I remember visiting Guernsey for the first time as a family over the May bank holiday in 2018, and I couldn’t get over the beautiful beaches (being at Port Soif felt like we were on a foreign holiday) and what really stuck out was how few people were on them, despite the beautiful weather. I was used to south-coast beaches in the UK, like Brighton, and on a sunny day you could put your arm out and touch the people next to you!
Since moving to Guernsey, we take every opportunity to spend time at the beach (though I am only just getting my head around how important the wind direction is for beach choice) and I have on so many occasions turned up at the beach ill-prepared. By this, I mean I have swim stuff but nothing else, and with girls who are big sandcastle building fans, I make a mental note to put our various buckets and spades in the car, but for some reason it never happens. This got me thinking that maybe something could be done to make it easier for less organised parents like me who keep buying plastic beach toys despite having lots at home.
Introducing Beach Toy Borrow Boxes
Fast forward a few years, and it actually happened, Beach Toy Borrow Boxes were launched last year, and they are back in situ, ready for half term. I was so pleased that the States of Guernsey got onboard with the idea of providing beach toys that could be borrowed by families whilst on the beach. Not only is this great for locals but for families visiting Guernsey on holiday, it’s one less thing to bring or purchase and leave behind and it helps in the fight against plastic.
The well-crafted colourful boxes were made in the shape of the bow of a boat and it may surprise you to learn that they were built by prisoners at Guernsey Prison.
Guernsey Prison involvement
The States of Guernsey saw the opportunity to make this a community project and contacted Guernsey Prison to see if they would like to be involved, and they did. They got quickly onboard and I couldn’t believe the quality of the 2 boxes they made. John De Carteret, Governor of Guernsey Prison said the following:
“Guernsey Prison was delighted to be involved in such a unique and exciting project which will clearly benefit the community. I am enormously proud of the effort that the staff and especially the prisoners put in to deliver such quality work that will be enjoyed by a large number of children for what I hope to be years to come. This type of project is a good example of how the prison tries to provide vocational skills and experience for prisoners in order for them to take a positive role in the community upon release”.
Honesty
The whole idea revolves around honesty and people returning the toys they have borrowed when they finish with them. We were hopeful that people would return the toys and we were blown away with how many toys ended up in the boxes! So much so that I have had to save the toys to be put in future boxes.
Locations
The Beach Toy Borrow Boxes have returned to Cobo Beach, next to Mim’s Kiosk and also at L’Ancresse Beach, next to L’Ancresse Kiosk. Big thanks go out to Mim and Deirdre for looking after the boxes again this year.
The beach toys
Shelley at Keyprice very kindly supplied the beach toys for the initial launch of the boxes. For each box Keyprice donated 6 buckets, 6 spades, 3 frisbees, 2 Hippo Sand Diggers and 3 extendable fishing nets and all the toys are still in the boxes with even more toys added! I couldn’t believe how much stock they have in Keyprice, so we were spoilt for choice when it came to choosing what to include.
Have fun this summer on the beach!
The Beach Toy Borrow Boxes are in place now, so keep a look out for them when you’re at Cobo and L’Ancresse and please enjoy what’s inside, just make sure to return it afterwards.
