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OSPAR monitoring beach clean & survey Bovisand, Plymouth

Jules Agate

Join this beach clean to help us stop harmful litter from reaching the ocean and collect vital data that we can use to bring about positive change for our seas.

  • Beach stretch:

    Fort Bovisand Beach

  • Date and time:

    7 Jul 2022, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Meeting point:

    Meet at Cliff Edge Cafe PL9 0AD on the cliff top - look out for the MCS flag. We will hand out kit and then assist people to descend to the beach, either by steps or the path. It is quite a steep walk down to the beach (about 5 minutes) so please bear this in mind if you have any mobility issues or are bringing prams/buggies etc. There is a steep path with steps, and a gentler one down from this side. Parking – There is car park charge you can pay by cash or Ringo – charges shown here https://www.myringgo.co.uk/parkinglocator/16093 1 Hour £1.20, 2 Hours £2.40, 3 Hours £3.60 Toilets - By the cafe / car park at the top of the beach. No dogs between 1st May and 30th September.

  • Capacity:

    30 volunteers - 27 spaces left

  • School friendly?

    No

A map showing the Fort Bovisand Beach beach stretch plotted on it

We will carry out a clean up and survey of the whole beach (which is 100m long) In this survey we collect and record ALL litter we find. It is not just a beach clean! This data helps us to know what litter items are becoming a problem and try to find solutions to reduce their impact.

Do keep an eye on the weather and dress accordingly e.g. bring waterproofs, warm clothes, hats, suncream for whatever the summer is doing that day. Please wear sturdy shoes with grips, not flip flops or sandals. A stream runs down through the beach so wellies or waterproof shoes are helpful, even though we won’t be going paddling IN the sea! Bring a pencil and a drink in your own water bottle (re-usable) so we aren't creating more litter. An evening snack might be a good idea!

RE covid 19: Please do not attend if you, or any member of your household, have symptoms of the coronavirus or are waiting for the results of a test. Please bring a face mask with you if you can wear one, in case of first aid need. Do wash/sanitise hands frequently, Respect that others may have different attitudes to the current virus risk levels.

Volunteers should bring along their own gardening-type gloves, wear them at all times, and use litter pickers we provide. Extra gloves may be available, but are to be only used if no others have been brought and at own risk of user, as we are unable to guarantee they are 100% virus  free. Suitable, thick gloves are available from Wilko/£1 shops at little cost.

Any litter picking equipment (excluding gloves) given out will be cleaned before and after use with a household disinfectant. Sanitiser will be available, but bring your own if you have sensitive skin or allergies. Please come on time  for an important pre-clean safety briefing. All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

All are directed to please read our virus guidance for beach cleans pre-event https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/join-a-beach-clean/volunteer-safety-and-covid19/

If you have any questions or cannot read these, please contact [email protected].

I look forward to seeing you on the beach.

Also worth knowing…

What to bring: We’d recommend you pack a rucksack with a few essentials like sunscreen, waterproofs, hand sanitiser, and perhaps some snacks and a drink (in a reusable bottle, of course).

What to wear: If you're picking up litter with your hands it's worth wearing a strong pair of gloves - like gardening gloves - just to make sure you're protected. Sturdy shoes are a must for protection too.

Under 16s: To comply with our insurance, volunteers under 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult who will be asked to sign a parental / guardian consent form on the day by the beach clean organiser.