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The glorious weather last weekend sent people flocking in their thousands to Guernsey's west coast, with a free gig enticing them to Cobo Bay in particular - but many people left rubbish in their wake long after they had gone home.
Despite the efforts of the Cobo Bay Hotel owners and staff, volunteers still found litter to pick up on Monday morning with other people complaining about litter in St Peter Port the day after the Liberation Day festivities in town.
With regards the rubbish left behind last weekend, complaints were made on Facebook regarding "piles of rubbish" left around public bins in the area as well as rubbish found on the beach in front of the Cobo Bay Hotel and the Rockmout, but enquiries made by Express found that the hotel owners have detailed plans in place for dealing with rubbish left behind after its popular balcony gigs.
David Nussbaumer, who owns the Cobo Bay Hotel said his staff made every effort to clear any litter left behind after the gig including asking the regular compere, Carl Ward, to regularly ask those present, including those on the beach, "to keep our beautiful Cobo tidy!"
"We were disgusted with the amount of rubbish left on the beach on Sunday evening and especially with the total lack of respect shown to the environment" he said, adding "what a shame that the huge success of the day has been over-shadowed by a minority of inconsiderate people, whom we have no control over whatsoever."
Mr Nussbaumer describes his wife Julie as a "strong environmentalist" and said she was on duty all day during last Sunday's balcony gig. In a statement the couple explained to Express how they have an agreement with Island Waste for the balcony gigs, with the waste company supplying two 660L bins for the road, plus at least six 240L bins which are put out as well. At 19:30 following a balcony gig, Island Waste uses a road sweeper to cover the entire coast road area which is closed for the duration of the gig.
Mrs Nussbaumer said "we used to clear the road by hand, but it has become increasingly worse, leading to a road sweeper being required. People bring in their own food and drink then leave it all in the road for us to clear.
"The cost of disposal of this rubbish is split between ourselves (Cobo Bay Hotel) and The Rockmount, whether it eminates from purchases from our premises or not."
Mrs Nussbaumer added that she often clears litter herself by hand to try and prevent it damaging the environment. "I usually do a sweep of the beach myself after a balcony gig, collecting any plastic glasses which come from our bars, plus whatever other rubbish I come across.
"At around 19:30 on Sunday, I looked over the seawall and saw that there were still many people on the beach, some in large groups, probably 100 people plus, just in front of Cobo Bay Hotel. Therefore I felt it was a waste of time to do a sweep. I also check the next door neighbours front gardens to ensure they are not inconvenienced. However, there is a limit as to what we are responsible for."
A maintenance man employed by the Cobo Bay Hotel swept the front area of the hotel by 08:00 on Monday 7 May; the day after the gig, with Mr and Mrs Nussbaumer saying they always do another check of the road, pavement and the drain holes in the wall.
However, this week - at around 08:15 on the Bank Holiday Morning morning - Mrs Nussbaumer said she saw the two ladies who had already collected a large amount of rubbish from the bay. She said "I thanked them, and explained that our maintenance man was just about to check the beach as well. They asked me to sweep up the glass from the supporting wall of the seawall, which did not relate to us as we do not serve bottles or use glasses at the gigs, which we did. I also asked him to clear at least six plastic bags full of rubbish which were at the bottom of the beach steps, again a lot of it having nothing to go with our sales."
Mr and Mrs Nussbaumer said they are not sure how much more they can do to ensure the area is left clear after so many people use it to socialise during times of good weather. Mrs Nussbaumer said "there is a responsibility of the public to take their rubbish home with them, or dispose of it in the bins supplied.
"We were lucky on Sunday that the tide did not come up too high so that rubbish did not end up in the sea, endangering marine life, something which I am passionate about, and then floating back in on Monday when the beach would have been busy once again."
The couple added that the States of Guernsey used to supply a bin at the top of the steps outside the Rockmount, but explained that it is no longer placed there. Their statement continued "when the forecast is for a good Bank Holiday weekend, especially when they know a balcony gig is on, surely they should have some forethought and put out some 660L or 1100L bins instead of 240L bins in the car parks either end of the beach which fill up too quickly, leaving an unsightly amount of rubbish to the side of them which is then strewn around the area by seagulls?"
The statement issued by Mr and Mrs Nussbaumer also refuted claims some rubbish was thrown over the sea wall by people attending the balcony gig. Mrs Nussbaumer said "I doubt this is the case – it isn’t that type of crowd. I genuinely believe that plastic cups and possibly cans which people bring in are knocked off the wall by accident. Due to the height of the wall, I am sure if they fell on someone, they could hurt but I don’t think this is done maliciously. But I could be wrong!"
In summary the couple said "we kindly ask people to use the bins provided at all times, not just at balcony gigs. It is in everyone’s best interests to keep our environment clean for the enjoyment of all, locals and visitors alike.”
Pictured: File image of Cobo Bay (Summer 2017)
Meanwhile, there were similar complaints about rubbish left behind after the Liberaton Day festivities in St Peter Port where bins were reported to have been "over flowing by lunchtime."
States Works had drafted in extra staff to help with the clear up operation after the revellers had all gone home for the night - with a spokesman saying they "received messages of thanks from both the Liberation Day organisers and St Peter Port Constables following the overnight clear-up."
From 04:00 street-cleaning staff were clearing the piers and sea front as well as the normal daily cleaning of the main areas around Smith Street and the High Street.
States Works General Manager Paul Lickley said he was very surprised but disappointed by reports that some areas of town were left in an unsightly state.
“The main area was cleaned by early this morning (10 May), conscious that there were cruise ships in today and Town should be looking at its best " he said. "The focus of the Liberation Day activity was around the seafront and the piers, so those were the priority overnight and we have received messages this morning thanking our staff for doing a great job.
“The main shopping streets of Smith Street, High Street, Commercial Arcade, and the Pollet will also have been cleaned as normal in the early hours, after which the teams will have continued working outwards into areas such as Hauteville, and Vauvert."
Following on from comments made by Mr and Mrs Nussbaumer regarding litter left at Cobo, Mr Lickley also said he was disappointed: “It is disappointing to hear any reports of litter being discarded by a few anti-social individuals. If ever anyone comes across any mess, if they can report it either to States Works or the Constables we can look to get the area cleared as part of the regular cleaning."
He said there were no such reports the morning after Liberation Day and said he wanted to thank the staff for ensuring town looked as good as it could following such a big public event.
“I would add my own thanks to those of the Constables and event organisers in recognising the excellent job that our staff did. As usual this all took place while most islanders were in their beds, and it is only fair that we acknowledge the team’s hard work and dedication.”
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