District beaches receive new excellence awards

District beaches receive new excellence awards

FOUR local beaches have received awards in recognition of the excellence of their bathing waters.

Murlough Bay, Tyrella, Rossglass and Minerstown are among a group of six Co. Down beaches to secure prestigious Green Coast Awards, a beach award programme run by TIDY Northern Ireland as part of the Clean Coast Programme sponsored by Coca-Cola.

The Green Coast awards aim to improve and promote the local environment through water quality, safety, litter and waste and information and education on the beach.

Patricia Magee, TIDY Northern Ireland’s national coastal officer, said the award runs parallel with the coast care community programme and allows local people to manage their local environment and take pride in what they have on their doorsteps.

She said even with some of the most beautiful coastline in the world sometimes the potential of Northern Ireland’s beaches goes unfulfilled.

It’s now hoped that the efforts made by the recipients of this year’s awards should act as an inspiration to others.

The announcement of the Green Coast Award winners coincided with the start of the annual Coca-Cola Clean Coast Week which runs until this Sunday, July 29.

TIDY Northern Ireland are also running the Clean Coast Sand Sculpture/Sand Castle competition and want enthusiasts to create their very own sand sculpture or sand castle on any beach in Northern Ireland and submit a photograph of their work to the organisation’s Facebook page no later than 5pm on Saturday, September 1.

Photographs which receive the most “likes” will win one of a number of prizes including goodie bags, a family pass for the Exploris Aquarium and vouchers for Mobile Team Adventure for people to enjoy the great outdoors.