I am certainly willing to voice my feelings and take action but alas, without others, I will just be one small voice in the wilderness.
Well that makes two of us then Yorkie - and two is better than one - is better than none - yes?. I am not really thinking of approaching the Council - I think it is already certain that is a brick wall which is not worth the cranial collision damage. No - what I suggest is bypassing them altogether.
All I ask is say four people (ideally more of course) to help with writing, researching, photographing and generally being an enthusiastic support. I can't do it all myself especially not as I am in the Netherlands although geographical location does not really matter much these days. Together we can all really make a big difference - come on! all we have to do is decide to do it:
ok - to be more specific regarding the beach issue any or all of the following will help:
How long does everyone think it would realistically take for the council to do anything about cleaning up the problem through the usual Dickensian procedures?. I think we would realistically be talking about at the very least next season (june july) at the earliest. What could be done by thinking differently in the meantime?
1. Photographic study of the issue:a. Helicopter view (not literally) - a view of the complete extent of the growth from a high position - perhaps from the area of the Rocking Stone looking down onto the beach.
b. A shot of the growth in the context of its effect on the tourism industry - peak season shot of deserted beach in the sunshine with the green growth in frame. This would be best taken from the same position as an older photograph from say 20 years ago to show comparison.
c. Close-up image of the growth from a low angle showing recognisable landmark in the background.
d. Macro shots in situ of various species of growth.
e. Macro shots in studio lighting conditions of various species.
f. Microscope photography of various species of growth.
g. Time lapse study from say, one of the tower rooms of the Grand Hotel looking down on the beach over a period of say four months. The time duration between shots would depend on the species of the growth. For example if it is as I suspect algal growth, the growth rate could be anything from hours to a week to see any significant change in coverage/density. Therefore daily shots would be necessary - I am sure this could be organised as a team effort by the forum. It could also be achieved by the use of a high resolution automated webcam. The resulting film would form the basis of presentations and analytical data on how the growth is affecting public usage of the beach.
2. Analysis:a. Take live samples of the various species of growth and submit them for analysis to interested educational insitutions.
b. Produce growth rate graphs based on photographic evidence, witness reports and historical records.
c. Primary analysis criteria would be species identification, toxicology, chemical properties, trace elements and bacteriological pollution vectors.
3. Study phase:a. Based on research results establish study panel to investigate the potential for resolution or development. It is quite possible at this stage that it may be discovered that the growth may be used as a positive advantage to Llandudno and North Wales in general.
b. Fester, imagine that it was discovered that the growth on the beach was in fact
CHLORELLA . How about a worldwide herbal remedy business run from your kiosk marketing 'Llandudno's elixir of life'? . It could be possible that the green growth invading the beach at the moment is the best thing that has happened to Llandudno since Alice took her trip down the rabbit hole. Then again it could be a just another result of pollution, and in that case through this research we would have a solution to the problem now and further into the future, and the basis of a convincing case for funding.
Summary:The history of the UK's spa towns is based on just such creative use of Mother Nature's mysterious deeds. Llandudno itself was built on such a basis. Who knows, the mysterious green growth could be the beginning of a new phase in the town's development. The tourism industry has been in decline for decades anyway - mostly related to the great British weather and cheap flights to Spain and the like. Hence the Victorian extravaganza and other initiatives designed to keep heads above water. Daring to think different is not always a bad thing.
just a thought.....