The Abramsons – Nuala, 11, Pip, 9, and Tilly, 6, make the most of the fresh breeze at Vazon yesterday. (0800534)
GUERNSEY beaches have been highlighted as some of the best in the country by two national newspapers.
Vazon was 28th in The Independent’s list of top beaches, while Petit Bot placed 36th in The Times’s list on Saturday.
The Times reviewer was impressed by Petit Bot’s isolated and peaceful setting. The Independent reviewer liked Vazon’s expansive sands, although he was concerned about raw sewage being pumped into the sea off Guernsey.
Director of marketing and tourism Chris Elliott was pleased with the exposure.
‘I was delighted that Guernsey’s beautiful scenery has been highlighted once again in the national press. This, combined with the current perfect beach weather, can only be great for tourism.’
He declined to comment on the water quality issues the story had raised.
Beachgoers at Vazon yesterday were not surprised by the high ranking.
The Abramson family from Scotland are here for two weeks. ‘It is great for the wind and the kite,’ said mum Alex Abramson, 47. ‘It is very lovely.’
She also said there was plenty for her three children, Tilly, 6, Pip, 9, and Nuala, 11, to do.
Exeter English student Chris Martel, 20, said it was great for surfing.
‘I am always telling my friends how great the beaches are,’ he said.
‘The surf is always really good.’
On Petit Bot, families were enjoying the cove’s charms.
Karen Coleman, 45, was there with her mother, Edna Mulroue, on a weekend break from Eastbourne.
She said the beach deserved to be recognised.
‘We think it is one of the best beaches in Britain as well,’ she said.
‘It’s lovely and beautiful – just fantastic.’
The Archer family have been coming to Guernsey for 10 years, but yesterday’s was their first visit to Petit Bot.
Mum Tania, 43, said they loved the south coast beach, which had plenty of space for sons Tom, 3, and Nicolas, 11 months.
‘It’s a lovely place, with easy access. It’s nice and sheltered and really good for us.’
Owner of Las Tapitas and Petit Bot tearooms Joao Gouveia said that being hidden away was part of the bay’s charm.
‘We do get a lot of people, but it is often either local families or walkers,’ he said. ‘It can take people a long time to find it. I hope this report will help bring more people here.’
Jersey’s Bouley Bay was number 18 in the Independent list, but no other Channel Island beaches featured in The Times.
Article posted on 7th July, 2009 - 1.00pm
3 Article Comments
What a surprise that the marketing man didn’t want to comment on raw sewage being pumped into the sea.
I bought the Independent on Saturday and my opinion of Vazon was anything but good having read the full review.
Any review that mentions raw sewage going straight into the sea is hardly going to be seen in a positive light is it? I can just imagine the conversation; “Shall we go to Guernsey this summer darling, that Vazon beach looks beautiful, the vast expanse of sand etc etc”. “Looks good to me darling, oh hang on a minute, they still pump raw sewage into the sea there, and I thought they were supposed to be an affluent island, not an effluent one!!”. “Point taken darling, let’s look elsewhere then!”
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I agree with Phil, the pumping of raw sewage out into the sea just can’t keep going on. Guernsey needs a 21st centuary solution to the problem, why not follow Jersey’s example. I visit the island regularly and I have thought twice about swimming especially after that sewage pipe burst the other year!
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Is this really still going on. This is more then appalling that this is legal. How is the reputation of the beaches in britain supposed to increase if this is going on. Luckily I have never come across this while being in England. I did see this back in Germany when I was 8 and it was 1984, if this says something.
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