Rotary Supports Rushen Primary School adopting Port Erin Beach

The idea is believed to be another world-first for the Isle of Man and Beach Buddies.

The school’s students will take part in regular beach cleaning sessions in Port Erin a minimum of once a month, supervised by Rushen’s teachers and officials from Beach Buddies who provide all the equipment. Port Erin Commissioners will remove the items collected afterwards, recycling where possible.

“The adoption of our beaches by schools is an idea we have been working on for more than a year,” said Beach Buddies’ founder Bill Dale.

“And I’m really pleased that it’s Rushen Primary School which is the first to officially adopt a beach, because they were the first school to invite Beach Buddies to give a presentation at assembly, and the very first school - three years ago - to join us on a beach cleaning session. In particular, I would like to thank one of the teachers - Jo Shaw - who has been the driving force behind this project. She has organised a large number of beach cleaning events for the school, with every child taking part in at least one session per school year.”

The idea has now spread across all the Island’s schools, and Beach Buddies hosts events regularly with schools, with a number of new adoption projects underway, not just for beaches, but also school grounds and local community areas, such as footpaths, glens and parks.

k Watterson, Chairman of Port Erin Commissioners said, “We are delighted that Rushen Primary School has adopted the beach in Port Erin and we are very much looking forward to work closely with the students and their families to look after what is arguably the best beach on the Island. It’s fantastic that our local school is leading the way and raising awareness of our need to protect the environment.”

Laurence Skelly, MHK for Rushen, added, “On behalf of Juan Watterson, SHK and I may we congratulate Rushen Primary School and Port Erin Commissioners in this excellent initiative and showing genuine pride in our community.”

Peter Winstanley, of Rushen Rotary, said, “The Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann is pleased to team up with Port Erin Commissioners, Beach Buddies and Rushen Primary School to actively assist with cleaning up areas of the village and the beach.  It is great to witness the community coming together to improve the appearance and cleanliness of the village”.   

Jo Shaw, from Rushen. Primary School, said, “The children and staff of Rushen Primary are proud to be supporting ‘Beach Buddies’. Initially suggested by the children via our School Council, this rewarding venture has since involved pupils across every year group. The staff and pupils value the beach as an important learning resource and have taken pride in supporting the local community. The children have come to appreciate the role which they can play in caring for their local environment and look forward to continuing to support such projects.”

Suzanne Owens, head teacher, said, “Rushen Primary School has signed the Biosphere Pledge, where we have pledged to protect the Islands’ natural resources, make our environmental impact positive, engage with the local community and promote our outstanding living landscape and seascape through active involvement with UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man.”

Any school, organisation, family or individual, who would like assistance to adopt a special area such as a beach, footpath, park, glen, plantation or their own streets, should contact FIM Capital Beach Buddies who will supply free equipment and give expert advice on hosting events. Email:  beachbuddiesisleofman@gmail.com. Phone 496560. www.beachbuddies.net