OUTRAGE AS SEA CLEAN CLASHES WITH WRITING FESTIVAL DATES

1st April 2025

Writers left high and dry as Bournemouth’s seawater to be removed for maintenance.

Hundreds of writers hoping to find inspiration in Bournemouth’s stunning seascape during the Bournemouth Writing Festival will instead be greeted by an empty seabed, as the annual seawater clean has been rescheduled to take place over the festival weekend.

The deep-clean operation will see Bournemouth’s seawater removed and transported to Jøke for essential maintenance, leaving behind a temporarily dry stretch of sand where waves should be gently lapping at the shore. The shocking news has left festival organisers reeling.

Festival Director Dominic Wong expressed his dismay, saying:"We fully support efforts to keep our coastline pristine and maintain our Blue Flag status, but we were rather hoping the sea might actually be in attendance for the occasion. 50% of attendees live outside of the area and will be travelling to our coast to be inspired by Bournemouth’s breathtaking views, as had many famous writers before them. Now, instead of gazing wistfully at the waves, they’ll be contemplating an empty seabed.”

The Norwegian company undertaking the clean, Pilaf Lø Or, has attempted to reassure festivalgoers. A spokesperson stated:"We understand festival attendees may be disappointed, but rest assured, they can still take a refreshing dip—just half a mile in either direction, where the sea will remain in place whilst we remove and clean the water around Bournemouth Pier. Seawater cleaning is essential for safe swimming, and our experts in Jøke will take care of the water, returning it as quickly as possible.  Alternatively, we encourage writers to embrace the moment and let the temporarily exposed seabed inspire new stories… or at the very least, an especially tall tale."

As festivalgoers prepare to descend on Bournemouth for a weekend of 100 free and ticketed talks, workshops, poetry and networking, one thing is certain—this year’s festival will be making waves, even if the sea itself won’t be.

ENDS

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