Blue Flag award for 15th year running in 2013
Pictured left to right:are Rusell Berryman (TDC resort staff), Nigel Cousens (The Boathouse), Mellony Kirby (Cofton Country), Helen Scott (Chairman - Dawlish Warren Tourism), Pinder Benning (Warren Trading), Gary Brown (Pavilion Amusements), Sjovahn Chapron TDC resort staff.
Teignbridge Celebrates Awards For Top Quality Resorts And Beaches
The internationally renowned Blue Flag is presented to those beaches that pass the very strictest of criteria for environmental management, visitor facilities, cleanliness and clean bathing waters, meaning that residents and visitors to the resort can expect a top quality experience.
The Blue Flag Programme is administered in England by Keep Britain Tidy and is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). A highly effective monitoring system, it measures everything from accessibility for disabled visitors through to the amount of bins provided and litter left on the beach. Water must be clean enough to have achieved the highest standard defined by international law.
Blue Flag winners are allowed to fly a Blue Flag during the bathing season and must display their water quality and the facilities they provide on 'easy to read' signs at the beach. Award winners are monitored regularly and if standards slip, the flag is taken down.
The Blue Flag is a particularly strict scheme it is testament to the leisure and resorts staff that Dawlish Warren is able to fly the flag for the 15th year running. Backed by sand dunes, Dawlish Warren is more than just a bucket and spade beach - it also boasts an internationally protected National Nature Reserve, green space, amusements, shops, pubs and cafes.
In yet another piece of good news, Coryton Cove (Dawlish), Ness Cove (Shaldon) and Teignmouth Town Beach retained their Seaside Awards - something they have won every year since the scheme was launched in 2008.
The independently assessed seal of approval is awarded to beaches which achieve very high quality standards excellent cleanliness, safe access and appropriate signage.
All the awards reassure residents and visitors that they can look forward to top-quality, family friendly beaches.
Cllr George Gribble, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Communities, Recreation and Leisure, said:
"Once again beaches in our popular resorts have been judged as outstanding and we are really proud to be able to say that we provide safe, quality beaches for residents and visitors to enjoy.
"This is a great chance to say a big thanks to all our hard working leisure and resorts staff, local traders and our partners for their efforts in making sure our beaches meet - and indeed exceed - the stringent standards to retain these prestigious awards.
"We are sure the awards continue to help us attract visitors and give local traders, the community and Teignbridge staff a big boost ahead of the busy summer season - which starts with the coming extra long weekend thanks to the Bank Holiday."
