Latest news with #SeasideAward
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Why West Wittering Beach is one of the best in the UK
West Wittering Beach has scooped two prestigious awards. The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards mark the beach as one of the UK's top coastal destinations, celebrated for its high environmental standards, quality bathing water, safety measures, and visitor facilities. The Blue Flag award, an international marker of beach excellence, shows that the beach not only meets but surpasses strict standards for environmental management, water quality, safety, and environmental education. The Seaside Award celebrates the beach's ability to offer a well-managed and enjoyable visitor experience. A key factor in the beach securing these awards is its commitment to maintaining excellent bathing water quality. Regular testing during the bathing season consistently sees the water rated as being "excellent". Visitors can check real-time and historical water quality data on the Environment Agency's website. This is especially useful after heavy rainfall or stormy weather, which can temporarily affect water quality due to natural runoff. Visitors must book their parking space online in advance of visiting the beach. Bookings close at 11pm the night before the intended visit, and during busy periods, availability may be limited. Visitors without a pre-booked space might be denied entry to the car park, with no alternative parking options nearby. Advance booking also offers a financial advantage, with pre-booked parking often up to 25 per cent cheaper than on-the-day charges. A team of professional lifeguards is on duty daily throughout the summer season. Beachgoers are advised to swim between the clearly marked red and yellow flags and follow any safety guidance from the lifeguard team. Visitors are urged to dispose of litter responsibly, avoid using disposable barbecues, and respect the protected dune areas and local wildlife.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Celebrations as two beaches in same town awarded Blue Flag status for the first time
Hastings has been awarded the Blue Flag and Seaside Award status for both Marina and Pelham beaches for the first time. The awards, presented by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognise the best beaches in England. This marks a significant achievement for the town in its efforts to improve and maintain the quality of its coastline. Julia Hilton, deputy leader and councillor responsible for tourism at Hastings Borough Council, said: "We are delighted that Pelham has joined Marina beach in receiving both the Blue Flag and Seaside Award for the first time. "Hastings Borough Council is proud of the quality of the beaches we have in our town. "We work hard alongside fantastic volunteers to keep our beaches clean and maintain the water quality, so it is great to see this work being recognised." The Blue Flag and Seaside Award status is not easily achieved, with strict criteria to be met. This includes excellent bathing water quality, with regular sampling and testing for microbiological and physical-chemical parameters. Councillor Hilton acknowledged the challenges faced with Southern Water, but praised the maintenance of the award status as a "great achievement." She added: "One of the key Blue Flag requirements is excellent bathing water quality. "This includes having sampling points in the areas on our bathing beaches most used, as well as near potential pollution sources on these beaches, such as streams, rivers, or stormwater outlets, to ensure these do not affect water quality. "Samples must be taken regularly at these bathing beaches and tested for both microbiological and physical-chemical parameters." Councillor Hilton also encouraged residents and visitors to help keep the seafront tidy by disposing of rubbish responsibly and reporting full bins on My Hastings. She said: "You can all do your bit to help keep our seafront tidy by putting your rubbish into bins or taking it home with you. "If the bins are full, please report these on My Hastings so our waste teams can empty them." She also reminded beachgoers to check the RNLI website for safety advice and to follow the guidance of on-duty lifeguards.
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Seaside town named one of best in the UK is loved by families who visit
Southwold's pristine beach makes it a hit for both families and those looking to dip their toes in the sea. Pier beach is flanked by a promenade that stretches all the way to the harbour Like many coastal regions of the UK, the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk offer a plethora of seaside delights perfect for day trips and longer holidays. Southwold presents the picture-perfect British seaside outing for people of all ages and the Camping and Caravanning Club has even rated it as one of Britain's top seaside towns. Southwold's safe, pristine beach makes it a hit for both families and those looking to dip their toes in the sea, earning it Blue Flag status and a Seaside Award in 2024. The town boasts two lovely beaches; Pier beach brims with striking beach huts while Denes beach – more secluded and favoured by windsurfers and canoeists – backs onto dunes and marshland. For added fun, Southwold Pier hosts quintessential seaside amusements, including an arcade bursting with vintage games and Tim Hunkin's "eccentric" Under the Pier Show. Hungry visitors can savour fare at various spots on the pier, be it the fish and chip shop, indulging in lunch or dinner at the Boardwalk restaurant with ocean views, or the Clockhouse for breakfast and homemade cakes, reports Cambridgeshire Live. Pier beach is flanked by a promenade that stretches all the way to the harbour area, with the town centre just a short stroll away for those keen on a spot of shopping. Southwold's high street is brimming with independent shops and boutiques waiting to be discovered, including Pearls by the Sea, a family-run clothing shop that also offers gifts and accessories, and Squires of Southwold, a sweet shop and tea room boasting over 150 different types of sweets. Little Gems, a popular greengrocers, is worth popping into if you're after some fresh fruit for your trip or local products to take back home. The shop was nominated in the regional Muddy Stilettos Awards for best farm shop in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. If you fancy a break from the beach, why not visit Southwold Museum? Housed in a quaint cottage, the museum offers interactive exhibitions and displays featuring fossil remains and information about Southwold's transformation from a fishing community to a seaside resort. Southwold is less than two hours' drive from Cambridge via the A14. There's a car park near the pier that charges £4 for a 10-hour stay, but there are other free parking spaces dotted around the town.
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Daily Record
Stunning seaside town overrun with 'moronic' yobs suffers major blow
One of the UK's most iconic seaside resorts has been hit with a major blow after being stripped of a prestigious title. Weymouth Bay, a stunning three-mile beach, situated in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, is a popular tourist destination, attracting around two million tourist each year. Its historic and pleasant town centre has always been a big hit with visitors, but its pièce de résistance has always been it golden sandy beach. Describing the town, the area's official tourist board Visit Dorset said: "Weymouth's sheltered bay, gradual sloping seabed and exquisite waters offer swimmers, bathers and water sports enthusiasts idyllic and safe conditions to suit every taste. "The internationally recognised beach is a frequent host to festivals, sporting championships and a wide range of events for all to enjoy." However, after the Environment Agency downgraded the Weymouth's water quality from 'excellent' to 'good' in 2024, the area lost its Blue Flag status, according to the Mirror. Earlier this year, Matt Bell, chair of Weymouth Town Council's Environment and Services Committee, described the review as 'disappointing'. The council is reportedly working with agencies to tackle its dip in water quality to 'improve the situation'. Despite being robbed of the accolade, Weymouth Beach was given a Seaside Award - which aims to recognise 'quality and diversity' and focuses more on well-managed, clean beaches as opposed to factors like water quality. "We are delighted to be awarded the prestigious Seaside Award for another year. Weymouth Beach is such a fantastic resource for our residents," Weymouth Town Council's Town Clerk Jane Biscombe said, according to the BBC. However, losing its Blue Flag gong isn't the only problem plaguing the region. As previously reported, swathes of business owners and residents claim their home is being ruined by 'moronic' anti-social behaviour, and the constant stink of drugs. "It's definitely got worse," argues Lee Waugh, 57, a military veteran who has lived in Weymouth since his teenage years. "The levels of the problems seem to be higher. For example, we need tables out the front to showcase our clothes and bring people into the shop, but opportunists steal them. It's a catch 22. It's a problem in town – groups can cause mayhem." Lee also spoke of the issue of smell, saying that the drugs in the area are now extremely obvious and off-putting due to the infamous smell once lit. "There's a lot of weed – you can smell it," he added. "People don't even hide it through town, they're walking up and down the street with it." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Janet and David Dye, 67 and 71, are from Basildon, Essex, but frequently visit their son who lives in the town. They too have noticed a decline in the town's reputation, and argue weed is the 'main problem'. "If you are drinking a bottle of beer in the street, the police should stop you and tell you to tip it out – that's supposed to be the law," David said. "But a lot of the time they won't, until someone complains that they're drunk." The Mirror contacted Dorset Police back in April this year to ask what was being done to tackle anti-social behaviour in Weymouth. It pointed to its Safer Street Partnership, an initiative backed by several organisations including Dorset Council Community Safety Team, which tries to not only identify those causing disruption on the streets, but to help rehabilitate them. "Over the last five years reported anti-social behaviour in the town centre has reduced by over 40 per cent," stated Sam Goom, Inspector for Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Policing Team. "The Safer Street Partnership is an integral part of that success. "Our collaborative effort to tackle street-based ASB has made a huge difference – our partners work extremely hard to find long-term solutions. They are a great bunch, and I am thankful for their continued commitment. There is always more to do but definite progress is being made."
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Three Ceredigion beaches to fly Blue Flags this year
Three Ceredigion beaches will fly Blue Flags in 2025. Borth, Llangrannog, and Tresaith have been recognised for their 'excellent' water quality, facilities, and safety provisions. In addition to the Blue Flags, six other beaches have been given Seaside Awards, and four have received the rural Green Coast Award. The Seaside Award is given to beaches that meet recognised water quality standards and have adequate public facilities, safety provisions, and management. Councillor Clive Davies, Ceredigion County Council's cabinet member for the economy and regeneration, said: "I am delighted to see that Blue, Green, and Seaside Award flags/plaques will be erected at Ceredigion's most popular bathing beaches in 2025, and we are fully expecting to see many visitors and locals alike enjoying themselves on beaches along the Ceredigion coast this summer." He also expressed his gratitude to the individuals, groups, organisations, and businesses that have volunteered their time to support the Caru Ceredigion initiative. This includes regular litter picks and the promotion of environmental conservation, wildlife education, and beach/water safety activities. Mr Davies said: "Without this long-standing support, we would not be able to put forward so many of our beaches and successfully obtain these prestigious coastal awards, which places Ceredigion beaches amongst the very best of coastal destinations in Wales and the UK whilst acting as a key driver for the Ceredigion economy." The beaches that have achieved prestigious coastal awards in 2025 are: Blue Flag (Overall excellent water quality standard): Borth, Llangrannog, and Tresaith. Seaside Award (Overall good or sufficient water quality standard): Clarach, Aberystwyth North, Aberystwyth South, New Quay Harbour, New Quay Dolau/North, and Aberporth. Green Coast Award (Overall excellent water quality standard): Llanrhystud, Cilborth-Llangrannog, Penbryn, and Mwnt. Beachgoers are advised to swim at a lifeguarded beach between the red and yellow flags, which denote the designated swimming areas patrolled by RNLI Lifeguards at Borth, Clarach, Aberystwyth North, Aberystwyth South, New Quay Harbour, Llangrannog, Tresaith, and Aberporth beaches.
