justal
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 posted on 25-8-2008 at 08:07 | |
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Litter Bug Kite-surfers
Right time for a rant!
I've just got back from taking a little walk over to the beach to see what the wind was doing. As I walked along the pebble ridge I was
thinking about the amount of rubbish in the dunes when I bumped into a dog walker. After saying hello the first thing the dog-walker
said to me was:
"Have you seen how much mess the kite-surfers have made in the car park - are they actually allowed to camp there?"
As I was already thinking about the rubbish on the beach I took a walk over to the car park to see for myself. There were a few vans
and tents in the car park and the remnants of a night spent around a campfire. A couple of chairs, a stereo and a few other bits and
pieces around a smouldering fire along with a load of empty cans and bottles and various bits of plastic bag and plastic plates blowing
around.
Clearly these could have been left by anyone but with the vans and tents nearby it was likely to be the people sleeping in them.
As I was looking a local walked past who immediately started moaning about the rubbish as well. I don't know the local that well, but
they know that I windsurf and so assumed that I knew the owners of the vans and tents and therefore started ranting at me about the
mess and asked me to tell them to clear it up and sort it out. They also said that they thought people shouldn't be allowed to camp in
the car park.
Now, I'm sure the mess was cleared up as much of it was clearly possessions that would be put back in vans etc, but that isn't really
the point. Some of the rubbish had blown away and probably would never get cleared up, but more to the point is the fact that leaving
the rubbish there in the first place has meant that you've already upset a few people who now associate rubbish on the beach with
kitesurfers.
Everyone knows that being able to camp on the beach here at Borth is a privilege that you don't have in most places. In order to keep
that privilege people camping there should ensure that they don't make any mess whatsoever. Really you should be spending windless
afternoons cleaning the beach and improving it, not contributing to the litter problems.
Everyone I met on the beach this morning was complaining about the mess, and although I'm sure you intend to clear it up, I have to
agree with them. It did look pretty bad, it did look as though it had been left by the 'kitesurfers' camping in the nearby vans and the
people I spoke to were completely justified with their rants.
It only takes one of them to complain to the council for them to start clamping down.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
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Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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shem
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| posted on 25-8-2008 at 09:45 | |
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Should just report the people doing it Al, When I worked for the harbours, I as able to issue asbos and thousand pound fines pretty
much on the spot for littering, through a scheme set up with the local poilce, Im sure the CCw staff probably have the same policy?
Kite & SUP wales
Caravan decking wales
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Spooker
A Force-of-Nature ***  
Member #: 932 Posts 624
Registered: 24-8-2004 Member Is Offline Mood: rattle dem bones
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| posted on 25-8-2008 at 11:28 | |
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The mess Al refers to was left by a group of 6 or so people who arrived in a dark red/maroon T4 sat afternoon. None of them were wind
or kitesurfers. When they left late sat afternoon I assumed they were popping down the pub or the chippy, cos they left 3 chairs, some
items of clothing and a radio - along with a scatter of empty tins and bottles and other rubbish.
Sadly it was all still there this morning. Maybe just maybe they are planning to return and clear up their mess..... but I won't hold
my breath.
All the regular users of the carpark - certainly those of us who use it for watersports - are largely very tidy and never leave
anything behind. Moreover there have been a couple of occasions when a number of us have spent a while collecting rubbish and removing
it. Unfortunately though the casual oberver sees vans overnighting and piles of rubbish - and puts the 2 together.
You know INSTINCTively when you're living on the EDGE...
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shem
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| posted on 25-8-2008 at 12:34 | |
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Alwaya the same, just takes one bad apple to get every one in the shit. best thing to do is confront people about it, I a hve done a
few times over on dyfi side, including people that let there dogs shit on the beach, its always good seeing peoples faces when you make
them pick up a pile of dog shit they where walking away from, LOL
Kite & SUP wales
Caravan decking wales
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Kitefish
A Force-of-Nature * 
Member #: 945 Posts 299
Registered: 31-8-2004 Location: Shrewsbury Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 25-8-2008 at 12:52 | |
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Sitting here in a very hot and sunny windless Turkey we read this post with dismay. Please Al I am sure that you are well aware when
the majority of the Massif are parked up at Borth we do our very best to keep the area tidy and police others that are not so tidy.
The marority of the massif are currently on holiday maybe you could have supported us when talking to the local folks and emphasise the
resposibilty of the majority of the regulars and that we appriciate the privilage (not to say pay handsomely for it too).
See you all at the weekend.
Chris, Cath, Andy and Kath
PS watch out all litter louts as I will set the dog on you.
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shem
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| posted on 25-8-2008 at 13:05 | |
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windless, hehe, its honking here, ( a bit of sun would be nice tho hey)!
Kite & SUP wales
Caravan decking wales
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jack russell
Hot shot 
Member #: 7782 Posts 32
Registered: 29-7-2008 Member Is Offline Mood: yam goooin to tha beach
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| posted on 25-8-2008 at 18:38 | |
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I left the car park at 6.45 tonight and much of the rubbish had been cleared away (stable doors and horses spring to mind) a couple of
carrier bags round my parking spot came home with me but as Al points out, by the time I arrived at 8.30 this morning our cards were
(rightly or wrongly) marked
ride it like you stole it
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justal
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| posted on 26-8-2008 at 07:32 | |
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Unfortunately you are all right. It only takes one bad apple and people do jump to conclusions.
I knew it wouldn't have been any of the regulars, as you say you do your best to leave things as clean if not cleaner than when you
arrived. But, the people who were moaning about the mess were right to do so and as I'm sure those who saw it will agree it did look as
though it had been left by the people camping in the car park.
It is a difficult situation though as you can't be expected to police everyone else in the car park just because you are going to camp
there. And when the litter bugs leave chairs and a stereo etc behind it does look as though they are going to return and clear it up
themselves, so how would you know when to intervene and confront them about leaving the rubbish there?
Not an easy situation. It sounds as though it wasn't kitesurfers or even people camping there who were in the wrong but some
holiday-makers who just upped and left at the end of the day. The people pointing their fingers weren't in the wrong either as they
were just upset (as I'm sure the campers were and I was) to find such a mess on the beach in the morning.
Lets just hope the returned later in the day and found it all cleared up.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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dunk
A Force-of-Nature *** 
Member #: 570 Posts 606
Registered: 2-3-2004 Member Is Offline Mood: Spaced out
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| posted on 26-8-2008 at 08:19 | |
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I have to agree, when I arrived at the beach it looked a total mess.
Spooker is right, there was a dark maroon T4 ( holidaymakers) there on Sunday afternoon having a bbq.
But I have to say, one of Graham's mates was boasting to me Monday am, on how they had kept that fire alight all night by putting a 25
kg bag of coal on it. I then came to the conclusion it was their mess.
I was going to ask Graham, but then saw he and his mates clearing it up. It should of been done before they went to bed if it was
theirs! Maybe Graham you could shed some light on this, was it your group?
In all fairness, Lara and myself have been here since Wednesday and as Lara gets the job of sitting in my van and watching me! She has
been commenting on how a lot of the holidaymakers have just been letting their rubbish blow into the dunes.
Maybe next time we're all waitng for the wind to blow, we should all take a black bin bag and fill it with litter.
At least, when Phil ran the carpark, he was out every morning picking up litter......... Did anyone ever see Daffid do that????????
Bring back Phil!!!!!!!!!!
By the way its howling at the mo!!!!!!!!!!! Off we go again.......... My body hurts!!!!!!!!!!
Dunks
KITE / SAIL REPAIRS
http://www.jonnieeisler.com
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Loxley
A Force-of-Nature ** 
Member #: 1919 Posts 382
Registered: 26-5-2006 Member Is Offline Mood: all I need is everything...
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| posted on 27-8-2008 at 12:42 | |
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Sorry to hear about the mess at Borth.
Haven't been down for a few weeks as the Massif are on summer hols, but I know my van usually ends up as the dustbin run as we put all
the rubbish from the weekend in my garage.
Shame that when we are away some folks will spoil it for the regulars.
Will have to be extra vigilant next time we are down.
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tgcpowell
Beach Bum
Member #: 7540 Posts 15
Registered: 8-5-2008 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 27-8-2008 at 22:25 | |
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Just to add my two pence worth been noticing lots of shit left all over
the place to.i know its not the point and people should be shot for leaving rubbish,but surely whoever gets the cash for the parking
should sort some kind of bins out.pretty sure there used to be.know it wouldn't solve the problem but its gotta help.
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justal
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| posted on 28-8-2008 at 06:58 | |
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Actually in most places bins make the problem of rubbish worse. This is because the bins encourage people to leave their rubbish rather
than take it home with them and unless they are emptied several times a day on busy days they just get too full and then rubbish blows
around and the problem is worse.
It has been tried and tested in loads of places and bins almost always make it worse.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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Spooker
A Force-of-Nature ***
Member #: 932 Posts 624
Registered: 24-8-2004 Member Is Offline Mood: rattle dem bones
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| posted on 28-8-2008 at 12:42 | |
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Davydd the carpark did put some large bins in last year, which got filled up very quickly. Unfortunately he didn't really think it
through, cos he lugged them all down to the local dump and was told as it was commercial waste he'd have to pay to dispose of it. So he
put them all back (full) where they festered for a while before he/someone attempted to burn it all.
All in all not a very satisfactory state of affairs. But as its a private carpark and he has the concession - its up to him, or us, or
no-one to make the effort!
You know INSTINCTively when you're living on the EDGE...
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baileyman
Pro
Member #: 1933 Posts 114
Registered: 1-6-2006 Location: Leamington Spa Member Is Offline Mood: Reflective
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| posted on 28-8-2008 at 19:00 | |
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Al I totally agree with your comments.
I have a big problem with litter and the scruffy b....rds that seem to think they can chuck their crap anywhere they please.
I've been vocal on several occasions with people who seem to think it ok to dump their garbage at the beach. The general response in
most cases is a threat to punch my lights out or to "f..k off - someone will pick it up".
The state of the car park in Borth is applaing. The vast majority of the "priveliged few" that stay on the beach clean up after
themselves.
However, what I have noticed this year is that the car park has been opened up to a bunch of randoms. The last bunch appeared to create
a pile of bags and bottles that I can only assume were left behind when they departed. They pay their money and expect someone else to
clear up after them.
The bottom line to all this is that we now live in a society that has no respect. The problem is likely to get worse and we will be
penalised as a result. We all moan about it but we should act on it.
The only option I see is for all of us on this forum using the carpark is to set an example by not leaving empty cans bottles and other
items outside vans/cars at any time of day or night. Clean up each night and don't give the local folk any reason to complain.
Secondly, and this might be controversial, but we should all make an effort to do some litter clearance at our end of the beach. We all
trundle to the toilets in Borth in the morining, so we should all bring a black bag each and do a bit of litter picking before we go
and throw it in the bins in borth.
If we set such an example then we might be better placed as a group to hassle people who mess up our campsite. If we chose to ignore
the situation then we have to accept the consequences.
We are exteemley priveliged to have a place to stay and we should nurture it.
Sermon over - off to put the bins out - it's collection day tomorrow 
See you all soon
Rich
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jack russell
Hot shot
Member #: 7782 Posts 32
Registered: 29-7-2008 Member Is Offline Mood: yam goooin to tha beach
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| posted on 28-8-2008 at 20:07 | |
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baileyman, I'm a newcomer here and know the luxury you guys have at this location compared to what I have experienced elsewhere. Count
me in, I want to spend the winter riding this beach with the unrestricted access you guys have enjoyed. Whatever it takes........... I
said my piece when I met Al on the beach at the weekend my words on this thread are done
[Edited on 28-8-2008 by jack russell]
ride it like you stole it
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REECEY
Pro 
Member #: 2178 Posts 86
Registered: 26-7-2006 Member Is Offline Mood: CARPE DIEM
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| posted on 28-8-2008 at 20:28 | |
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I have to admit we've noticed a big increase in the amount of litter left lying around in the last few weeks. It's a shame that the
locals can't always see the bigger picture though in that there's very little problem with litter left lying around in the Winter
months when virtually the only people visiting are kiters! We always take all of our rubbish away as most responsible people do but
unfortunately there will always be a minority who don't give a s**t! We love our kiting at Borth and would be very upset and annoyed if
we lost the privilege of camping there, so will do all we can to make sure this doesn't happen.
Paul
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Spooker
A Force-of-Nature ***
Member #: 932 Posts 624
Registered: 24-8-2004 Member Is Offline Mood: rattle dem bones
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| posted on 29-8-2008 at 05:44 | |
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I had the same thoughts as Reecey, if the locals noticed that rubbish is directly proportional to the number of summer visitors they
wouldn't associate it directly with kite flyers. On some occasions out of season our end of the carpark can be even busier than summer
- but no trash!
Its not an answer to the litter problem of course, rightly or wrongly thats solely in our hands.
You know INSTINCTively when you're living on the EDGE...
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justal
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| posted on 29-8-2008 at 05:59 | |
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As Baileyman says, clearing up litter when possible even if it isn't ours has to be a good thing. Its annoying that we should have to
do it but it keeps the beach nice for us all... As well as doing it whenever we get the chance maybe we should organise a proper
'Forces-of-Nature' beach clean up afternoon as well.
I'm not sure how it works if you organise such a thing I'm pretty sure you have to sort it out with the council and get proper bags and
gloves etc but as well as making a difference to the litter it would be good for public relations and help show the locals that the
kite-flyers, windsurfers and others here are as passionate about keeping the beach clean as they are. Anyone would be welcome to join
us but if we make a point that it has been organised by the kitesurfers and windsurfers it has to help.
I can look into the logisitics of it with the council if others will be up for it.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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baileyman
Pro
Member #: 1933 Posts 114
Registered: 1-6-2006 Location: Leamington Spa Member Is Offline Mood: Reflective
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| posted on 29-8-2008 at 09:29 | |
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Al - I'm more than happy to do a clean up afternoon. It would be a good PR excercise and maybe get the local press to come down get
some pics and allow us to make our views known for the record.
Only problem is I'm not going to be back to borth til Mid October. I'm out of the country on business then off to France kiting for 3
weeks. But will happily attend once I'm back home.
Rich
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Spooker
A Force-of-Nature ***
Member #: 932 Posts 624
Registered: 24-8-2004 Member Is Offline Mood: rattle dem bones
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| posted on 29-8-2008 at 11:17 | |
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If you'll do that Al I think everyone who is about should and will lend a hand. If we can get the council to provide the bags and
remove them all the better.
I'm in
You know INSTINCTively when you're living on the EDGE...
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Pixelwave Web Design.
justal@forces-of-nature.co.uk