Bournemouth beach - “Major incident”

[BebeGlazer]

The local police and council have now declared that Bournemouth beach is scene of “major incident” because people will not stay away. Overcrowding, littering, desperately dangerous parking.

www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18541911.bournemouth-beach-bcp-council-declares-major-incident/

Please, please, think kindly before travelling to small seaside towns at the moment. We cannot cope.

@teaflake I live in a one bedroom tiny flat but hot weather is my idea of hell. Ive never sunbathed. I HATE the heat.

But this also means im in no hurry to go and sit in a hot humid hair salon So this will backfire re economy in other ways. Ive had impetigo in the past on my bottom lip caused by stress and humidity. So wont go anywhere where it could affect this Unfortunately that means where id normally spend money.

Those who went to Bournemouth I cant understand why ppl like the heat so much.

Maybe it's not about heat, maybe it's about NOT being as hot. The coast is cooler, the sea is definitely cooler.

I just don't have it in my heart right now to get all judgy about people who are running out of steam, becaus frankly I am running out of steam.

Then you're in the group that Boris spoke about at the start of lockdown. Those whom he said would not tolerate a long period of lockdown. I, and many others, belong to the other group - who don't want a second period of lockdown; who know of people who died of covid; who have close family who are critically vulnerable and shielding and haven't seen them for months; and who, while strongly disagreeing with a lot of the government action and the way they've presented themselves, will stick to the guidance almost the letter. Oh, and by the way, we're not sheep either.

@EnlightenedOwl: "Apologise for what??"

I think it's quite telling that you have to ask this. But to spell it out, for your unforgiveably sneery comments to a poster with lifelong health issues - which have fortunately now been deleted.

The sneering superiority of the ‘I shall take my thousands to Spain’ brigade whilst totally failing to to grasp that it’s the state of emergency that’s the issue, is depressing. Clearly money doesn’t buy common sense or very basic critical thinking skills,

Of course Bournemouth gets busy and if you live there or nearby you know thats the deal. But I don’t remember one of the local MPs having to appeal for policing help before and 8 tonnes of rubbish is disgusting, the situation today is clearly out of control and that and that alone is the issue. Not people being NIMBYs.

lauraly

@EnlightenedOwl you said upthread you had already had Covid19, I hope you don't mind me asking, were you tested for it?

CurlyhairedAssassin if Mr Johnson had acted in the beginning the period of lockdown would have been shorter.

Open air swimming pools would be open by now and holiday cottages, for example.

If Dominic Cummings had been sacked there would be greater compliance with social distancing.

Curly, don't want to say exactly but it's a trad bucket-and-spade beach resort which relies v heavily on tourism now after the closure and relocation of other big local employers.

We're much less easily accessible than Bournemouth for day trippers, so I suspect we won't see scenes like that here - the beach was busier today but still easy to observe social distancing (according to dd who went down with a friend). We don't have anywhere NEAR enough public toilets at the moment though - thanks to the local council's bizarre decision-making rather than the virus - so until people are able to use shops, cafes and pubs, it's really not a great idea to come here for the day.

Well, they are outside. Not sure what all the fuss is about?

To be frank, the residents of these seaside towns cannot have it both ways. On the one hand, they are kicking off about people coming to visit but they are also complaining about lost jobs in hospitality.

Are you having a fucking laugh? You think it’s seaside residents who want things both ways?! The inland residents choose to live in areas where hospitals can cater for large numbers. Where there are lots of facilities that are open all year around. Where employment isn’t seasonal and there are more opportunities. They want all of that but also want to be able to travel down to the beach in their hordes when it’s sunny, parking in people’s driveways, shitting and pissing wherever the fancy takes them, abusing local residents when they decline to open their homes up for people to use their loos, leaving their crap everywhere because they can’t be bothered to pick it all up and take it home with them (including broken glass where people often go barefoot) so that the council have to spend a fortune clearing it up, getting drunk and fighting then abusing traffic wardens and people trying to collect the tons of rubbish they’ve left behind. The beach village closest to me (about ten minutes away) has been gridlocked since 9am this morning. Residents haven’t been able to get to or from work or do their shopping or even take their dog for a walk safely. It’s a bloody good job nobody needed an ambulance or the fire brigade because they wouldn’t have been able to get through. Just like people awaiting food and medicine deliveries have had to go without today. Children were stuck on a school bus for hours in temperatures of 30+. And you’re surprised that the residents aren’t grateful because you come and spend a quid on an ice cream?

I hate beaches full of people at any time, but particularly in a pandemic. People seem to be stupid.

I'm really irritated by this sort of behaviour as I really want to take my holiday later this year, to Wales, to see family. But in light of this it's extremely unlikely.

sit in gridlock and end up with heat stroke

And yet there is no risk of this while wearing a mask on public transport.

@ohthegoats

Maybe it's not about heat, maybe it's about NOT being as hot. The coast is cooler, the sea is definitely cooler.

It's not just beaches though. The hotter it is the more people descend on parks, beaches, promenades etc. I've had daily walks or bike rides since the March lockdown and you can count on how many will be out by the weather. The hotter it is the more people. Beaches just bear the worst of it.

@SomewhereEast You're so right. Most of us have been incredibly unselfish. We gave up many of our rights, freedoms and the vast majority of pleasures in our lives, with barely a shred of protest, accepted a "TEMPORARY normal" (I will not utter the ubiquitous other phrase) of endless queueing and restrictions, while constantly hearing conflicting "advice" from an overpaid bumbling clown in a suit. Children stopped going to school, stopped seeing their friends and family, teenagers didn't take their exams, students are taking less than proper tuition (while having to pay full tuition fees). Many parents are having to work from home and look after their children. Many people have had hospital treatment delayed. Many of us are constantly worrying about our futures, and the mental health of our families.

To the dementors who are gleefully anticipating the fabled second wave, longing for rain because "it stops people going out", baying for extended lockdown, beaches to be closed etc: while not condoning the behaviour of these beach-goers, it is getting fucking boring constantly being told we're "selfish arseholes" for wanting to enjoy ourselves.

We've earned a fucking break.

CallmeAngelina

Thanks for everything you are doing and so glad you have recovered.
It must seem like nobody is listening, some of us are.
This whole thing reminds me of the scene in The Poseidon Adventure, where the minister is saying, we are upside down, we need to go up, and only a few followed him, the rest went to their death.

Excellent post @wanderings. Some people have absolutely loved the opportunity to curtain twitch and complain about neighbours going out twice a day. Moaning about people being 'selfish' for popping out for a paper while they haven't left the house for 3 months.

They are absolutely praying for a second wave and it just hasn't happened despite warning after VE Day and the protests.

@wanderings

I'm not a dementor. I'm a local who is fed up of people using our local beach like the fucking tip and a toilet. That is selfish behaviour.

We've earned a fucking break.
Have your break, don't moan when your kids can't go back in september, can't have it all ways.

But when did enjoying oneself ever include leaving human waste in public places and people's gardens? Attacking people who are trying to clear rubbish? Not caring about anything else other than enjoyment?

The situation in Bournemouth is due to being overwhelmed by huge numbers of people before the town is properly prepared because lots of places where large numbers of visitors usually go can't open till July 4th due to the rules...... we could ignore them but what penalties would be suffered?

I am sceptical of the second wave, I don't want people suffering due to lockdown, yes rain would be nice right now to break the stifling heat and maybe fewer people will come tomorrow if its wet, which will give everyone catering for visitors a chance to regroup and prepare for the next lot.

Most people aren't selfish, there is alot of evidence of that since lockdown - the situation here today is unprecedented and the biggest concerns have been safety, not a desire to be Puritanical, I assure you.

it is getting fucking boring constantly being told we're "selfish arseholes" for wanting to enjoy ourselves.

Yes, you're right. Wanting to enjoy yourselves (doesn't everyone?) trumps everything else. No need to consider anyone else at all. Well done you.

It amazes me that some people actually thought that any of this was going to be easy, for anyone.

Most people are able to enjoy themselves without behaving like scumbags and leaving all their shit behind them too, but hey ho.

@OldQueen1969

Clearly visitors defecating in gardens and being abusive to litter pickers is not ideal. However, I do think we have to cut people a bit of slack when they've been stuck in small flats without gardens for 3 months.

I do think we should, however, that we should focus on the positive aspects of the situation- the virus has not been suppressed to a level where fun activities can now resume AND local seaside economies that rely on tourism can now start to get back to work and take money in.

We shouldn't allow a few individual small incidents overshadow what is actually an exciting moment for the country.

People are not working. Kids are off school. It is hot. It doesn't take rocket science to predict this would happen! If kids were at school there would be far less people there.

@CurlyhairedAssassin, I should take DH and DC to Crank Caverns and leave 'em there

Please, please, think kindly before travelling to small seaside towns at the moment. We cannot cope.

I haven't even ventured to the shops yet (apart from supermarket) but these whiny laments like OPs really do my head. You're preaching to the mostly converted, and sound very holier than thou.

I have no interest in being Bournemouth now, it sounds like hell.