To mark this year’s National Marine Week (27 July – 11 August) and celebrate the great diversity of marine wildlife found across our ports, ABP organised a colouring competition open to the children of colleagues in its Wales and Short Sea Ports region.
The competition, which was judged by ABP’s Compliance team and the Port of Barrow Harbour Master, Richard Spenceley, proved very popular. In recognition of their efforts, all children who entered the competition received ABP goody bags.
Commenting on the competition, Richard Spenceley, ABP’s Port of Barrow Harbour Master and Pilot, said: “I was very honoured to be chosen to judge the competition. It was difficult picking a winner as the standard of submissions was so high.
“It took a while to decide and I felt that they were very well presented and showed initiative in their art, highlighting environmental issues we face in our seas around the UK and the world.”
First prize, which was a dolphin plush soft toy and marine sticker set was scooped by eight-year-old Erin Hay from Ipswich. This was closely followed by ten-year-old Ellie Groom from King’s Lynn, who came second, winning a marine splash pool and figure set and eight-year-old Lucie Nelson from Wales who won a chocolate hamper, coming third.
Andrew Harston, Regional Director, Wales & Short Sea Ports, said: “I would like to congratulate the winners and all participants in this year’s competition. It was fantastic to get many entries from so many locations, supporting the level of awareness around the state of our rivers and seas which has received so much recent publicity from David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg. This effort by the children of our employees was a really positive contribution to National Marine Week 2019.”
Another member of the ABP Compliance team, who helped organise the competition, Lindsey Cockburn, Compliance Assistant in Barrow and Silloth, added: “Both Gavin Gregson, the Compliance Assistant in Fleetwood and Garston and I have been delighted to lead this campaign on behalf of the Wales and SSP Compliance Team. It has been so well received across the region and supported by so many of our colleagues and their children, grandchildren and even nieces & nephews.
“A huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in engaging our next generation in such an important topic as the marine environment.”
