is there a group of local citizens who perform regular beach clean ups on the various beaches between Dawlish and the Warren? If so, do any of you good folks have contact details for them as my wife and I would love to assist when we can. We're both new to the area and so don't have the local contacts, and we both work full time in Exeter but would love to spend a few hours now and again improving our beaches and clearing up the shit that gets washed up from elsewhere. Thanks.
Sounds like an idea for the Big Society to me.:)
Seriously though, why not ask at the Rangers' office at Dawlish Warren they may be able to advise.
LOL. This volunteering I'm referring to is in addition to full time work, rather than a substitute for it! LOL. Thanks for the advice, I'll ask the rangers office, but don't they only have responsibility for the nature reserve? It's all of our beaches that I'm thinking of.
Yes they do have responsibility for the nature reserve but I feel sure that the nature of their work (if you pardon the pun) is that they would know of any groups involved in beach cleaning schemes.
If no joy there, then why not write letter to Dawlish Gazette about the issue and see if that brings any info.
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@Andy Mac - not sure but i think a chap called ian at the dawlish garden trust on port road co-ordinates the clearing of seaweed during the holiday season. he should be able to assist cheers
We went down this road a few years ago. Teignbridge Council is responsible for keeping the beach clean, and the railway is responsible for the wall and slipways. You may see a council operative walking along the wall from time to time with an implement like long tongs and a sack. There is also a local co-ordinator. The problem with all this seems to be that it is not a year round service, and it doesn't in any case reach all of the beaches. We did things 'properly', and asked the council if we could do voluntary cleaning, and even had a meeting with the person responsible at Forde House. This unfortunately took us into the realm of Council bureaucracy - the tedious Health and Safety- and they wanted to kit us out with high vis jackets, mobile phones, gloves, boots, schedules and god only knows what else. In the end we decided this was quite ridiculous, and decided to just get on with it and do it, as a few other people do. You may find this the best approach.
I believe there is an annual litter pick at the Warren which is normally well publicised.
The amount of litter is disgraceful though, particularly in the summer. Sad to say it is mostly the tourists who seem to consider it a fine notion to eat fish and chips on the beach and then leave all the detritus to blow everywhere. Personally I feel that the big holiday parks at the Warren should provide manpower to clean up, but that's another issue.
Agree with Bardwell - just do your own thing like others of us do and if you see rubbish (especially plastic stuff as that's not at all good for the wildlife) pick it up and dispose of it yourself. Not how things should be I agree but there you go that's how it is.
Perhaps we should lobby our MP about this and see what she suggests. Wonder if she'd say it was an ideal project for The Big Society ? :)
Thanks for the replies everyone. As newcomers it would be great to take part in an organised effort to clear the beaches - most of the detritus is washed up, to be fair - however we'd be happy to go it alone. We're proud of where we live and hope to never take it for granted. :-)
Thanks for the replies everyone. As newcomers it would be great to take part in an organised effort to clear the beaches - most of the detritus is washed up, to be fair - however we'd be happy to go it alone. We're proud of where we live and hope to never take it for granted. :-)