Norfolk Wildlife Trust is delighted that Ben Garrod: ambassador, UEA professor and BBC broadcaster, will be making waves at Cley Calling Festival by hosting a free day of celebration Ocean Commotion on 21 July.
Drawing on the theme of all things maritime, from 11am- 4pm, Garrod will be joined on Cley Beach by local groups who share the common aim of appreciating the wildlife and landscape of the North Norfolk Coast.
In the wake of Blue Planet, this event promises to be the perfect opportunity to learn more about life in the ocean on Norfolk’s doorstep, and how to get involved with its preservation. Last year, Sir David Attenborough named Cley Marshes as “one of the great places in Britain to see wildlife.”
He also warns that “as the world warms, there will be extreme things happening to this coast, and we need people who understand it and will look after it – not just for ourselves, but for the wonderful creatures that live on it.”
Garrod says “with humpbacks coming back like faithful summer tourists and baby baleen whales being found, there are welcome signs that our seas are recovering. Marine wildlife faces huge problems from plastics and other pollutants to by-catch, over-fishing, and an increasing noisy marine environment in areas like the North Sea busy with shipping. Marine Conservation Zones, such as the Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds, are helping, and signs that the public recognise the huge problem posed by plastics for marine wildlife are encouraging.”
In anticipation of the celebration, Garrod says: “the North Norfolk Coast is an incredibly special place, and I am excited to play the role of host in what we hope will be a fun event. Now is an important time as ever to be engaging with the natural world, and to be thinking about our impact on the wonderful areas that surround us.”
With Blakeney Old Rovers Shanty Group attending, visitors to the event can also expect to experience the joy of traditional sea songs throughout the day. Other groups attending include; NWT, RSPB, RNLI, Friends of Horsey Seals, Temples Seal Trips, The Coastal Exploration Company, Cley Harbour, Holkham National Nature Reserve, The Wash and North Norfolk Marine Partnership, Norfolk Trails and many more. This event is free to all, and will be held on Cley Beach from 11am – 4pm, on 21 July.
Ocean Commotion is part of
Cley Calling: Changing Tides, which is a festival celebrating wildlife, landscapes, people and place of North Norfolk, between the 18 and 21 July. The exciting array of events at Cley Visitor Centre include workshops, films, walks, talks, performances, music and food. Full details at www.cleycalling.com
As Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s oldest and best known nature reserve,
Cley Marshes provided a blueprint for nature conservation which has now been replicated across the UK. This important conservation zone is home to the spectacular marsh harrier, and is regularly visited by many migrating and rare birds; the spoonbill and snow bunting being just a couple of these.