I have had some report of rubbish, particularly polystyrene, finding its way in Widewater Lagoon and causing immense discomfort and harm to the swans and cygnets that frequent the Lagoon. I contacted Lancing Parish Council on this issue and they assured me that there is a Management Plan in place and by a Steering Committee made up of representatives from Lancing Parish Council, West Sussex County Council (Park Ranger), Shoreham and District Ornithological Society, and the local residents' conservation group, World of Widewater (WoW) is responsible for the site.
WoW oversee the general management of the site on behalf of the Parish Council and are very active in their role, including circulating newsletters to local residents. You can see their website here. They were recently successful in obtaining grant funding to complete a trail of information panels, which the Parish Council also contributed towards.
WoW also arrange volunteer litter picking days with some members taking to a canoe to remove as much debris from the lagoon area as they can, but will also remove rubbish when they notice it and let the Parish Council know when there are larger items so that it can be arranged for the groundsmen to take it away. The litter bins in and around the car park areas are emptied by Adur District Council.
One member of WoW, Mrs Jo Procter, is very protective towards the swans and has a good knowledge of them as she is a regular volunteer at a swan sanctuary. Please email Jo if you have any concerns regarding their welfare - joproctor@hotmail.co.uk.
WoW is celebrating its 21st birthday this year and the Parish Council will be working with the group to help celebrate this milestone and to raise more awareness of the lagoon with a planned event on Saturday, 21 April 2018 between 2-4pm. More details will be advertised nearer the time.
Let's all work together to make sure that our beautiful environment and wildlife isn't damaged by littering.