From rubbish to responsibility: West Norfolk students clean up the coast

​If life’s a beach, then it’s a rubbish-free one, thanks to students from a Lynn school who joined volunteers from the Coastal Debris Campaign and other organisations to take part in a Beach Clean at Old Hunstanton.

“The school’s Environmental Committee advertised and promoted the Beach Clean to all students,” said Agnieszka Munns, who is Environmental Lead at Springwood High School.

“We had students, parents, and siblings taking part, plus myself and other volunteers not associated with the school.”

The event was organised by ocean conservation charity The Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK, and saw 20 kilogrammes of litter collected, including plastic bottles, old beach toys, and plastic bags.

“Our beaches are often polluted, both by rubbish left by visitors, and by flotsam and jetsam brought ashore by tides,” continued Mrs Munns. “Such litter is not only unsightly, but can pose a danger to people and wildlife.

“The Beach Clean not only removed plastic items that do not deteriorate, but also dog faeces, which could pose a significant health risk to visitors, especially children.”

“I felt that I accomplished something, by helping the environment and taking part in this event,” said one Springwood student who participated in the Beach Clean; while another agreed: “It is good to be helpful. It does not matter how long you commit yourself, but you can make even a significant  difference by applying small effort.”

A third said: “It was great to see many people volunteering their help and making a stand for the environment.”

It was the first time that Springwood, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, had taken part in the event.

“Clean beaches are an important indicator of a seaside resort’s attitude towards its environment,” added Mrs Munns. “They provide a major criteria for judging whether or not a beach should be awarded a Blue Flag Award, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education – an internationally recognised award.

“This year, Heacham Beach was even recognised as a ‘Brown Flag’ beach for being particularly dirty. The Beach Clean is therefore especially important here, as is any effort to raise public awareness concerning this important issue.

“Highlighting the benefits of keeping a harmonious and balanced relationship with our sometimes fragile surroundings is a vital lesson to try and impart to schoolchildren, nearly all of whom will be visiting beaches for many years to come.”