Buckets of fun at the Southsea Beach Clean

After success at the sunny but unseasonably cold Southsea Parkrun 5k, we (Jen, Judy, Maura, Rachel, Rosie and Tracy) made our way down the seafront to the Coffee Cup in Eastney (somehow always a longer walk than you think it is?!) for the April beach clean.

This time we set off with buckets (supplied by Judy) instead of plastic bags to help Southsea Beach Clean reduce the plastic use of the event. We found all the usual suspects hidden amongst the pebbles and plants and lurking around the bins - sweet wrappers, bottle tops and cigarettes - but also a battery, rusted nails/ screws, a scrunchy hair band and disintegrating pieces of black plastic bag. All potential threats to marine life. Fortunately no undergarments this week; the standard Pompey GoodGym litterpicking find! We got some extra running in too chasing after the tiny bits of litter which the freezing wind blew back out of the buckets.. top tip: pin the litter down with pebbles!

We also had some good finds for the Great Easter Eggcase Hunt with some 'mermaid purses' (egg cases from sharks, skates or rays) for recording by The Shark Trust for their national survey.

We finished the mission and double GoodGym morning with a very welcome hot beverage in the Coffee Cup, and with everyone feeling good for the weekend ahead.