An Island-wide coastal beach clean, sponsored by Red Funnel, is to be an integral part of this year’s annual Isle of Wight Day celebrations over the weekend of 22nd-23rd September.
The Isle of Wight has 67 miles of coastline and whilst its beaches are amongst the cleanest along the south coast, plastic and other man-made debris continually gets washed ashore to the detriment of wildlife and the marine environment. The objective of the Island-wide beach clean is to encourage communities and visitors to help remove as much plastic and litter as possible over one weekend and enjoy some fresh sea air in the process.
2018’s celebrations were officially launched by Robin Courage and the Island’s Lord-Lieutenant Major General Martin White CB CBE JP in Ryde this morning (Monday) with representatives from supporting businesses and sponsors in attendance. Once again Hovertravel, Wightlink and Red Funnel will be sponsoring the overall celebrations and bunting will be made available across the Island.
This morning’s launch saw the introduction of Nipper the Crab, who will be travelling across the Island and the South Coast to promote the big clean and other Isle of Wight Day celebrations which include;
• IOW Day Parade
This year’s big parade will be held in Cowes, starting its journey through the town at 13:30 and will finish in the beautiful grounds of Northwood House
• It’s a Knockout Parade After-Party
A huge party and fun for all the family, with a big It’s a Knockout game, food and drink stalls, staging with live bands. All culminating in a massive fireworks display at 21:00
• Dish of the Isle of Wight Day
Showcasing local cookery talent and produce and promoting Island eateries.
• Songs of Praise
Held at Cowes Enterprise Cowes and in its third year. Sunday 23rd September starting at 16:30 with the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra and presented by Alan Titchmarsh
• Island’s Got Talent
To showcase talent both on and off the Island. Welcoming all Islanders to attend this really fun contest to find the Island’s most talented entertainers.
• Bembridge Harbour Food Festival
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd September at Bembridge Sailing Club. Entry £2.50, kids go free (free entry after 15:30 on Saturday/13:00 on Sunday).
Children from Portsmouth Junior Grammar School were lucky enough to meet Nipper this morning and posed for a photograph with him at Ryde Harbour.
Kevin George, Red Funnel’s Chairman and CEO said:
“Isle of Wight Day is a great opportunity for local communities and visitors to rally around a single cause which was highlighted so vividly in the Blue Planet series. This is likely to be the biggest beach clean the Island has ever seen, helping both the marine ecology and the overall appeal of some of the most beautiful coastline in the south.”
Robin Courage, Chairman of Isle of Wight Day said:
“Once again, Isle of Wight Day is the day for the whole community to come together to tell the world about this stunning place. So this year we are encouraging everyone to join in the country’s largest ever beach and coastal clean-up over the weekend of September 22nd and 23rd. Let’s celebrate our 67 miles of beautiful beaches and coastal paths by ridding them of the unwanted waste that the seas have dumped there.”
