Hastings Blue Reef Aquarium is inviting volunteers to join them on a pre-spring beach clean next month.
Staff from the Rock-a-Nore Road wildlife attraction will be hosting their first official beach tidy event of the year from 11am on Saturday, March 25th on the stretch of beach beside the aquarium.
Last year’s beach cleans have proved so popular with the public the aquarium is planning to run them more regularly throughout 2017 with more sessions planned in May, July and September.
All volunteers will be issued with collecting bin bags and gloves – which have been provided free by Hastings Council – and a reporting form to record their finds.
“Last year we saw a welcome increase in the numbers of people wanting to take part in the beach cleans and we’re hoping that trend will continue into 2017,” said Blue Reef’s Leanna Lawson.
“It’s a great way to get out there, meet people, get some exercise and also do something practical which will directly benefit the local environment.
“Hastings Council has once again kindly agreed to provide us with a selection of litter picking tools and now we need some energetic volunteers to help us out.
“The plan is to meet up at the aquarium at 10.30am on the day so everyone can be registered and issued with cleaning items, datasheets and beach clean booklets.
“All the rubbish that we collect will then be brought back to the aquarium where it will be separated out and individually itemized.
“After that we will recycle as much of it as we possibly can while the rest will be disposed of safely” she added.
Anyone under the age of 17 who wants to take part will need to be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers are asked to contact Blue Reef to confirm their attendance prior to the event. They should also wear sensible footwear and warm clothing.
- The Beach Clean event is due to take place on Saturday, March 25th from 11am (meet in aquarium café for 10.30am). Volunteers should contact the aquarium on 01424 718776, via email at hastings@bluereefaquarium.co.uk or by signing up on their Facebook event. Details of future events can also be found on social media and at bluereefaquarium.co.uk/hastings .