6th February 2018. Despite a balmy temperature of 2 degrees Celsius with wintry showers off the North Sea, the volunteer members of NCI Caister, conducted a litter sweep of Caister-on-sea beach and dune environs. Conscious of the burgeoning plastic pollution in our seas and coastal margins, the National Coastwatch volunteers thought it a responsible thing to do. Linda Lawrence, Station Manager at NCI Caister said, “Our members wanted to do something for the community together with trying to protect marine animals, fish and seabirds. As well as a lot of discarded plastic material, we also picked up broken glass, corrugated sheeting and even a bread pallet! Great Yarmouth Borough Council were very helpful and provided us with litter bags and picks and agreed to uplift the rubbish afterwards.” After the event, the National Coastwatch watchkeepers warmed-up and enjoyed soup and sausage rolls in their watchroom above the Heritage Centre of the Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service.

The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) is an entirely voluntary organisation which undertakes daylight surveillance of the foreshore and beach to protect beach users and mariners alike. They report daily to HM Coastguard and advise them of potential or real-time incidents such as kayakers or swimmers in difficulty and children on un-tethered inflatables. Volunteers may be 18 to a sprightly 80! Anybody wishing to join, or indeed, make a donation to the charity (1159975) should contact the Station Manager by visiting the Station between 0900 and 1600 hours any day. You will be made most welcome.

 The photograph shows the very cold volunteers with some of the litter they collected.