What’s Lurking in the Sand? Falmouth’s Beach Safety Event Reveals Hidden Hazards

Residents and visitors learn how to stay safe at Gyllyngvase Beach during half term

Falmouth Town Council kicked off its Sand Safe Awareness Event at Gyllyngvase Beach this week, with crowds turning out in the sunshine to learn how to keep Cornwall’s beaches cleaner, safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Timed to coincide with the half term holidays, the 29th May event attracted both residents and holidaymakers. Visitors engaged with hands-on activities and demonstrations focused on protecting Falmouth’s coastline — and picked up some practical advice along the way.

Three Simple Rules

The awareness campaign encourages everyone to follow three key guidelines to protect the beach environment:

• No open fires on the sand — BBQs should be contained in a vessel, and remains must be disposed of responsibly

• Bin and recycle your litter

• Respect dog-friendly hours and clean up after your dog

Falmouth’s Environment, Education and Enforcement Officers, Tess and Eammon, were on site sharing these messages, supported by Deputy Mayor Tom Pearce, who attended to show backing from Falmouth Town Council.

Beach Safety in Action

The event featured a range of interactive activities. Attendees experienced local sea grass habitats through virtual reality headsets, learned about their importance to marine life, and took part in beach cleans.

One eye-opening activity demonstrated the danger of open fires on beaches — a beach magnet was used to reveal hidden metal debris left behind in the sand.

A fire engine made an appearance, allowing visitors to get up close with equipment used by emergency services to help keep the community safe.

Family Fun and Community Support

Children were treated to a beach story time session run by Jayne from Falmouth Library, which proved popular with younger visitors.

The day was made possible thanks to the support of many local organisations, including:

• Plastic Free Falmouth

• Safer Cornwall

• Falmouth and Helston Police

• Blue Meadows Seagrass Community

• Fal and Helford MPA

• Aqua Culture

• Surfers Against Sewage

• Cornwall Council Beach Rangers, Anti-Social Behaviour and Civil Enforcement teams

• Falmouth Harbour

• Dracaena Centre

• Falmouth Library

• Falmouth Community Fire Station

• RNLI

Falmouth Town Council thanked everyone who stopped by, took part or paused to learn more, saying:

“Together we can help keep our beaches Sand Safe for a safer, cleaner, greener Falmouth.”