To take pebbles from the beach?

[DarylDixonsHair]

Is it allowed? I'd like to put some borders around my flowers beds so need about 20 - 30 medium sized ones. I wouldn't take them all in one go, probably a handful at a time while dog walking.

Just wanted to check I'm not breaking the law/endangering the planet/taking the piss.

I know this is an old thread but I’m honestly a bit mind blown! I always take shells and small pebbles when we visit the beach!
I even know people who have a business making pebble art and sell!

So what about the odd seashell or piece of seaglass or old bits of pottery? Have I been breaking the law all this time?

If I make sure it's the same stone quartz/ granite and so forth?

I occasionally pick one up but I wouldn't take that many - definitely a garden centre visit IMO.

I also collect driftwood from the beach of the loch. Is that also against the rules? The council scrapes it to one end and burns it once a year. I don't see how that is better for the ecosystem...

@womaninatightspot

If I make sure it's the same stone quartz/ granite and so forth?

Still no because you’re disturbing the ecosystem while you swap them around. Just leave it in peace.

@womaninatightspot

I also collect driftwood from the beach of the loch. Is that also against the rules? The council scrapes it to one end and burns it once a year. I don't see how that is better for the ecosystem...

Definitely leave driftwood alone, google is your friend here.

Weirdly taking seashells is OK but taking pebbles is against the law. You will probably be OK with a bucketful. Filling a wheelbarrow or sacks might be pushing it

@Wroxie

So what about the odd seashell or piece of seaglass or old bits of pottery? Have I been breaking the law all this time?

Seaglass and pottery is fine because it’s non-natural. Leave the shells.

My DS2 is in big big trouble...

What about bricks then? I recently picked up a few sea-worn bricks from our local beach for the garden, and was planning to pick up any more I see. They're technically litter, right, like sea glass? So it's ok to take them?

Also, the beach is by a river, not the sea. Does that make any difference?

@MuthaClucker

but please, not in wet cement.

@Stillinsistsheseestheghosts

What about bricks then? I recently picked up a few sea-worn bricks from our local beach for the garden, and was planning to pick up any more I see. They're technically litter, right, like sea glass? So it's ok to take them?

Also, the beach is by a river, not the sea. Does that make any difference?

I would imagine bricks are ok since they’re non-natural but give it a google. I’m not sure why you would when you could just buy them though, since there probably will be microbes and so on them supporting life.

No, it doesn’t matter where the ecosystem is.

We have six buckets of sea pottery shrugs

Huge bits of tiles, bricks, glass, stoneware, pottery chips etc .

I know people who do this as a business .

Live in a tiny coastal village - most gardens here are full of sea glass and shells and fishing rubbish . Totally normal .

Never worried yet about being prosecuted !

@mummydaydreams

...ship in stones and pebbles from abroad.

aren't these 'councils and the environment agencies' ruining some other countries coast to reinforce ours then?

@noneedforthat

We have six buckets of sea pottery shrugs

Huge bits of tiles, bricks, glass, stoneware, pottery chips etc .

I know people who do this as a business .

Live in a tiny coastal village - most gardens here are full of sea glass and shells and fishing rubbish . Totally normal .

Never worried yet about being prosecuted !

Pebbles and driftwood though?

Yes to both ... garden is full of stuff from the beach . Neighbours make sculptures from the driftwood and oaths from pebbles . Also have bits of the railway line that used to run behind the house ... sleepers etc .

@noneedforthat

Yes to both ... garden is full of stuff from the beach . Neighbours make sculptures from the driftwood and oaths from pebbles . Also have bits of the railway line that used to run behind the house ... sleepers etc .

And you’re not worried then by the massive scale of damage that must have been done to your own natural habitat because people think the stones are nicer in their garden than where they’re actually needed by nature?

@Thecruxxofitis

Why wouldn’t you? How would the rule be enforced? What punishment would you receive?

I don't believe some people! You don't break the law just because you know you wont be caught - you adhere to it because it's the right thing to do, and it's there for a good reason. Laws aren't just made up willy nilly!

If you don't like the law, campaign to have it changed - but don't ignore it and break it.

Just think what would happen (has happened in some places) if everyone helped themselves to pebbles and sand from the beach. FFS!

there was discussion about this re Blackpool. people taking 1? OK but 10,000 a year decide to do it then the number of pebbles will reduce. Then someone will turn up with a mechanical shovel and scoop 1000s up everyday because nobody said they couldn't. just leave them.

It would be very bad and wrong and you should go directly to the naughty step.

Yes , take those pebbles, add them to the spring flowers you allowed your toddler to trample on in the park, and the wild flowers you pick a bunch of on your country walks that are dead before you get home. You can display the pebbles next to the birds eggs you took because they were the exact colour of your kitchen paintwork while you sit next to the blazing fire of logs you chopped down and brought home after your abortive woodland mushroom foraging walk when you threw the mushrooms away in the end because you weren’t sure.....

After all, it’s only you, no onewill notice , and it won’t make any difference.

Honestly just do it OP, just take a few nice ones at a time. No one cares apart from a few busy bodies

Lot's of people care. It's not about one person doing it, it's all of the people who think its ok. You're fucking up the beaches. Do try to give a shit about anything other than yourself, for once

Crikey viques! although I agree with you.

Also remember - this is your own planet you’re fucking around with here. Sniggering about your own ignorance doesn’t change that.