September 17 2012.


On Sunday the 16th September, 13 Friends of Tide Mills collected 12 sacks of assorted rubbish from Tide Mills. We also undertook the annual, detailed beach litter survey on behalf of the Marine Conservation Society's "Adopt a Beach" initiative, which sees many of the UK's beaches analysed for litter over this weekend.

In general, the amount of litter collected, given we are now seeing casually discarded items as a result of Summer visits to this fantastic site, was not too bad. However, as the photograph shows, we logged over 150 items in just a 100 x 10 metre stretch of the beach itself, an area we are normally unable to spend much effort on. In excess of 150 items along a very short stretch of beach of course is a very serious and sad state of affairs. Those who are responsible should be ashamed of using our beaches and seas as litter depositorys. I have to say most of the items we logged are fishing industry related; trawl net repair remnants being by far the most common item, which has been the case ever since we started our work down at Tide Mills. For those who gain income from the very sea that is being used in this way, we say: 'Shame on you'. A simple receptacle on board would surely solve this discard.

All in all, for the time of year, Tide Mills is largely litter free. We again want to thank all visitors for their help in keeping Tide Mills as it is, by taking home, not just their own litter, but additional items as well. We sincerely thank you all.

Newhaven Port Properties has also very kindly sited a wheelie bin at the end of the East Pier for anglers to use, which is proving very effective in keeping litter down at this end of the site.

Our next meeting is on Sunday the 21st. October - always the third Sunday of the month. We meet for around two hours from 10am. We would be delighted to welcome all to our happy little band. Please e-mail me at brian.skinner2@btinternet.com for more information, or at www.tidemills.webs.com  

Jim Skinner