Summary
Fifteen people engaged in a shoreline walk around Badentarbet Bay and took part in two beach cleans collecting marine litter for recycling into skipping rope equipment. Participants said how they enjoyed being outside walking and doing something for the environment, making the most of the winter light and enjoying meeting people. Several even tested out the prototype skipping ropes!
Introduction to the activity and delivery organisation
I first contact Julia Barton on behalf of the Ullapool Community Sport Hub to commission a sustainable project and series of events as part of the Ullapool Feel Good Festival. We discussed recycling and repurposing beach litter into skipping ropes with the aim of distributing throughout Primary schools in the area later in the year for a Skippathon.
Julia organised and introduced the project as a short walk and talk along Badentarbet, collecting litter and sharing her love of the local coastline. The event was delivered by Julia Barton’s Littoral Art Project. During the walk and following the beach clean, Julia discussed ways people are tackling plastic pollution here in the Highlands, explained the concept of recycling and repurposing plastic litter to help us stay fit.
User / client group
Cross generational event – participants included upper primary pupils, high school pupils through to pensioners. Most of the participants coming from the wider Ullapool and Assynt community.
Location
Badentarbet Bay, Coigach (easy grade approx 1- 1 & 1/2km) Walk from Badentarbet Pier, walking down to the beach along the road and along the beach or the grassy back beach. We spent approximately 40 mins picking up beach litter. We concluded the walk with a look at Julia’s repurposed fishing litter Skipping Ropes and discussed Highland plastic recycling initiatives. Several Participants had a go at skipping and others sharing their memories of skipping including songs.
Outcomes
Health & wellbeing: socialisation, feeling less isolated – emotionally happier – I am hoping to encourage more walks and beach clean activities in the Ullapool and surrounding area to help people engage with the environment and exercise locally. The project plan is to then encourage more skipping activity events with the equipment made in local primary school. Helping people connect with the environment and sustainable fitness opportunities.
Key learning points
- People are keen to take part in winter outside activities especially when encouraged and organised opportunities are available.
- Timing of walks is crucial because of low light levels. I would start (mid -winter) afternoon walks earlier ie 1 or 1.30pm finishing no later than 3.30pm
- I would give more instructions about what types of plastic litter we can recycle here in the Highlands emphasising collecting (fishing rope/net) Polypropylene, as people can often become fixated on cleaning one small area of a beach rather than walking and collecting as they go. This would help them stay warmer in chill winds and wintery conditions.
Future plans / next steps
- I will run several more advertised small group walks / beach cleaning activities along the shorelines around Ullapool and Coigach during the next few months (Jan-Mar). We will be specifically collecting washed up Fishing rope, nets & cord.
- I will be developing the recycling element of the project with my colleagues https://www.facebook.com/Plasticatbay/ together we have secured extra funding to cover the cost of making a skipping rope handle mould – which will then be used cast using the fishing rope plastic collected in March. This may involve the https://www.facebook.com/NairnsGreenHive/ · I will be working with Ullapool Community Sport Hub to develop a skipping fitness event/s in the Ullapool /Coigach area, we aim for these to be cross generational. Collecting skipping songs sung locally and encouraging people to skip for fitness.
More information
For more information please contact Julia Barton at:
email: littoralartproject@btinternet.com