Charity and TV star host free beach fun day

Living Coasts is offering local people a free weekend of fun and games beside the seaside.

The coastal conservation charity is holding a marine BioBlitz and beach clean at Beacon Cove, with TV presenter Maya Plass and lots of additional activities to keep everyone entertained.

Clare Rugg, from Living Coasts, explained: “We will have divers in the water cleaning the seabed, because out of sight shouldn’t be out of mind. That is a first for us. Everyone else can help clean the beach, find coastal species and have fun. We’ll be doing rock pool rambles, seaweed pressing, shell hunts, mask-making, puppet shows and bird watching!”

TV presenter, author and marine biologist Maya Plass, who has featured on ITV and BBC, including in the Springwatch and Autumnwatch programmes, will be on hand on Saturday, while Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust staff will be present on Sunday. The free event takes place on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September from 10.00am to 2:00pm each day.

The divers – including some from Totnes BSAC – will have to be in the water at 8.30am due to the tide times. They will identify species and pick up litter from the seabed. Clare: “Help us to keep our shores clean and discover the marine creatures that live right under our noses. This is an exciting chance to help us record as many species as possible, meet Living Coasts staff and local experts whilst doing your bit for our local shore.

“Beacon Cove, the beach on Living Coasts’ doorstep, suffers with litter brought in by the waves and left by beach users. Just off shore is a bed of sea grass which is home to many sea creatures. Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care for it. We want to care for our bit of the English Riviera!”

For more information go to www.livingcoasts.org.uk or ring 0844 474 3366.