It’s a grand slam for our beaches

Mar 20 2008 by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo

BEACHES in Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan have received a major boost at the start of the holiday season by qualifying to fly the coveted Seaside Award Resort flag.

Barry Island’s main beach at Whitmore Bay, which already has Blue Flag status, is among the 111 beaches in Wales given Seaside Award status for this year.

Other beaches in the Vale and Bridgend areas which will also be flying the blue and yellow Seaside Award flag this year are Jackson’s Bay, Southerndown, Trecco Bay and Rest Bay.

All the beaches have attained the European Union minimum standard of bathing water quality and met a long list of strictly monitored land-based criteria. They have also met strict guidelines on water quality.

The awards are coordinated in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy. Chief executive, Tegryn Jones said: “The achievements of our national rugby team and the fact that 111 of our beaches have attained Seaside Award status demonstrate how team effort can bring success and national joy.

“For many years local authorities, Welsh Water and numerous agencies have worked tirelessly to achieve so many quality beaches and we are now in a position to tell the world that our nation’s beaches have achieved the equivalent of Grand Slam status.”

Barry historian Tom Clemett, 75, who regularly swims at Watch Tower Bay, close to Whitmore Bay, said: “I go to the beach every day with the dogs and it is very good. The water is clean, although at the moment a lot of driftwood is being washed up at Jackson’s Bay.

“It used to be that if you swam in the sea people would make jokes, but it is not like that now.

“It is quite good.”

Barry Island cafe owner Mark Forte said: “We welcome this award, which is another feather in the cap for Barry Island. It is clearly now seen as a family resort where people can come and enjoy a great day out, and swim in the clean sea safely.

“As always, the resort relies on the sunshine to bring visitors here, and we are hoping that the sun will shine on us this season.”

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peter.collins@mediawales.co.uk