The Newgale Beach Wombles have been running beach cleans at Newgale, one of Pembrokeshire’s most popular beaches, since 2015. For the last 7 years, the group has been led by the amazing ‘Nimi’ supported by Paul & Tim. Sadly, towards the end of 2021 Nimi announced that she was having to step down from leading things due to other priorities. With no-one else stepping forwards, the future looked bleak.

However, not wanting to see the great work of the Wombles come to an end, EcoDewi offered to help out, alongside its other work to protect the marine environment along the St Davids Peninsula coastline. So, in December 2021 the Newgale Beach Wombles formally became part of EcoDewi.

EcoDewi is really excited to be helping to look after another beach area, helping to reduce litter and protect the marine environment locally. And, of course it’s great to work with an amazing existing group of passionate beach cleaners! We really hope that in due course some Newgale locals feel keen to help lead the group or at least help out with organising events.

Dates for future beach cleans will be announced on the Newgale Beach Wombles and the EcoDewi Facebook pages. Help spreading the word would be really appreciated. To contact EcoDewi about beach cleans, please email Katy at beachcleans@ecodewi.org.uk

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It was great to be back doing beach cleans in the Peninsula and even better that the sun was shining on the morning of Saturday 22nd May, after two days of storm weather! We had 8 volunteers for our first clean after a long break due to COVID restrictions, and our youngest cleaner was 4 years old. The team met at Treginnis Uchaf Farm for a safety briefing and issuing of kit, before heading down to Porthlysgi Bay.

A total of 8 big bags of rubbish was collected and we had a go at recording the type of rubbish to help the Marine Conservation Society with their work on preventing it getting in the sea in the first place! Huge thanks to Katy Fox for leading the event and for Ian Meopham of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for arranging disposal of the rubbish.

More dates will be published soon and we aim to run at least one clean every 6 weeks.

On Saturday 12th December, a small group gathered together but whilst adhering to social distancing, to complete a beach clean in Solva harbour and headland. This came after a request from a Solva resident to help tidy up this beautiful coastal area.

It was a gorgeous day and actually there wasn’t too much litter. With recent storms it seems that much of the rubbish that had been present may have been dispersed but 6 bags of rubbish were still collected by the 13 volunteers led by Estelle. And it was great to have some youngsters & families joining us too. A successful day and great to be safely outdoors with volunteers in these strange times.

If you have a suggestion for a beach clean, do please get in touch with us by emailing hello@ecodewi.org.uk

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Saturday 14th November: The weather forecast was miserable, but a forecast rather faithful to Welsh winters; tormented winds and blazing rain. I had no doubt that the volunteers would come, but I was even happier and grateful for their help in these conditions. In the end, we were right not to give up as the sky turned out to be much less dramatic than expected.

The first beach clean-up of the winter season took place on Caerfai bay. From above, the place seems rather clean and spared from all kinds of plastic waste. The reality is unfortunately much more dirtier. The beach, half covered with rocks, is full of hidden plastics.

Paul, from Milford Haven, made his way through the rocks. He picked up plastics and fishing waste while Johannes focused on the micro plastics. Lots of little bits were floating in puddles or under rocks. Next time we should bring a sieve with us. 
Patrick and Amanda, are used to beach cleanings. I shared my bin bag with Patrick while he told me about his previous founds. Clare fished thick ropes, hook, nets lost between the rocks. Katie had to leave a rope stuck between two rocks. Rachael tried to pull on it, but but it was unfortunately stuck. Ben and Hector seem to have had a nice chat. Hector found a small dinosaur figurine! Hector didn’t put it in the bin bag, but slipped it into his pocket. 

We left the bin bags at the top. Thanks to the county council who came to collect them the following day. There is still a lot to collect on Caerfai Bay and everywhere else. Rubbishes come in waves as if the ocean became an unlimited plastic supplier. 

Thanks to all the volunteers!

Estelle