More than 50 local people braved the cold and rain showers last Sunday afternoon to take part in Watchet’s Winter Beach Clean and Litter Pick. Armed with litter pickers and sacks, some of the group worked their way across West Street Beach looking for plastic and other items washed up by the tide, whilst others headed for Splash Point, the Memorial Ground and around the town.

After an hour the group gathered back at The Sanctuary, on Swain Street, to sort out what had been collected. Plenty of plastic and glass bottles, cans, wrappers, cartons and a host of miscellaneous items were sorted for recycling.

The event was organised by local campaign group Plastic Free Watchet and amongst the enthusiastic volunteers of all ages were members of 1st Watchet Sea Scouts and 1st Watchet Guides, supported by family members and leaders.

Watchet Sea Scouts at Splash Point
Watchet Sea Scouts at Splash Point (Plastic Free Watchet)

All those taking part were rewarded with hot drinks and cakes provided by Watchet Baptist Church and the prize of a reusable water bottle was awarded to the most interesting find – a plastic frog – which was taken home by another volunteer to sit next to their garden pond!

Sea Scout Leader Jon Plumbley said: “We hope this community action is going to be ongoing. It was great to see so many scouts and their families care and want to look after the environment as well as having fun and enjoying what they were doing.”

Some of the Rubbish collected
Some of the Rubbish collected (Plastic Free Watchet)

Andy Levett, Co-Community Lead for Plastic Free Watchet added, “What a great turnout! Huge thanks to everyone who braved the weather to play their part.”

Plastic Free Watchet is part of Plastic Free West Somerset (which also includes Plastic Free Minehead, Plastic Free Exmoor and Plastic Free Porlock Vale), all of which are accredited as Plastic Free Communities, a national initiative of campaign group Surfers Against Sewage.

Plastic Free Watchet was recently awarded Plastic Free Community status by Surfers Against Sewage for the second year running.

Over 20 local business and community organisations including the Scouts and Guides have now joined the campaign pledging to remove and reduce items of single-use plastic from use. For more information visit plasticfree.org.uk/watchet

Read more about Surfers Against Sewage’s Plastic Free Community Manifesto and latest campaigns here.