FAMILIES got to enjoy a day out and learn about important coastal-based topics during a special educational week.

More than 150 children, parents, grandparents and carers from Home-Start Harwich joined Harwich Haven Authority’s Beach School initiative to learn more about their environment.

Working with a beach-school trained primary school teacher, the authority provided three days of free activities that included learning more about the vessels that arrive at Haven Ports every day.

A Harwich Haven Authority spokeswoman said: “Our organisational vision is very much focused on the environment, community and employment so our beach schools are very much aligned to these three pillars of our strategy.

“Harwich Home Start provides a vital service to the town that is used by many hundreds of families and we were delighted to fund and deliver this initiative.”

During the event children had the opportunity to build and navigate cardboard vessels through the deep water channel that leads into Harwich Harbour.

Many of the beach school activities were linked to the environment and family members looked at and discussed microplastics, sustainability, invasive species, marine habitats and ocean waste.

The topics were delivered in a fun and engaging way by environmentalist and teacher Libby Scarfe who runs the Dovercourt-based initiative Seaside Explorers.

In support of the national Holiday Hunger Scheme the authority also provided all family members with a hot pizza lunch followed by ice lollies.

Wendy Taylor, manager at Home Start Harwich praised the Harwich Haven Authority for the scheme.

She said: “Beach school began last summer when Harwich Haven Authority were kind enough to fund one session for us with Libby Scarfe.

“It was very successful and this year we had sessions over three days in which the authority learned more about what Home Start does and were keen to help.

“Our referral rate has tripled in the last 18 months, so many families need help and we are very grateful for the support.”