Home   Herne Bay   News   Article

Stop releasing balloons and lanterns on Herne Bay beaches says campaigner Catherine Francis-Yeats

A conservationist is campaigning to end the release of memorial lanterns and balloons from the seafront after seeing dead seagulls tangled in their remains.

It was made illegal to release the floating objects from Canterbury City Council-owned land three years ago.

But Catherine Francis-Yeats, the organiser of the Bay Beach Clean, says she still sees them strewn along the seaside.

Catherine Francis-Yeats is calling for people to stop releasing balloons and lanterns on the seafront
Catherine Francis-Yeats is calling for people to stop releasing balloons and lanterns on the seafront

The lanterns and balloons are often released to commemorate the lives of loved ones or celebrate birthdays.

But Ms Francis Yeats warns the plastic from them can strangle or constrain birds and harm other marine life.

She said: “Over the two years or so we’ve been doing the beach cleans, we’ve found rather a lot of sky lanterns and helium ballons.

“It’s quite distressing because they do a lot of damage. We’ve even seen lumps of feathers caught in balloons in the past.

“Lanterns also kill birds and if they blow inland they can harm horses and sheep. They can get tangled up in their stomachs if they eat them or cause bleeding.”

Ms Francis-Yeats says she is hoping to find an eco-friendly replacement.

She said: “We’d like to work on finding bio-degradable alternatives so we didn’t have to let off balloons and harm wildlife.

“Even though it’s illegal we still see it happening, which is heartbreaking.”

Lanterns like these have been on council land since 2016
Lanterns like these have been on council land since 2016

Ms Francis-Yeats says cotton buds and plastic tampon cases, which have been flushed down toilets, also often wash up on the town’s beaches.

Local authority spokesman Rob Davies says lighting candles, blowing bubbles, a minute’s applause, planting trees or using environmentally friendly balloons should instead be used for celebrations.

“Animal welfare campaigners, farmers and the volunteers who clean local beaches are all worried about the dangers posed by the mass release of helium balloons or Chinese lanterns,” he added.

“That is why events of this kind have been banned on land owned by Canterbury City Council and at the events it operates since September 2016.

“Animals can suffer particularly horrific deaths if they eat lantern or balloon parts.

“And once the helium escapes or the flames have gone out, balloons and lanterns quickly turn into litter which can spoil places like the beach or countryside.”

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More