29/05/2023
Nine of Cornwall’s stunning beaches have been awarded the coveted ‘Blue Flag’ status for 2023, with eight managed by Cornwall Council and the authority’s delivery partner, Cormac.
Our local beach raised its Blue Flag and Seaside Award Flag at the weekend which was attended by the local community and hosted by the surf lifesaving club and Blue Bar.
The Blue Flag is the worlds most recognised award for beaches and marinas with each applicant having to meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.
The eight beaches which were awarded and managed by Cornwall Council for 2023 are:
• Porthtowan
• Crooklets, Bude
• Gyllyngvase, Falmouth
• Porthmeor, St Ives
• Polzeath
• Summerleaze, Bude
• Porthmissen, Trevone Bay
• Widemouth Bay
In addition to the Blue Flag awards, the following beaches have received Seaside Awards:
• Porthtowan
• Crackington Haven
• Gyllyngvase, Falmouth
• Great Western, Newquay
• Polzeath
• Porth
• Porthmeor, St Ives
• Porthminster, St Ives
• Portreath
• Sennan Cove
• Porthmissen, Trevone Bay
• Widemouth Bay
• Crooklets, Bude
• Summerleaze, Bude
Both the Blue Flag and Seaside Awards schemes are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches.
Blue Flag is an international award managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education. It is only presented to well-managed beaches with water quality defined as ‘excellent’ under the EU Bathing Water Directive and that offer environmental education programmes.
The Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline. Keep Britain Tidy say that these schemes are the best way for the public to be assured that beaches are delivering a safe, clean and well-managed space for them to enjoy.
Among the criteria beaches are assessed against are:
• Safety and services, such as first aid, lifeguards where necessary
• Environmental information including displaying details about local eco systems
• Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive and Seaside Award winners must meet the 'sufficient’ standard.
• Environmental management, including litter and waste.
What an utterly fabulous day for our flag raising! Glorious blue skies and our classic turquoise ocean. I just wanted to thank the enormous amount of people in our community who contribute to the Blue Flag Award Day 2023 at Porthtowan Beach.