Stay away, begs lifeboats chief
David Pilditch
THE head of the RNLI has issued an impassioned plea for day-trippers to stay away from beaches and beauty spots this bank holiday weekend.
Mark Dowie, chief executive of the charity, yesterday warned lives could be put at risk as families clamour to escape the restrictions of lockdown.
He said: “These are extraordinary times and we understand that after weeks of strict lockdown people are desperate to get out and enjoy some time on our wonderful coastline.
“As a lifesaving charity we cannot stop people heading to the beach. But please be aware any visit to the coast comes with risk, especially at a time when there are currently no RNLI lifeguards on any UK beaches.”
Last weekend coastguard rescue teams were called out to 194 incidents, including inflatables drifting offshore and bathers cut off by the tide.
Crews also dealt with crashed jet skis and paddle boarders, kayakers, windsurfers and kite surfers who had got into difficulties.
The warning comes as tourist bodies and residents of coastal towns are fearing an influx of families seizing the chance to make the most of the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Fears have grown over social distancing as crowds flock to coastal resorts, even though many vital facilities remain closed as the country enjoyed the hottest temperature of the year this week.
Visitors to Brighton will find stewards stationed around the beach to encourage physical distancing and direct people to less busy parts of the seafront if it becomes too busy.
Councillor Carmen Appich, from Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “We urge anyone thinking of travelling to the city at this time to consider very carefully how their journey will impact on others and what sort of experience they will have when they arrive, without access to the usual high standards of hospitality.”
A DOG-walker has slammed “millennial mentality” after 100 people partied at a beauty spot during lockdown – then left piles of rubbish behind.
James Bunting, 41, collected the trash, which included burnt-out barbecues, food wrappers and empty cans at Stoney Bank Quarry near Darwen, Lancs.
Then he put on a wetsuit and went into the lake to pick up the detritus left in there.
James, a dad of two from
Sophie Norris
Bolton, said: “It’s the mentality of the youth of ‘we don’t care’.
“It’s the millennial [attitude of] ‘I’ll do what I want and what are you going to do about it?’
“There’s obviously been a gap in education about taking something out with you and taking [litter] home.
“It’s frustrating. It’s abuse.” The public sector worker, who usually walks his labrador in the area, said the party took place on Thursday – the hottest day of the year. He collected the litter yesterday because he was concerned it may harm the wildlife. He said: “There are so many deer up there. There’s buzzards, owls.”
Lancashire Police said they received a report of a large gathering at 6.30pm on Thursday and an officer moved them on. A spokesman said: “We would advise people to follow Government guidance and practise social distancing.”