Coming up for air


It's been a mad few weeks, hopefully things will return to a bit of normality and we can fly higher than the long list of tasks that still need to be done!


The spring migration of birds has been later this year, although we did spot our first swallow well over a month ago. The herring gulls have been pairing up and making nests, flying past us with beaks full of nesting materials. I only just discovered this week that the herring gulls find new partners every year.

The herring gulls on the bottom right have chosen a car as their nesting site, they haven't yet worked out that it is not the best idea especially as the car goes out on frequent trips!

The reason why I haven't been blogging is that I have been heavily involved in  helping run the second Green Fortnight in Bridport. We had a variety of events during the fortnight including talks, a film, comedy evening , quiz, beach clean, a green day, and visits to the local waste disposal site and sewage treatment plant. Over the fortnight we had 500 people join us at the various events, over 20 shops producing green window displays and we even had a Flash Mob encouraging us to stop using plastic!



 It was so encouraging to hear from local businesses how keen they are to do their bit when it comes to reducing plastic. We learnt that many of them are discontinuing plastic bags/items (although as they have to buy in such bulk it may take sometime to use up existing stock) but were very happy to wrap items in paper if we asked or allow us to use our own containers when purchasing loose fruit,vegetables or meat. I expect that would be similar where you live too. During the Fortnight the first zero waste shop in Dorset opened in Bridport, which will give us another great way to change our habits!



We were a bit concerned with the beach clean, we had around 70 turn up and it didn't look initially as if there was much rubbish on the beach.We did unfortunately find over 2,000 nurdles/biobeads. On the same day there was a fundraising  rally and over 300 motorbikes turned up on the esplanade too.  It was quite a contrast between the two events, both of which we achieving good ends.



 The trip to the sewage plant was smelly but interesting, it was amazing how many  wet wipes are thrown down the toilet causing a big problem as the wipes don't dissolve in water, as demonstrated in the third bottle below.


I was also amazed how many fat balls there were although they were more the size of tennis balls rather that the huge fatberg found in London, which was the size of a double decker bus!

One of the other big projects I am involved in is also taking up lots of our time. The plans for a centre to tell the stories and things to do in the Bay are taking shape. Time seems to be rushing by towards the opening date in late summer.

The weather continues to be very variable and when the sun shines it makes us more determined to make the most of it!











Thanks for continuing to visit me despite my short comings!

Sarah x

Comments

  1. You are busy for such a good cause! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Some of the restaurants here in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A. have stopped using plastic straws for beverages and are changing back to paper straws.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our local brewery has just announced that they are phasing out plastic straws for paper ones too. It is good it is happening in other parts of the world too. Sarah x

      Delete
  3. So nice to see so many people getting involved in the care of our beaches, all around the
    country in fact..it's a great idea..because the government won't do anything, just talk
    about it..that's as far as it goes...!
    AND..Supermarkets are very much to blame to..though their starting to look into the
    matter..no need for all that packaging..two apples on a polystyrene tray, covered in cling
    film..silly..! :(,
    Me! I'm one of the old school, still use glass..bottles, jars etc..No plastic! I could put my
    recycling wheelie bin out twice a year, for what l waste or throw away...!
    This must be sorted, once and for all...for the animals sake, if nothing else!

    Nice to see good old Bridport..have'nt been in years! Part of my working area once.....
    Loved the place..unique..! :).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are an inspiration only needing to put your recycling bin out twice a year. We really need to go back to how things used to be before the supermarkets were full of plastic. You should come over to Bridport sometime it is still unique! Sarah x

      Delete
  4. Well done to you and yours Sarah for giving so much time to such a very worthy cause, and something that affects each and everyone of us. I am noticing that many shopping outlets are slowly taking on board what so many members of the public are clamouring for. Why! oh why! would anyone put wet wipes down the toilet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think some people have just used the toilet as if it was a rubbish bin. I also couldn't believe that so many cotton buds are flushed down there too! Sarah x

      Delete
    2. flush it 'away'
      No bin in their bathroom?
      Unfortunately the wet wipes are often greenwashed as biodegradable. NOT.

      Huge respect for you walking the talk, Sarah!

      Delete
  5. What glorious photos (except the sewage, but they're really interesting, something we don't consider enough!). Well done on Green Fortnight, you've been working hard and it's such a good cause. It sounds like it was an amazing success. It's good to feel a little shift in that direction from quite a few people now. Let's hope it's the start of something big. Hope you have a lovely bank holiday and that there's time for a well-deserved rest. CJ xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good morning sweet Sarah! As always, your slice of England is so charming and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Brava Sarah. Setting a good example down there. What a task. We have to start taking it seriously as Macron said 'There is no planet B'.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It’s good that Bridport is so plastic conscious. We are getting better but still a long way to go, especially the supermarkets. Your story telling project sounds fascinating too. Lovely photos Sarah. Have a slightly more relaxing week. B x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh bravo for helping on the Green fortnight! I am very pleased to hear about the Zero waste shop near you! That is brilliant. Wish we had something like that. I have been looking at getting a milkman to deliver us milk and juice so we don't have to add to the plastic waste- seems a good idea! I am interested to know that about Wet wipes- didn't know that! I am SO glad people are starting to take waste more seriously!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations to all who were involved in your Green Fortnight... What a wonderful community spirit you have. It is very inspiring to see so much being done in one community. I think there are about two generations who have not had any idea of the damage being done through our waste. Community efforts like your will make a difference.
    PS hope Tavi's walks are not being neglected!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is wonderful that you can get so involved in your community!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Well done, it sounds like the Green Fortnight was a great success. I was interested to read about the beach clean and the nurdles you found. They look like they are mostly the bright blue ridged type we also found at Charmouth, is that a fair statement?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I so love visiting your blog - a breathe of sea air for me up here in Yorkshire, 300 miles from my Dorset home!xxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. They are changing things here (in the Pacific Northwest) on what they will now accept in our recycling bins. So sad how much has to go back in the garbage now. Feels so wrong! Love that you are involved in such a worthy (and immediate) cause. Also love seeing more of your town!

    ReplyDelete
  15. You live in a very beautiful part of the country x

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments are the best thing about blogging so please join in and brighten my day!