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Druridge Bay
Druridgedunes2.jpg
Druridge Bay
Druridge Bay is located in Northumberland
Druridge Bay
Druridge Bay
Location in Northumberland
Location Northumberland, England, UK
NZ276984
Coordinates 55°16′44″N 1°34′01″W / 55.279°N 1.56708°W / 55.279; -1.56708

Druridge Bay is a beautiful bay on the North Sea coast in Northumberland, England. It stretches for about 7 miles (11 kilometers) from Amble in the north to Cresswell in the south.

This area is home to the Druridge Bay Country Park. Part of the bay, near the village of Druridge, is looked after by the National Trust. Many coastal parts of the bay are also protected as nature reserves, helping to keep the wildlife safe.

Wartime Defences

During World War II, special defences were built around Druridge Bay. These were part of Britain's plan to stop an invasion. The defences included barriers made of scaffolding and large concrete blocks designed to stop tanks. These were watched over by small, strong buildings called pillboxes.

Behind these defences, there were hidden minefields and a deep ditch to stop tanks. Between the small villages of Druridge and Cresswell, ditches were dug to prevent enemy gliders from landing. There is still a brick building that was used to control fake targets to trick enemy planes.

Plans for a Nuclear Power Station

Save Druridge Bay, Northumberland (1980s) - from the SCRAM archive co Friends of the Earth Scotland
People protesting against a new nuclear power station at the Bay in the 1980s.

In the 1980s, there was a big plan to build a nuclear power station at Druridge Bay. This led to a long campaign by people who did not want it built. There were also plans in the 1990s to dig up large amounts of sand from the area.

The campaign against the power station, along with changes in the UK Government's rules on nuclear power, stopped the project. The plan was cancelled in 1989. The land was later sold to farmers in 1996.

Plans for a Coal Mine

Druridge Bay became a focus for environmental worries again in late 2015. A company called Banks Group wanted to open a large open-cast coal mine. This mine would have covered about 360 hectares (900 acres) right next to the beach. They planned to dig up 3 million tonnes of coal.

Just six weeks after this plan was submitted, the UK government announced that all power stations using coal would close by 2025. Many people objected to the mine, sending over 1800 letters. Northumberland County Council first approved the mine in July 2016. However, the plans were then paused for a government review.

In March 2018, the proposal was officially rejected by the Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid. The company tried to challenge this decision in court. But in September 2020, the plan was rejected again by the Secretary of State.

Wildlife in Druridge Bay

The Northumberland Wildlife Trust bought a former sand extraction site in 2006. This area is now important for wildlife. The shore of Druridge Bay is well-known for its bird populations. You can often see birds like the golden plover and the purple sandpiper here.

Birdwatchers especially remember Druridge Bay for a rare bird sighting in 1998. This bird, known as the Druridge Bay curlew, was thought to be the first slender-billed curlew ever seen in Britain. However, some people still debate if it was truly that rare bird.

Charity Events

Druridge Bay is also a place where a special charity event takes place. The North East Charity Dip started in 2012. It is an annual event that raises money for MIND, a charity that helps people with mental health issues. This event usually happens around late September each year.

Culture and Music

The band The Divine Comedy featured Druridge Bay on their 1994 album, Promenade. The album begins with the sound of waves breaking on the shore at Druridge Bay. This sound was recorded especially for the album by producer Darren Allison.

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