Tag: Wardie Bay

Wardie Bay becomes Scotland’s newest bathing water

  • Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and JustTransition Màiri McAllan, designates Wardie Bay as a Scottish bathing water. 
  • Designation brings the total number of Bathing Waters in Scotland to 89. 
  • Samples will be taken by SEPA to monitor water quality and the bathing water will receive an official classification for the 2024 season. 
  • Locals and visitors encouraged to play their part in protecting and improving the quality of the new bathing water. 

Wardie Bay in Edinburgh has become Scotland’s newest bathing water, following a decision by Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan to designate it for the 2023 season. 

This decision, along with Fisherrow Sands in East Lothian becoming the first bathing water to be re-designated, is a real boost for the shore along the south of the Forth – and brings the total number of Scottish bathing waters to 89. 

The Scottish bathing water season begins on 1st June and runs until 15th September, with 1,500 water samples taken by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) staff at bathing waters around the country. These are analysed in its accredited laboratories, and the results posted online. Once the season is finished each bathing water will receive an official classification for 2024. 

Application for designation 

The application for bathing water status was submitted by Wardie Bay Beachwatch and The Wild Ones who demonstrated that a large number of bathers use the water and there was community support for designation. The city council supported the designation, accepting required duties around signage and beach cleaning. 

Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition said: “As a result of our investment in protecting and improving bathing waters across Scotland we now have the highest number of designated Bathing Water sites ever, with 98% passing bathing water quality standards and more rated as ‘excellent’ than ever before. 

“However, we are not complacent. We continue to work closely with SEPA and Scottish Water to monitor and improve water quality on our designated beaches and in our designated lochs, to ensure that as many people as possible are able to enjoy them throughout this summer and beyond.”  

Ruth Stidson, SEPA’s Principal Scientist for bathing waters, said: “It’s great news, especially for the local community, that Wardie Bay has been designated for the 2023 season by the Cabinet Secretary – and with Fisherrow re-designated, Scotland now has 89 bathing waters, more than any previous year.  

“Designation of waters large numbers of people use for bathing over the summer months means they can be monitored, protected and, if necessary, improved. 

“We’ve seen huge improvements in water quality at bathing waters over the years, and SEPA will continue this journey – through targeted regulation and working with others to achieve significant investment. This way we’ll ensure that visitors to our bathing waters, especially the thousands that live within a short walk or bike ride of our urban bathing waters, can continue to enjoy Scotland’s stunning blue spaces.”  

Win for Wardie Bay 

During 2022, SEPA sampled and reported water quality at Wardie Bay due to high community usage of the beach and an active application for bathing water designation. 

Our evidence indicates that Wardie Bay is expected to meet bathing water standards. Now designated by the Cabinet Secretary, the beach will be formally monitored and receive an official classification for 2024. 

Karen Bates, Wardie Bay Beachwatch, said: “It has taken much time and effort to achieve this result for the #wardiebay4bathingwater campaign. We can finally be delighted that Wardie Bay is to be a protected bathing water. 

“We are grateful to Cabinet Secretary Mairi McAllan for her progressive decision and for support from Council members who surmounted the obstacles to designation at this complex site. We are grateful too that SEPA published the essential information for Wardie swimmers in 2022. Thanks particularly to all those who help protect Wardie Bay, who signed the petition, took part in the campaign film and contributed to the applications.” 

Cllr Scott Arthur Environment Convener, City of Edinburgh Council, said:  “This is great news for the wellbeing of our residents and visitors who enjoy taking a dip in this great stretch of Edinburgh’s coastline. I’d like to thank the users of Wardie Bay for helping it join Portobello on Edinburgh’s riviera as a bathing water beach. 

“The water will continue to be monitored by SEPA, and I’d encourage you all to do your bit to keep it and the beach clean and protect nature there by taking your litter home with you, or use a local bin. Please also, remember to pick up after dog too, if you have one.  

“Of course, you can also enjoy the beaches and support local traders along our coast at Portobello, Silverknowes and Cramond.” 

Local outdoor spaces are integral to our physical and mental health and managing them well can improve well-being and other social and cultural benefits for local communities and visitors alike.   

SEPA takes water samples over the full three and half months of Scotland’s official bathing water season, and after analysis the results are posted online. Pre-season sampling is carried out during May. 

Congratulations to Karen and all involved with the Wardie Bay campaign – you have worked so hard and so long for this success. Well done! – Ed.

Celebrate! Wardie Bay Beach Party

Wardie Bay is a Scottish Bathing Water in 2023!

On 8th June, World Ocean Day, 7pm-late, please come and celebrate the Wardie Bay Bathing Water designation.

Bring a costume, friends and something to drink or nibble and we’ll hopefully sing to the sea with gratitude to everyone involved in making this finally happen.

THANK YOU !!!

#WardieBay4BathingWater

Jubilee Parade of Sail at Wardie Bay

Don’t miss out on this major Royal Forth Yacht Club event this weekend … the Platinum Jubilee Parade of Sail 👑

On the afternoon of Saturday 4th June, Wardie Bay will be filled with the Royal Forth armada of boats. To those members who haven’t signed up so far, don’t miss out on this unique occasion. To all our neighbours, do join in for what will be a fun afternoon both on the water and shore side.

RFYC seeks to create a colourful spectacle, inviting all boat owners to sail a short downwind course across Wardie Bay flying either a spinnaker or goose winged. For motor boats, the flying of flags is encouraged.

Depending on the wind direction, it involves sailing a short course from near the mouth of the harbour to Newhaven or the opposite direction.

We start from 2.30pm, when the launch commences, and the Parade begins at 4.00pm.

Throughout, within the club, our new BBQ will be fired up and the bar will be open. So, whether taking part or spectating, don’t miss out! We will be capturing the event with drone footage.

Every boat taking part will be entered into a Jubilee prize draw with a chance to win a sought after prize!

Follow the link below for more event info and it would be helpful if members could register your boat to take part:

https://www.royalforth.org/…/platinum-jubilee-parade-of…

#PlatinumJubilee

#HM70Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Wardie Bay is NOT designated as bathing water this summer

SEPA will carry out water quality sampling during 2022 season

  • Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan, has not designated Wardie Bay as a Scottish bathing water for the 2022 season
  • Due to high number of users SEPA will take samples during the season to monitor water quality  
  • Locals and visitors are encouraged to play their part in protecting and improving local water quality

Wardie Bay in Edinburgh has not been designated as one of Scotland’s designated bathing waters following a decision by Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan MSP.

However, Scotland’s environmental regulator will take water samples and publish them online, reflecting the high number of users during the season, which runs from 1 June to 15 September.

Application for designation 

The application for bathing water status was submitted by Wardie Bay Beachwatch.

The submission was considered by the Bathing Water Review Panel and recommendations based on the criteria for designation were passed to the Minister for Environment and Land Reform.

Evidence provided confirmed that Wardie Bay had a large number of bathers, and there was community support for the designation. The third requirement, around beach management, has not yet been met.

Given the level of community use and the commitment from City of Edinburgh Council to continue to work towards accepting beach management responsibilities, SEPA will sample Wardie Bay from May to September 2022 and results will be publicly available on a dedicated section of SEPA’s website.

Nathan Critchlow-Watton, SEPA’s Interim Head of Water and Planning, said:  “Scotland’s natural environment is world renowned. Our waters are at their best status on record and the best in the UK, including 99% of bathing waters meeting strict environmental standards in 2021. 

“As well as the physical and mental health benefits that being outdoors can provide, bathing waters can support local economies by encouraging visitors.

“Due to the high level of community use, and the ongoing work by City of Edinburgh Council. SEPA’s specialist teams will take samples throughout the bathing water season, providing water quality information for the local community and visitors.”

Help improve our beaches and coastlines  

Communities and visitors to Scotland’s beaches can also help to protect our water environment, even when they’re not there.  

It’s important that people understand the impact what they flush away can have on the environment – and their local bathing water. Every year Scottish Water teams deal with around 36,000 blockages, costing customers about £7 million annually, and around 80% of those are caused by people flushing the wrong items down the toilet, or pouring fats, oil and grease down the sink. These blockages in the sewer system can result in spills of pollution into the environment. 

Whether you are at home, at work or on holiday, Scottish Water provides advice on how to protect the network, and Scotland’s water environment, at scottishwater.co.uk/naturecalls 

Protecting our bathing waters while at the beach is also vital. Waste from animals or litter is not just unsightly, it can have a negative impact on the environment. So, visitors are encouraged to take litter home, clean up after their dogs and avoid feeding the gulls, ensuring a good beach experience for everyone who visits.

Find out more at keepscotlandbeautiful.org/mybeachyourbeach 

Stories by the Sea

SEA STORIES at Wardie Bay next week!

When: Thursday 26th August – 11am – 12:30pm

Where: An Eco-therapy Group Event at Wardie Bay/Granton Pier

If you would like to join please email Jenna: jennacorker@pchp.org.uk

Join us a Wardie Bay… Connecting with nature is good for us.

Eco-therapy practitioner Stephen McCabe Nature Therapy Online is passionate about the ways that Scotland’s traditional myths and stories can connect us with our beautiful landscapes.

Join us at Wardie Bay as Stephen shares a traditional story from the area related to the sea.

We will then, as a group, take a relaxing walk and share our own stories with each other related to the sea.

Personal memories are welcome, as well as our favourite stories with water themes!

Group activities and walking will last from 11-12, followed by lunch by the water. The lunches and snacks are on us!

If you would like any extra support to access this event please let Jenna know. Email Jenna at jennacorker@pchp.org.uk

#TakingStepsToBetterHealth

#wellbeing

#NorthEdinburgh

Wardie Bay’s Seal of Approval on Star Wars Day!

Harbour (common) seal numbers are declining in some parts of Scotland by up to 95%. The Fife Seal Group counted just 100 individuals in the Firth of Forth in 2019 and have stated a decline here of 40% since the 1990s (writes KAREN BATES of WARDIE BAY BEACHWATCH).

Numbers did not improve in 2021. Over the Covid-19 crisis, we have seen a notable increase in wildlife disturbance at Wardie Bay and Granton Harbour.

Indeed, the story is the same all around the coast, prompting Marine Scotland to publish new guidance for interacting with seals. We are understandably reconnecting with nature on our doorstep and may not be aware of the effect of getting too close to wildlife such as seals.

At Granton Harbour and beyond, the situation for harbour seals has become serious enough that signage has become necessary to help inform those not aware of the consequences of their actions.

Our pontoons are designated for wildlife conservation in this special protection area. Local people have responded by collaboratively creating a sign to help inform visitors and nudge away from behaviour that is causing the ‘flight’ response in the local seal population.

There is enough danger out there for this species. We do not need to cause them more harm. They clearly want to use the designated platform provided for them, but not when humans threaten to get too close.

The #SaveOurSealsSign challenge was sent out to four local primary schools: Wardie, Granton, Trinity and Victoria. 117 children returned some amazing and fun designs.

The public and a panel of seal experts were invited to vote on their favourites to be made into a final sign, which was installed yesterday – May the 4th, Star Wars Day.

The final #SaveOurSealsSign is a collage of the top three voted for designs. Congratulations to Sumaira (Trinity P7), Ella (Wardie P3) and Izzie (Trinity P7) and all the children and teachers for their fantastic work.

Huge thanks go to Kevin of TRAC engineering for coordinating the installation, to Steve and Sarah at Glasgow’s Logo Labels Ltd for their experience and for making the sign for us, and to Sam, Marion and Gregory of P1 Solutions for installing it!

They definitely get the Seal of Approval!

Logo Labels said, “We are proud to help bring awareness of issues in the greater community.

“As a lover of wildlife, owner Stephen McNeil jumped at the chance to help manufacture a sign to support this cause and make people aware of the issue for seals that inhabit the area”.

Wardie Bay Beachwatch said: “We now hope that people will see what local kids have to say, so that we can all enjoy these amazing animals – from a distance – for many years to come. May the 4th be with you!”

PICTURES: KAREN BATES

Wardie Bay Beachwatch this Saturday

Delighted to send you a prompt for our next Saturday event, this coming Saturday (writes KAREN BATES of Wardie Bay Beachwatch). Last month’s Great British Beach Clean weekend had us change our pattern a little bit, but we’ll slowly get back to normal and go back to the original beginning of the month plan. How do people feel about December, January, February? Happy to brave the elements?
 Continue reading Wardie Bay Beachwatch this Saturday

Love your coastline: Wardie Bay deep clean!

Wardie Bay Beach will be receiving a thorough clean on Saturday 1st April as part of Beachwatch, the Marine Conservation Society’s beach clean and litter survey which aims to highlight the issues of beach litter around the UK’s coastline.  Continue reading Love your coastline: Wardie Bay deep clean!

Saturday cleanup for Wardie Bay

Wardie Bay Residents Association (WBRA) are organising their annual clean-up of Wardie Bay beach tomorrow afternoon from 2pm until 5pm – and they could use some help!

Trinity Community Council Secretary Tom Kelly said: “WBRA will supply  tools (picker-uppers, gloves and bin bags) for use in collecting lighter items.  They request those who can, to bring a  spade or fork to release larger items such as car tyres. The work party will be  meeting at the entrance to the beach off  Lower Granton Road. It would be  good if you can pass on this message to any possible volunteers – or indeed join  the work party yourself or send along able-bodied members of your family.”