Burnham-On-Sea’s Mayor and Mayoress were among dozens of residents who watched a pioneering film highlighting the problem of plastics in our environment on Saturday (October 13th).
Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Council organised the free screening of ‘A Plastic Ocean’ at The Princess Theatre as part of its ‘green’ campaign to make the town plastic-free.
The film showed how plastics that enter the oceans are ingested by sea creatures and birds and their young, often fatally.
When plastics break up into small particulates they enter the food chain, where they attract toxins like a magnet – and these toxins are stored in seafood’s fatty tissues and are consumed by us.
Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Council has signed up to be part of the Plastic Free Communities Campaign run by Surfers Against Sewage, and is working with members of the Plastic Free Partnership to help local firms, groups, organisations and schools give up single-use plastics and promote the use of more environmentally friendly materials.
This hard-hitting film, winner of 14 awards, was filmed across 20 locations and uncovers the harrowing state of pollution in our ecosystems and the Town Council says it hopes that it inspires lasting change.
During the event, there was also a display of plastic items at the front of the theatre and suggestions for alternative materials that could be used to replace them and Litter Free Somerset will be there with useful information.
The Town Council’s theme for this year is ‘Clean and Safe Beaches’ and the Mayor, Cllr Bill Hancock, pictured above, is keen to spread the word about the danger of plastics and the importance of the local marine rescue services, RNLI and BARB.
Bill is encouraging everyone to get involved: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, a businessman, farmer, shopper, resident or visitor: I’d like to see all of us making the effort to help clean up our streets and coastline and preventing further pollution.”
“A small change in our daily habits can make a big difference. Please think about the materials you’re buying – and businesses can consider the products they are supplying.”
“There are regular beach cleans, pictured, to take part in and people can do a quick two-minute beach clean at any time. I really hope that local residents take the opportunity to come along to the free screening of A Plastic Ocean.”
The Council is supporting Litter Free Somerset’s Business Award Scheme and is leading by example by working through an action list at both the Town Council offices in Jaycroft Road and at the Princess Theatre to improve practices.
Pictured: Top – Town Council Clerk Tatiana Cant, Mayor Bill Hancock, Litter Free Somerset’s Chloe Walker-Panse, Mayoress Frances Hancock
