Britain's Dirty Beaches

[adesmith]

Did anyone see Panorama when it was about 'Britain's Dirty Beaches'? My father-in-law saw it and said that a lot of it was about Godrevy. I actually thought to myself he must be mistaken or its really not that bad but I have just watched it on i-player and it is very disturbing. They filmed near the Red River which of course runs out on to the beach and apparently so called sewage spills are happening much more often than South West Water admit (in fact they dont admit anything and dont tell anyone when sewage has poured into the sea at Godrevy, unless you ask). What they found floating was disgusting but the real danger is the bacteria that you cant see. They featured several other beaches around the country but it has made me feel quite upset to think of the beautiful Cornish beaches being polluted. I know that most of the time we come on here and talk about the beauty of the wonderful Cornish coastline but I think we need to be aware of this. I wonder if there are any campaigns or protests to get it sorted? I imagine that this story was in the local newspapers and radio when the program was aired so I am sorry if I am repeating information. It just makes me a bit cross ...

[Kath Mulligan]

I didn't see the Panorama programme, but that is another reason why I don't like swimming in the sea! I wouldn't have thought Godrevy had such a problem, it looked very clear and clean when we were there in June.

Kath

[gloria townsin]

The sea and rock pools looked beautifully clear today at Church Cove, Gunwalloe.
It's pretty disgusting in these times that water that is open for public use is insanitary.

We had a look round the church and found two graves in the churchyard for two 12 year old boys killed on fishing beach Gunwalloe by a mine during the war. One boy was evidently a local lad as later his parents were buried with him, but the other boy had been evacuated from London, sadly his parents were also killed in the Blitz. Their graves are side by side as they were friends in life.....on a day when there were so many children enjoying this bit of Cornwall I could imagine them setting off down the lane, possibly past ancient Winnianton Farm, onto the beach, perhaps they knew they shouldn't be there but were being daring - who knows, but sadly it cost them their young lives. The young London lad has a fairly recent headstone I'm wondering who provided it, maybe the church leaflet will provide an answer.

[jane jackson]

How fascinating headstones of graves can be as well as sad. It is interesting to find out the stories of the folk who've died.

In Exford churchyard (Exmoor) there is a headstone with a poem to a local farmer who lived on the moor and walked down to Porlock to see a Solicitor about the tenancy of the farm changing from his father to him. He visited friends and although they offered to put him up for the night as it had started to snow heavily, he didn't want his family to worry so set out on his journey. He was found eventually in a field very near to home ~ his heavy coat was found further away as though he'd removed it as perhaps it was hampering him through the deep snow. It just seems very poingnant that such a journey today would be so easy in a 4X4 and with a mobile phone and the farm he lived at is where Ranulph Feinnes lives today and plans his adventures to far off inhospitable places.

I didn't see the Panorama programme but heard something and thought I'd heard Gwithian mentioned but it must have been Godrevey, if you've watched the programme Gloria. So far we haven't seen anything untoward on the beaches near the pipes but do hope it gets sorted as very unpleasant as well as dangerous.

[Annette]

Thats an interesting story. I must admit I am a bit of a headstone reader. Its quite tantalising when you have a glimpse into the life of an unknown deceased person.

[Kath Mulligan]

This is going to stray a very long way from the dirty beaches topic, but this talk of interesting headstones etc reminded me of a beautiful memorial stone up here in Derbyshire by the side of Derwent reservoir, quite near to the Dambusters Museum. The following link tells the story of an old Derbyshire shepherd and his dog, Tip who set out onto the moors in December 1953 and disappeared. Despite an intensive search no trace was found of them until March 1954 when water board workers found Joe Tagg's body with Tip, amazingly still just alive, keeping vigil at his side. It's a lovely story and the memorial stone seems to have a great impact on children who visit the site. It always moves me whenever I see it.
http://bygonederbyshire.co.uk/articles/1950s:_Tip_really_was_man%E2%80%99s_best_friend

Kath

[jane jackson]

That's a lovely story Kath and all the more so for being true. I liked the link to Greyfriars Bobby too.

We may have strayed far from dirty beaches but how much more pleasant.