The Friends of Castle Cove Beach are celebrating the fifth anniversary
of the building of the new steps to the beach with a quirky Weymouth
event – a celebration of seaweed.
“Seaweed is something we take for granted,” says festival organiser Lyndsey
Diment, “but it really is one of nature’s wonders. It can be used in cooking, as
fertiliser, and in beauty products. At Castle Cove we are privileged to have
magical seagrass beds – the only flowering plants able to live in saltwater.
The beds act as a nursery for young fish and seahorses, help to slow climate
change, and filter out pollutants – and they need our protection.”
Want to know more? Come to Castle Cove on Saturday 20th April where the
Friends of Castle Cove Beach celebrate the day with a quirky, fun and
educational event that includes information and activities about seagrass,
seahorses, eco moorings and the varied uses of seaweed . The event will
feature local experts keen to share their enthusiasm and expertise.
There will be a samba band, a bucket and spade drumming workshop, a
choir, games for children and a sand sculpture building competition judged by
Weymouth’s Mr Sandman, Mark Anderson. If you’re lucky you might spot a
mermaid!
“Castle Cove Beach is the perfect place for all ages.” says co-organiser Katie
Janota. “The Seaweed Shenanigans start at noon on Saturday April 20th and
finish at four pm. It’s free and it’s fun. Bring the family!”
Alongside the seaweed festival, the Friends are organising an art competition
for schools in the local area. Students have been asked to submit a picture,
model, collage or any other artwork inspired by seaweed. Entry closes on
22nd March and the artwork will be exhibited in Weymouth Library.
The event and competition are free: they will be funded by a Love Local
raffle. An amazing variety of businesses and restaurants in the area have
donated fabulous prizes, and raffle tickets will be sold at £1 a ticket. Prizes
include local restaurant vouchers, a mermaid swimming lesson, a boat trip to
Durdle Door, stand up paddleboarding, swim vouchers, sourdough workshop,
locally ground coffee, local attraction entry tickets and much more…