Latest news with #SeanHassall
The Sun
4 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
One of UK's most tranquil seaside spots at risk of losing golden sands after huge blowhole emerges
A HARBOUR in a popular seaside town is facing a major issue after a huge blowhole has formed. The South Devon beach has seen the effects of erosion caused by decades of battering waves. 3 3 Now Hope Cove harbour is doing everything it can to save their breakwater afte a blowhole formed in the middle. Built 98 years ago by fisherman, the harbour wall was last repaired in 1983. Since then, there have been no funds available to refurbish it any further. Shocking discovery During construction, fishermen would work with the tide, building a section with each tide change. Between these periods, debris, rocks, and stones would be thrown in the middle and left there while the next section was built. Over the years, cracks have appeared and high water can be seen blowing the debris through the sea wall. Sean Hassall is the joint harbour master on Hope Cove Harbour and explained that the force of the waves has given the breakwater a significant battering. 'We had the breakwater X-rayed a few years ago and to our horror, there's loads of voids between our breakwater,' said Sean. This has caused a blowhole to form in the middle of the wall, which Sean says will be detrimental to the harbour and surrounding area in time. 'The kids think the blowhole is great, but it's only a matter of time before the breakwater goes," he explained. "If it goes we lose all the sand off the beach." Hope Cove relies massively on this golden sand beach for tourism, meaning the town will suffer a financial blow. Further problems On top of that as, cliffs and a mains sewage pipe also sit close by, and could potentially be affected. 'It will erode the cliff where the pathways go over to Inner Hope and Outer Hope, and along that path, there is a mains South West Water sewage pipe so that will obviously impact on the sewage system and South West Water,' the expert said. The harbour masters have considered various options for recovery of the breakwater, ranging from £1 million to £5 million. 'We're going for the just over £1 million option, it's an easier option for us,' explained Sean. And due to the carcinogenic nature of concrete, the harbour are unable to use it. Instead, they plan to bring in big boulders to reinforce the wall and repair what is already there. And since the harbour is completely independent and not funded by the South Hams District Council, all the money will have to be raised by the harbour and Friends of Hope Cove, a charity designed to protect the cove. "We have the Friends of Hope Cove Harbour, which are a brilliant group, they're the driving force to try and raise the money to rebuild our harbour wall,' said Sean. The harbour is planning a public meeting on Wednesday, August 6 to discuss their plans and when they will go ahead. 'There's lots of indications that there might be money there, but we first need to know how much it's going to cost, when we're going to do it, who's going to do it," said Sean. "Once we know that detail, we can then go out to the wider public and say look, we need the money who's going to help us'. 'Its getting the word out to people, a lot of people are very passionate about our village, it is a special place'. The Sun has reached out to the local council for comment. More on seaside towns The best and worst seaside towns in the UK have been officially named. Plus, a popular seaside town ranked among the country's best where you can spot dolphins swimming from the shore. Another seaside town is located just 90 minutes outside of London, and you can even find Banksy art there. And a Welsh seaside town that visitors say looks like it was plucked from the Italian coastline. Plus, the up-and-coming seaside town that hosts a viral Kate Bush event. 3
BBC News
27-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Sanitary bins to be added to Devon seaside toilets after row
Sanitary bins are to be installed at toilets in a seaside town following a row over a lack of waste disposal facilities. Photographer and artist Becci Hey, 58, has been installing sanitary bins in Hope Cove's public toilets for the past two years but South Hams District Council initially removed them.A council spokesperson said: "We are working... to ensure that we provide these facilities in the Hope Cove toilets and all our other facilities as quickly as we can."Ms Hey said the decision would mean that waste disposal bins would be installed in both female and male toilets and she described the move as "a great achievement". She said: "It was something that had to be done."It was a huge moral issue, an environmental issue, a hygiene issue and it was something that is such a fundamental necessity for everyone's dignity." Ms Hey - who was supported by harbour master Sean Hassall and other community members in her bid to install the bins - said she was "very happy with the decision" but would now wait for the council "to fulfill their promise".She said she wanted to thank all those who had "supported the cause". A spokesperson for South Hams District Council said: "The council recognises the importance of our public toilets to our residents and visitors and our council plan has committed to investing over £250,000 over the next three years to refurbish its 27 toilet blocks."This includes upgrading the sanitary facilities."The council added: "We agree that providing these facilities is important and disposing of the waste safely is equally as important."We appreciate the work that Ms Hey has done in supporting the facilities in Hope Cove and this is a great example of individuals helping support the wider community."
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sanitary bin ban row at Devon seaside toilets
Public toilets at a seaside town in south Devon are at the centre of a row over what campaigners call people's dignity and Hey has been installing sanitary bins in Hope Cove's public toilets for the past two years, supported by harbour master Sean Hassall and other community members. But their efforts to address what they described as a serious gap in public health provision have been thwarted by South Hams District Council, which has removed the council said it recognised campaigners' "good intentions" but "no-one approached the council to discuss their installation before their placement". Ms Hey said the people's dignity was being "flushed away" in the battle over bins."People should feel safe using those toilets in an environment where they can manage their periods with dignity," she said. "It's a massive moral issue. I feel the council is not treating service-users with the dignity and respect they deserve."The authority said in a statement: "We completely recognise the community had good intentions by placing bins within our public toilets for sanitary use. "However, no-one approached the council to discuss their installation before their placement. "We need to ensure we operate and dispose of waste in a safe and legal manner, therefore we will now carry out a review of this matter." Ms Hey disputes the council's reasoning. "Sanitary waste isn't clinical waste. It's classified as non-hazardous and can be disposed of in household bins," she said. East Devon, North Devon and Torbay councils all confirmed that they provided sanitary bins in their women's public toilets."At the height of the season, hundreds of people use these toilets," said Ms Hey."With no proper disposal facilities, hygiene was dire. Products were being left on the floor, behind toilets, even on sinks."Harbourmaster Sean Hassall said: "Since the bins went in, we don't get blocked toilets at all."It saves the council money and keeps our toilets nice." The campaign has now gained national backing from Prostate Cancer UK, which is calling for sanitary bins in all public toilets through its Boys Need Bins campaign."There is a really high need for them in men's toilets," said Nick Ridgman, head of support services at Prostate Cancer UK. "One in three men over 65 experience some level of urinary incontinence, and many men with prostate cancer need to use pads or other products. "Without bins, they're forced to carry soiled items around, or even go into women's toilets to dispose of them. "It's not acceptable and it stops men from living their best lives." Despite the council's claim that no-one approached it before installing the bins, Mr Hassall disputes that. He said: "The council do know we've got bins in there. They know we've got our own hand soap in there. Becci even puts flowers in the ladies' toilets. We go above and beyond."The community has also been providing free sanitary products to support those in need. "When people come down, they're amazed," said Mr Hassall. "People are so pleased, they often put a contribution in the lifeboat fund."
