‘Protect what you love’ – swimmers and surfers urged to join Saunton Sands show of support

Swimmers and beach users are being urged to show their love for Saunton Sands tomorrow (Sunday, July 20) by forming a giant living heart on the beach.

The feature will be created by a human daisy chain and as many people as possible are invited to attend the event at 8am for a community show of support to oppose the White Cross cable plans for the beach.

The message will be ‘protect what you love’ and will highlight the importance of the beach for swimmers.

READ MORE: ‘David and Goliath battle’ – campaigners bid to mount White Cross legal challenge

The cables, which will serve the White Cross offshore floating windfarm, will come ashore at Saunton and then tunnel under a variety of protected areas before connecting to the National Grid at Yelland.

While the cable scheme has now been granted planning permission by North Devon Council, campaign group Love Braunton continues to fundraise to mount a legal challenge, supported by Save Our Sands (SOS).

The heart shaped gathering is the latest in a series of demonstrations and publicity events to raise awareness, which have included a living line of surfers showing the route of the cables plus the recreation of iconic Pink Floyd album cover A Momentary lapse of Reason, with beds on the beach.

Above: The surfer-inspired demonstration at Saunton which depicted the route of the White Cross cables. Credit: SOS

With a focus on beach swimmers, this event is supported by Baggy Bluetits, the local branch of The Bluetit Chill Swimmers who are based at Saunton.

Group admin Tracie Hudson said: “We have socially prescribed swimmers who have been advised to join us from Caen Medical Centre and Live Well in Braunton.

“The water has played a huge part in so many peoples’ recovery from anxiety and depression, pain management and helps ease the symptoms of menopause.”

Paul Irwin, one of the UK’s leading cold water immersion coaches said he was ‘proud to support SOS in its campaign to oppose the cable route.

He added: “In their application where they assess impact on beach users, White Cross conclude that the level of impact is not significant - based on the fact they’d consider swimming and surfing to be seasonal and occasional.

“That’s inaccurate. They also state any impact is ‘reversible’ once the project concludes.

"But what they seem to ignore is what Tracie has highlighted - that every swim counts.”

READ MORE: 'Cables don’t stay buried’ – Saunton Sands campaigners will gather to highlight ‘cable chaos’

Helen Cooper of Save Our Sands said: “We are so delighted the chill swim community has joined forces to demonstrate the passion there is for the vital role Saunton plays in people’s daily lives and supporting mental and physical health and wellbeing.”

All are welcome to go along and join the giant heart effort at 8am.

Fundraising donations for the legal challenge can be made via www.saveoursands.co.uk or www.lovebraunton.org