Despite being cancelled in 2020 due to Covid, the Great Dorset Beach Clean is back and will take place across 22 local beaches including Swanage and Studland.
The annual litter picking event, which is now in its 31st year, is organised by Litter Free Coast and Sea, in partnership with Clean Jurassic Coast.
It will take place over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd May 2021, just before the school half term holidays to ensure that beachgoers are greeted with a pristine Dorset coastline.
Everyone is encouraged to get involved
Beach clean at Swanage’s North Beach
The Durlston Country Park rangers, Paul and Ben will be hosting the beach clean at Swanage’s North Beach on Saturday 22nd May 2021, with support from Swanage Beach Buddies.
The organisers say that by ensuring our beaches are litter free prior to the May half term holidays, they hope that both residents and visitors alike will be encouraged to respect and protect Dorset’s coastline this summer and collect up and responsibly dispose of any litter they may produce during their coastal visits.
Dorset beaches taking part, stretch from Lyme Regis in the west, all the way along to Christchurch in the east.
Swanage beach clean pre-Covid in 2019
Places will be limited
As a result of the pandemic this year, places will be limited for each beach clean, so anyone wishing to join in must book in advance to guarantee a place.
Although last year’s event was unable to go ahead, in 2019 the event saw over 700 volunteers work together to clear 214 bags of rubbish from Dorset’s most beautiful beaches.
Fishing lines and various items of marine litter
Litter collected in 2019 included single-use items such as plastic bottles and aluminium cans, polystyrene pieces, bottle caps and lids, cotton bud sticks, plastic bags, fishing lines and various items of marine litter that had been washed up onto the shoreline.
Matilda Manley, Litter Free Coast and Sea project coordinator, said
“We are excited to be running the Great Dorset Beach Clean again this year. It is obviously going to be a bit different and a little scaled back.
“However, we know that all the volunteers who help to lead the events and those who sign up to join in will make a big difference to our beautiful coastline. Look forward to seeing you on the beaches!”
“Getting the message across”
Roy Beal, founder of Clean Jurassic Coast, added
“There is strength in numbers. Only by working together can we keep our fabulous beaches clean and the more awareness we can raise as a volunteer collaborative network, the better chance we have of getting the message across to try to prevent littering in the first place.”
Book a place
To book a place and join in this community event go to the Litter Free Coast and Sea website
