Hi everyone
Expedition preparations well under way now.  Super surprised to find another crew member living in the same town as myself - we met up today.  She lectures in environmental history, and having previously researched asbestos is now researching plastic.  We'll be contacting the local paper and radio station together etc.  Great to have someone to meet up with.

Other news:-
This blog is to be used on the Marine Conservation Society UK website - wow
I've raised about one thousand four hundred and seventy pounds so far - next target two thousand.
An art gallery in Aran is to display my photos of waste plastic art - I've sold well over 50 cards now.

My crowdfunder site is still open if you'd like to support me
www.gofundme.com/plasticseas

Plastic Sundial

Hi everyone

Time is racing on - for the start of the Exxpedition and for taking action.

I've - belatedly maybe - discovered the term 'Citizen Science'.  As the name suggests it's when citizens take science into their own hands, often under the umbrella of a scientific organisation, however, more and more citizens are seeing the need to engage in the scientific research that isn't being funded elsewhere.  Sea Plastic is a notable example.  There are now several independent expeditions doing research.

Expedition UK 2017 is the first scientific exploration of the British coastal waters and it is being completely funded by citizens such as myself - because we see the need and the urgency.  As well as  doing the science we will also be doing outreach to various communities at the ports where we are stopping - Plymouth, Cardiff, Belfast, Arran, Stornoway, Edinburgh and London.  (If you'd like to participate in any of these do get in touch).  We will be doing lots of art with plastic that is collected.  This expedition really brings in all my skills, as a research scientist and waste plastic art teacher.

Amazingly I already have over a thousand pounds raised, however, I've still got a long way to go find the full funding to finance myself to do this work - if you can donate a few pounds or more that would be awesome.  Go to my gofundme site or make a direct donation which means I get all of it.  I'm also selling cards and waste plastic earrings.

Thank you

www.gofundme.com/plasticseas

Dutch Paddle Steamer

Hi everyone.  The crew is starting to come together, preparing workshops and other activities at the ports we are stopping off at: Plymouth, Cardiff, Belfast, Arran, Stornaway, Edinburgh, London and back to Plymouth.  If you live in any of these places and would like to be part of the activities do get in touch.
Remarkably I have discovered that one of the crew lives in Macclesfield too, we'll be meeting soon.
Sales of my plastic bottle crafts and photo cards are doing well. Get in touch if you'd like any.
I also have a raffle going, two pounds a go, cash prize for winner.

It was my 60th birthday on the 11th and I received this stunning card from a new friend called Gracie and her family.  I know they read this blog and will be delighted to see their card.

I was at Woolacombe beach today, North Devon.  3 miles of stunning gently sloping sandy beach; the perfect family beach holiday location.  Indeed from a distance it looks stunning, and even clean, no large bits of plastic littered about.  However, walk down onto the beach and the tidelines are trails of micro plastic, the top half of the beach is covered with it - like some sort of weird beach mosaic.  I wanted to cry seeing some children happily playing in the sunshine, barefooted, with buckets and spades right near a huge area of colored debris.

My Facebook feed is full of items on micro plastic, probably because I'm posting so much, however it's obviously a top environmental topic right now.  I'm a great believer in Zeitgeist and I seem to have become part of one now.  It feels great to get my teeth into something so meaningful, just wish it wasn't necessary.

www.gofundme.com/plasticseas  my fundraising page

CELEBRATION

My fundraising page has reached 10%

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far.

Next target £1,000

www.gofundme.com/plasticseas

💝💝

Plastic bottles, one of the worst culprits of disposable plastic, easily re-cycled but often found littering our streets and beaches.  This photo is from a building I made while doing my art degree.  I used about 2000 plastic bottles collected from the college's waste bins - there were no facilities for bottle recycling; I called it 'A Folly'.