The Northwestern Chronicle

13/08/2024

BEACH Buddies will take a short break this weekend after a hectic few weeks at the two agricultural shows, but chiefly because of the roads closing for the first MGP practice session on Sunday afternoon.

Back in action again next weekend.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital

08/08/2024

ONCE again we will be a good distance away from a beach this weekend when Beach Buddies holds its volunteer event on Sunday, August 11th, when we go to Knockaloe to clean up the grounds after the Royal Agricultural Show.

We have been involved with the show (and the Southern Show) for many years, with a team of our volunteers spending a morning collecting rubbish left behind after the two-day show.

It will be interesting to see how much rubbish is left for us to clean up - in recent years we have definitely noticed a major decrease in the amount of rubbish we collect, so it looks like the message is getting through.

Meet at 10.30am - entry is via the bottom gate (nearest Peel) - our truck and trailer will be there and easy to find. Everyone welcome - this is one of those events very different to cleaning beaches, but also very rewarding to see the area left spotless afterwards,

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital and this year won the Energy Globe world award for our "inspirational" education programme with young people.

02/08/2024

BEACH BUDDIES HEADING TO GLEN WYLLIN THIS WEEKEND

ONE of the Island’s most spectacular stretches of beach is the destination for Beach Buddies volunteers this weekend when we hold our session on Sunday, August 4th at Glen Wyllin from 10.30am.

We highly recommend a visit afterwards to the Glen Wyllin Campsite Cafe which has seen a fantastic refurbishment this year and now has am extensive sitting area for up to 80 people. It looks like the ideal venue for an afternoon event or party for a company, a social club or just a group of friends.Or even just a cool drink or coffee in a really great location. It’s another really excellent addition to the Isle of Man’s choice of a great place for eating out. More details on the page: “Glen Wyllin Campsite”.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital.

31/07/2024

BEACH Buddies teamed up with two really brilliant groups at an event in Peel last week and Dasa Moore from Standard Bank has sent a report and photographs which can now be found on our website

Beach Buddies at the Southern Show this weekend 25th July 2024 THIS weekend’s destination for Beach Buddies is the Southern Agricultural Show – an organisation with which we have… Read more

29/07/2024

We have been contacted on email via an anonymous source to back up an allegation about the staff at the Western Civic Amenity site.

Beach Buddies has always enjoyed an excellent relationship with all the staff at the site and have never had any problems with anyone working at the Western Civic Amenity site.

The fact that the email received today (July 29th) is not signed and has no name attached makes us believe this is a fake message. Or a deliberate attempt to cause problems.

Beach Buddies fully supports the Western Civic Amenity site and - unless we have proper factual evidence otherwise - we will not be changing our opinion.

25/07/2024

Beach Buddies at the Southern Show this weekend

THIS weekend’s destination for Beach Buddies is the Southern Agricultural Show - an organisation with which we have been involved for many years, raising awareness about litter in the environment and also doing the practical job of cleaning up the fields at the end of the show.

We have a stand at the top end of the show fields, so please come along and say hello. We will have a quick clean-up at the end of the day on Saturday and be starting our big clean-up on Sunday afternoon. Please come along and help if you can.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital.

19/07/2024

Beach cleaning this weekend at Blue Point

VOLUNTEER beach cleaning with Beach Buddies moves north this weekend with an event at Blue Point on Sunday, July 21st from 10.30am to 12 noon.

We are in the latter part of the bird nesting season, so we will be - as always at this time of the year - giving advice on how to avoid disturbing any birds or other wildlife. We will also be totally avoiding specific bird nesting areas. We also advise that volunteers don’t bring their dogs this week please.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital. We rely totally on much-needed and very much appreciated donations, no matter how small. To sponsor one of our seaside bins, or to help us buy much-needed equipment such as a new truck, a trailer or litterpickers please send a message to [email protected] or visit our website (www.beachbuddies.org.im) where you can make a donation via the QR code.

18/07/2024

There are some fake messages going around via emails from names of people that you will find familiar or are actually the same name as people you know very well. They are asking you to send an "Apple Gift Card" or make a "donation" to help a friend in hospital with cancer. Don't be fooled - it's yet another fake message. Why do these people never get caught?

09/07/2024

HORSE BOX FOR SALE:

I have an Iveco horse box for sale. It's in good condition throughout but has been sitting for a while without being driven and needs a little dose of TLC to get it going.

It's parked in Leodest Road, Andreas and needs shifting to a garage which deals with this type of vehicle. Any advice or recommendations for a reliable garage would be very welcome.

03/07/2024

WE ARE taking a short break from beach cleaning this weekend. Enjoy the Tynwald Bank Holiday weekend. Back again next Sunday.

25/06/2024

Beach Buddies clean-up at Niarbyl this weekend

BEACH Buddies will clean up the coastline at Niarbyl this weekend, with a volunteer session from 10.30am on Sunday June 30th from 10.30am.

It’s a little while since we have been in this area with a team, so there’s potentially plenty to do for volunteers in the various bays and coastal footpaths in the area. The meeting point is the cafe car park.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital. We rely totally on much needed and very much appreciated donations. To sponsor one of our seaside bins, or to help us buy much-needed equipment such as a replacement truck (£30,000), a trailer (£8,000) or litterpickers (£10 each) please send a message to [email protected] or visit our website (www.beachbuddies.org.im) where you can make a donation via the QR code.

20/06/2024

WE are back on the beaches again this weekend, with a volunteer session on Sunday June 23rd at Ballaugh from 10.30am.

We will concentrate on the area south of the beach, as none of the nests we have seen in a survey this week are on that part of the beach.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital. We rely entirely on donations to keep going. If you can help - or maybe the company you work for can help - it would be much appreciated.

10/06/2024

BEACH Buddies hosts another event nowhere near a beach this weekend when the charity hosts a clean-up event at Archallagan plantation on Sunday morning, June 16th from 10.30am. The meeting point is the main car park close to the Archallagan Road. The BB big red trucks will be there for all to see.

Once again, we are highlighting the fact that 90% of rubbish which ends up on our beaches starts inland and gets into the oceans via (1) a human being dropping rubbish anywhere - no matter how far from the ocean (2) the rubbish gets blown or washed into a stream, drain or river and (3) goes out to sea and ends up eventually on the beach.

So, any rubbish we collect at Archallagan this weekend is being gathered before it gets a chance to choke our oceans and harm wildlife and the environment. Archallagan is a big and busy plantation, so there is plenty of area to cover. It’s a beautiful place and we are delighted to help it stay that way and hopefully set an example to visitors to keep it that way.

PS - this is our very first Beach Buddies volunteer team event at Archallagan since being founded in 2006. We’re planning lots more brand new events like this during the coming months - watch this space!

We are also fully aware that we are right in the middle of bird nesting season so an event away from the coastline at this time of the year makes sense too. Therefore, it’s also a good time to go inland and reduce any possible disturbance to the birds.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital. We rely entirely on donations to keep going. If you can help - or maybe the company you work for can help - it would be much appreciated.

05/06/2024

My email has decided not to work and it looks like it might be a while before I can get someone to sort this out, so there will be no emails for the time being. Apologies. All messages ref Beach Buddies will be via this page, Instagram, Linkedin and our website

BEACH CLEANING – BUT NOT ON A BEACH !?! 15th May 2024 HOW does so much rubbish end up on our beaches and where is it al coming from? We… Read more

15/05/2024

BEACH CLEANING - BUT NOT ON A BEACH !!

HOW does so much rubbish end up on our beaches and where is it al coming from? We have been asked this question thousands of times over the years and the simple answer is that nearly all of it comes down rivers.

People drop rubbish in the street miles away from the sea and it goes down a drain, into a stream, into a river and eventually out to sea and then gets washed up on the beach. Research shows that around 90% of rubbish arrives on beaches this way and the other 10% comes from ships and a very small amount is actually dropped on the beach.

So, picking up rubbish inland before it gets into drains and rivers is a really good way of keeping the oceans and beaches clean. With this in mind, this weekend we are cleaning up miles away from the beaches with a community clean-up event in St John’s.

St John’s primary school have been great supporters of Beach Buddies for many years and we hold at least two big events a year with them close to the school, but on Sunday (May 19th) we will be asking volunteers to collect rubbish from all around the village and along the old railway line, riverside and footpaths.

Meet at the usual time of 10.30am at the car park at the oid railway station, close to the school and finish no later than 12 noon. As always, new volunteers of all ages are very welcome. Please join in - you will meet some great like-minded people.

* Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital. We rely totally on much needed and very much appreciated donations, no matter how small. To sponsor one of our seaside bins, or to help us buy much-needed equipment such as a new truck, a trailer or litterpickers please send a message to [email protected] or visit our website (www.beachbuddies.org.im) where you can make a donation via the QR code.

14/05/2024

ANNUAL PRE-TT BILLOWN CLEAN-UP WITH BEACH BUDDIES

THE annual Pre-TT clean-up of the Billown race circuit by volunteers from Beach Buddies will take place this year on the evening of Tuesday, May 21st.

Beach Buddies has been helping to clear rubbish from the side of the circuit for more than ten years - an idea started by regular BB volunteers David Wilkinson and Ron Ronan - which has been warmly welcomed by the race organisers.

It usually takes around an hour to complete the job, depending on the number of volunteers. The more that come along the quicker it gets done!

The meeting point is outside the Southern 100 race headquarters from 6.30pm. All equipment provided by Beach Buddies. We plan to finish no later than 7.30pm.

• Please note: Sorry, but for obvious safety reasons this is not an event for children as these can be very busy roads for traffic. We also advise that adult volunteers should wear hi-vis vests or jackets.

14/05/2024

BEACH Buddies will host an evening event this week when we join the people of Marown for a clean-up of the old railway line tomorrow (Wednesday evening, May 15th). This is an event for all ages - especially families - so please join in even if you have never tried it before. Beach Buddies will provide all the equipment (gloves, bags, litterpickers) and give a safety talk beforehand. Meet at 6.30pm in the car park alongside Marown Primary School. The session will last around 1 hour.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital

09/05/2024

KIRK MICHAEL IS THE VENIE THIS WEEKENDBEACH Buddies will make its first visit this year to Kirk Michael beach (Balleira) this weekend, Sundayt May 12th from 10.30am. For those not quite sure where this is, the access is via the road midway through Kirk Michael village close to the butcher’s. The session ends at 12 noon. Everyone, as always, very welcome. We have seen new volunteers at virtually every session this year, so please bring along any new faces to give it a go for the first time.

03/05/2024

BEACH BUDDIES HOLDING AN EVENT IN RAMSEY

THIS week's volunteer event will be held at Ramsey North Beach on Sunday, May 5th, from 10.30am finishing no later than 12 noon.

The meeting point is at the car park at the northern end of the promenade, alongside the former Grand Island Hotel site.

It's Bank Holiday Weekend and the weather forecast is pretty good too. Everyone welcome - especially new volunteers.

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IN ADDITION: For anyone who's free on Saturday (May 4th) you are welcome to join in with passengers from the Hurtigruten cruise ship company who will be attending an event at Castletown from 9.45am. The meeting point is Castletown Harbour alongside the footbridge. Everyone welcome. The session ends no later than 11.30am.

* Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital. We rely totally on much needed and very much appreciated donations, no matter how small. To sponsor one of our seaside bins, or to help us buy much-needed equipment such as a new truck, a trailer or litterpickers please send a message to [email protected] or visit our website (www.beachbuddies.org.im) where you can make a donation via the QR code.

25/04/2024

Beach Buddies visiting Peel this weekend

PEEL is the venue for this weekend’s Beach Buddies clean-up event - meeting at 10.30am on the harbour end of the promenade on Sunday, April 28th. We had a big number of new volunteers last week for the special Earth Day event with King William’s College and The Buchan School - 24 new faces, and loads of families taking part and really enjoying themselves!! Fantastic. New volunteers are always warmly welcome. Come along and give it a go!

08/04/2024

VERY early notice - we will be cleaning up the beaches at Hango Hill, Castletown on Sunday April 14th from 10.30am, meeting at the second car park past the Illiam Dhone monument. Everyone, as always very welcome - especially if you are a first-timer. We love to see new volunteers.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital and survives entirely on donations. Please help if you can.

25/03/2024

BEACH Buddies takes its traditional Easter weekend break, so there will not be an event on Easter Sunday. Back in action again the following weekend.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital and replies entirely on donations. Please help if you can.

22/03/2024

A ROYAL HONOUR FOR BEACH BUDDIES

IT WAS an honour for Beach Buddies to be chosen to be one of the environment organisations to meet Queen Camilla this week at a special reception in Government House.

We were amongst many other great local organisations given the chance for a brief conversation with the Queen, and the chance to give her an insight into what Beach Buddies has achieved over the years, especially the worldwide acknowledgement from the Energy Globe award in Norway.

Queen Camilla said she shared our serious concerns about the state of the world’s beaches and was informed about the current plan to send the message from the Isle of Man around the British Isles and around the world that there is a solution to this huge problem, with the example being set by the people of the Isle of Man.

Queen Camilla appeared very interested in what was said during our very brief conversation and we hope the simple fact that we were given a chance to speak to her will make a difference in the future of beaches and litter generally for the whole of the British Isles.

Our sincere thanks to our charity patrons, Lt Governor Sir John Lorimer and Lady Lorimer who invited Beach Buddies to meet Queen Camilla and help to spread the word.

We’ve no idea where this will lead to, but it can only be good for the Isle of Man, and - more importantly - the oceans and wildlife.
It will definitely help raise further awareness about what can be achieved by people simply getting together and doing something about this huge worldwide problem.

22/03/2024

EATING OUT IN THE ISLE OF MAN . . .

GOING out for lunch at weekends in the Isle of Man offers the chance for some great places to eat. We have found some really good places in recent times which are consistently very good, and now one brand new venue which is absolutely excellent.

In the coming weeks we will be reviewing a number of our favourite venues for eating out, including the Guard House at Jurby, Ballacregga Tea Rooms in Laxey, Greens Cafe in St John’s and Gophers on Ramsey Quayside . . . plus many more.

First on our list is the brand new offering at the Welbeck Hotel in Douglas where they have just started serving a new lunchtime menu on Saturdays from 11am to 2pm.

This doesn’t apply to many restaurants in the Isle of Man, but their Saturday Brunch is nothing short of 5-star. "Manx Eggs" on toasted muffins - Florentine, Benedict or Royale (£11.95). We tried Florentine - top notch with the eggs perfectly poached and served with perfectly cooked spinach and an excellent hollandaise with chives.

Michelle chose something we have never heard of before, but we will definitely be telling everyone about in the future - Banitsa (£9.50): fabulous filo pastry containing ricotta, spinach and herbs. Tasty, tasty, tasty!

Another dish new to us was “Green Shashuka” (£10.95) - poached eggs, leeks, kale and spinach with fresh herbs and Middle Eastern spices. We’re definitely giving this a go next time - it looked fantastic.

The extensive menu also included simple brunch dishes like “On Toast” (£6.50) with mushrooms, or smashed avocado or Boston beans, plus “Loaded Sandwiches” (£10) - a generous serving of either BLT, Croque Monsieur or aubergine pesto and Parma ham. There was also a very nice looking 3-bean salad (£9.50) which we will definitely be trying in the future.

Then there were pastries and cakes served with “Bottomless Coffee” (£8.50) with plenty of choice. We decided to share a cinnamon roll - a taste explosion and a cinnamon roll like no other we have tasted previously in the Isle of Man. Delicious.

In addition, there were waffles (£11.95) which looked fantastic - served with a choice of chocolate, strawberries, bananas, maple syrup and vanilla ice cream. “Gypsy Toast” (£11.50) also sounds like it’s well worth a try, served with cinnamon sugar, dulce de leche, whipped cream and mixed berries.

Top this all off with a choice of mini cocktails such as Bellini, Mimosa and Bloody Mary (£3.40 for one, £5.95 for two). The menu had something for all tastes. Plus you can order any drinks you wish from the bar.Just before Christmas we were in London for a few days (Energy Globe awards for Beach Buddies) and we had wonderful breakfasts twice on Kensington High Street in a beautiful restaurant - Caffe Concerto. The menu was very similar to the Welbeck’s - a fair bit more expensive than the Welbeck, but very similar in quality.

I'm normally a nightmare when it comes to dining out, and the first to find fault when something's not right. Don't expect all reviews to be so glowing as this one, but, honestly, the Welbeck’s Saturday Brunch is so good it would definitely be a hit on somewhere like Kensington High Street.

We’re definitely going back .

• www.welbeckhotel.com • 675663

18/03/2024

Having listened to today’s callers on Manx Radio’s Mannin Line, Beach Buddies is very happy to go to Ramsey to help with a community clean-up this coming weekend. We can clean up not just the beaches, but the entire town! - Poyll Doohey, harbour area, streets, playgrounds, Mooragh Park, anywhere.

Meet on Sunday morning, March 24th, at the Shoprite car park from 10.30am to 12 noon. All welcome - especially if you have never taken part before.

07/03/2024

IT’S Mother’s Day on Sunday and the weather forecast is pretty bad, so this weekend we are planning to devote time to mums everywhere in the Isle of Man and we will have a brief break from beach cleaning. Back again next weekend when we will be going back to the Port Erin area - to Spaldrick Beach where we know there is a big job to tackle with large amounts of rubbish to be shifted.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital.

28/02/2024

BEACH Buddies heads south again this weekend, with an event on the beautiful Port Erin beach, meeting at the slipway at the bottom of Strand Road from 10.30am on Sunday, March 3rd.

The meeting point is also immediately alongside the wonderful "Martha's Kitchen" which serves fantastic food and is highly recommended. Grab a coffee, soft drink and some culinary delicacies afterwards - you won't be disappointed.

• NOTE: the bird nesting season has officially started (from March 1st) and we are advising that everyone should be aware of this when walking beaches - particularly along the northwest coastline and the south west (Langness, Castletown, Scarlett, Pooill Vaaish etc). In the northwest the bird nesting sites are clearly defined with small fencing and signage. It doesn't mean we can't pick up rubbish on these beaches, but we are keen to follow the rules and use common sense.

• Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital. We rely entirely on donations to survive - please check our website if you can make a donation, no matter how small. www.beachbuddies.org.im

22/02/2024

WEEKEND EVENT AT SMEALE

ANOTHER beach cleaning session at a bird nesting area is lined up for this weekend for Beach Buddies - at Smeale on the north west coast.

We will be there from 10.30am until 12 noon. Map attached for those not familiar with the area.

• Beach Buddies is kindly sponsored by FIM Capital.
• Beach Buddies is winner of the Energy Globe world award for its inspirational work with schools and young people.
• We survive entirely on donations from individuals and companies. Please help if you can. Any donation, no matter how small, keeps us going.

15/02/2024

LANGNESS is the venue for this weekend's volunteer beach cleaning team event - from 10.30am on Sunday, February 18th.

We are concentrating on the Island's bird nesting areas for the next few weeks, prior to the official start of the new nesting season. The bird nesting season officially begins on April 1st.

New volunteers are always made very welcome. It's good fun, a great family event and makes you feel good about the world!

• Beach Buddies is kindly sponsored by FIM Capital.
• Beach Buddies is winner of the Energy Globe world award for its inspirational work with schools and young people.
• We survive entirely on donations from individuals and companies. Please help if you can. Any donation, no matter how small, keeps us going.

02/06/2023