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A much-loved beach on Anglesey has been returned to its glory days after becoming overrun by a “dreadful” invasive weed. The small patch of weed-infested sand by Beaumaris Pier was considered unsightly in an attractive seaside town popular with visitors.
For years, attempts by locals to hand-pull the knee-high weed had been a losing battle, leaving the shoreline dubbed the “Little Beach of Horrors”. Though small, it was seen as the town’s only family-friendy beach and its demise was labelled an “absolute disgrace”.
Beaumaris residents identified the weed as either a salt-tolerant halophyte or a sand-loving psammophyte. Like bindweed, both are highly invasive, capable of surviving long periods without water.
Once established, they are difficult to eradicate as the plants will re-emerge if the smallest piece is left in the ground. The local theory is that fragments washed up at high tide.
Located opposite The Bulkeley Hotel, the Little Beach was once regularly replenished with sand to cater both for residents and tourists.
Last year, after lobbying by local people, Anglesey Council sent in mechanical diggers to clear the beach for the summer holidays. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
However, the weeds soon returned and by this summer they were as bad as ever. Cllr Gary Pritchard, who represents the Seiriol ward at Anglesey Council, was asked to intervene by a constituent.
“The beach is popular in the town but in recent years it had become unsightly and was looking more like a village green,” said Cllr Pritchard.
“I approached Anglesey Council and the local authority arranged for it to be cleared again in time for the school holidays.
“Hopefully, a maintenance plan can now be put in place to ensure we don’t find ourselves in the same position next year.”
An estimated five tonnes of weed were dug out from the beach. Residents are still pushing for a long-term solution to prevent annual re-emergence and to stop it spreading along the town’s entire foreshore.
Not everyone wanted the weed-covered beach cleared, prefering its contribution to local biodiversity. But many are delighted to see it looking something like its halcyon period in the mid to late 20th century.
“Looks absolutely beautiful,” sighed one woman online. “I do miss the place.” Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter – sent every Friday
Another is looking forward to seeing buckets and spades back on the beach. A third added wistfully: “It looks like it did when we were growing up.”
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