Chris Elmore MP for Bridgend & Porthcawl, joined local volunteers and the Marine Conservation Society team at Newton Beach on Friday 19th September to mark the start of the Great British Beach Clean (19–28 September 2025). The event is part of a nationwide effort, with thousands of people across the UK taking part to help keep coastlines clean and safe for wildlife.
During the clean, volunteers collected litter including plastics, cans, and other debris, preventing it from entering the sea. The team even uncovered an old lorry wheel buried deep in the sand, which required careful teamwork to remove safely.
Chris Elmore extended his thanks to local volunteers from the Porthcawl Wombles, who organise regular beach cleans in the area, and to Ryan from Grow and Grind Café for supporting the event. Chris has previously joined the Wombles on beach cleans at Coney Beach and praised their dedication to keeping Porthcawl’s coastline clean.
Chris said: “It was fantastic to join local volunteers at Newton Beach in Porthcawl for the Great British Beach Clean. Seeing so many people come together to care for our coastline is truly inspiring. Every bit of litter removed makes a real difference to our beaches, our wildlife, and our community. A special thank you to the Porthcawl Wombles, who organise regular beach cleans, and to Ryan from Grow and Grind Café for their continued support – your dedication helps keep Porthcawl’s beaches beautiful for everyone.”
The Great British Beach Clean not only helps keep the UK’s coastline clean but also collects important data that drives conservation campaigns and informs policy changes. Over the years, data collected through beach cleans has contributed to initiatives such as the plastic bag charge, banning microplastics in personal care products, improved wet wipe labelling, and support for a tax on single-use plastics.
For more information about the Marine Conservation Society’s work in Wales and across the UK, and to find out about future beach cleans, visit www.mcsuk.org
