Flete Estate

23/05/2025

Peaceful morning at Mothecombe beach


☀️

14/05/2025

The Wisteria is in full bloom & looking beautiful at Mothecombe Garden Cottage 😍

09/05/2025

09/05/2025

22/04/2025

You are hopefully aware that, after a successful campaign by the Wild About the Erme River group (WATER) in 2023/2024, Coastguards Beach was officially designated a Bathing Water beach by the Environment Agency, in line with the bathing water at Mothecombe Beach. This designation requires the EA to test the water quality at the beach once a week during the bathing season (15th may to 30th September), testing for water quality indicators such as E.coli and intestinal enterococci. At the end of the season, the test results are reviewed and a classification for the beach is given.

Mothecombe Beach received another Good Classification. However, Coastguards received a Poor Classification along with 36 other bathing waters in England. We have also had no advice that would indicate that it is not safe for dogs either. This means that the water quality has not met the minimum standard and the EA advise against bathing. The Estate will be displaying signs at the beach to notify the public of this result. The EA will continue to test the water during the 2025 bathing water season and the beach will be re-classified in 2026 depending on the results.

More information on the bathing water and classification can be found here: https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/profile.html?site=ukk4305-26050

The testing results, which can be seen from the link above, show that while the water is deemed safe for bathing for the majority of the season, there were a number of days when this was not the case. These most likely fall during and shortly after high rainfall events.

This result means that a much greater scrutiny will be placed on the Erme catchment and any likely sources of pollution to ensure that breaches are rectified, and the bathing water is brought back up to an acceptable standard at Coastguards Beach. The Estate is working in collaboration with the WATER group and closely with the Environment Agency to identify and tackle these sources of pollution which include South West Water assets and combined sewer overflows throughout the catchment as well as agricultural run-off and contamination of water courses.

To follow the work of the WATER group please visit: https://ermeriver.org/ and to be kept up to date with progress you can join the mailing list: https://ermeriver.us21.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=47045bbf897fad41cd4f009fa&id=ca6dd386fd

While this result is very unwelcome, please take encouragement that we are tackling this head on in a catchment based approach in order to protect and enhance this unique and beautiful place.

For up to date advice on daily bathing water quality visit the Environment Agency Swimfo link below
https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/

10/04/2025

The team has thoughtfully designed, selected, and planted a very special memorial plaque in honour of Donald and Michael, who are sadly no longer with us. Their absence has left a big hole in our hearts, and this tribute is a heartfelt reminder of the lasting impact they had on us all and all their hard work for the estate for many years.

They chose a Bob Bunkers tree, as this has been chosen by a previous Flete employer. If your passing the Estate office please feel free to come and have a look and read the beautiful poem too.

‘The Hare gazed up lovingly at the full moon
and heard someone whistle a wise, ancient tune-
of a time when true love was as real as the sky
and when poor, earthbound fools like we mortals could fly.
The song told of laughter and pleasure, and pain-
of the warmth of the sun and the sting of the rain…
For the dark and the light go together, it’s true,
like the sweet dark and light in the spirit of you

07/04/2025

Devon County Council are now back at Mothecombe Beach to complete the works. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding. We just wanted to make sure you are all aware ☺️

02/04/2025

This weather lately… felt like a summers evening at Mothecombe Beach this week ☀️