Wicked Witches of North Berwick

15/01/2022

Five in a Row need you! 🙌 after 4.5 weeks unassisted rowing across the Atlantic, these 5 Scots from North Berwick and Perthshire are reaching the last leg of their epic 3000 mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

Today, In support of this incredible challenge, North Berwick Rowing Club are asking for anyone around North Berwick today to come and cheer them on. They started an on land row relay at 8am and will row until 8pm at St Andrews Blackadder Church (on the green). They wanted to support their club mates and raise awareness Reverse Rett.

If you can, please donate to Five in a Row’s chosen charity
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ross-mckinney6🙌

You can follow Five in a Row as they race for second place - go here https://m.facebook.com/five.row/ or .row or check out their website www.fiveinarow.co.uk

19/12/2021

Lovely festive atmosphere at the North Berwick Beach Santa Run this morning for www.movementontheground.com

We loved watching and cheering on all the kids and adults taking part. Any excuse to dressed up and paddle for good causes 👏

Santa 🤶🏼 and her 🦌 🦌

18/12/2021

We are joining the North Berwick Beach Santa Run
this Sunday 19 December with a festive Christmas paddle. If you would like to come cheer on the runners while paddle boarding with us or having a swim we would love for you to join us in some festive flare. Regardless of the low tide and a bit of rock dodging (not ideal) we will be pumping up boards from 9am so we can be in the water for 9.20 before the kids set off on the Santa run at 9.30. Adults set off at 10.

The North Berwick Santa Beach Run is hosted by East Lothian Triathlon but is being organised by Saartje Drijver and Cath Brookes. All proceeds will go towards Movement On The Ground. An organisation that transforms refugee hotspots towards safe, healing, enabling and dignified environments from within. Please go to their website to learn more www.movementontheground.com.

For more on the Santa run go to https://m.facebook.com/North-Berwick-Santa-Beach-Run-100360342432397

(Pics by Derek Selmes)

05/12/2021

Christmas is a wonderful time but for many struggling this isn’t the case. Today was the start of the Smith’s Christmas Cheer. They are generously giving up their time and going the extra mile to bring a smile to the local community while raising funds so that the North Berwick Community Centre can bring Christmas to families who need it (this includes families across the coastal area - North Berwick and surrounding villages).

If the Smiths (Billie Smith) have made you smile or you would like to help local families please donate what you can.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-smiths-candy-christmas-cheer?member=14992615&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Hi - our little family of four is going to be raising funds for the North Berwick comm… David Smith needs your support for The Smith's - Candy Christmas Cheer

05/11/2021

We are delighted that our scene raised £800.88 (£255.88 bucket donations and £545 online) for the RNLI North Berwick. Thank you for all your donations.

Our local RNLI service is run by volunteers, relying on donations and money raised via the shop. All money raised helps save lives at sea.

You can support our local RNLI further by shopping for gifts, cards, books, puzzles, homewares and more at the online shop https://shop.rnli.org or check the opening times and pop into the shop rn by volunteers).

We have loved putting a smile on everyone’s faces and raising funds (£ 1867.78 total funds raised).

04/11/2021

We are delighted to announce that our scene raised a whopping £1066.90 (£306 bucket donations and £760.90 online) for Flora’s treatment. (RNLI fundraiser to be announced tomorrow).

Flora’s fundraising page will remain open so please do donate if you can. There are other ways you can help raise funds for Flora as shown in this helpful image below.

The Wicked Witches want to thank you to everyone for their generosity and support. Sending lots of best wishes to Flora and her family and we look forward to taking Flora out on the paddle board next year.

https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/Appeal/flora

01/11/2021

For any publicity or promotion please credit for the images and highlight our 2021 charities and fundraising links.

Thank you for the generosity shown on the beach on Saturday. Flora’s family and the RNLI volunteers were blown away by your kindness. The Wicked Witches, RNLI and Flora’s family would also like to say a huge thank you for the online donations and for the lovely messages from those following ours SpooktacularNB scene via the live footage (thanks to Rebecca Rennie for pushing the fundraising and footage on the beach). Huge thank you to our little litter picker beach clean team, you were awesome. And well done Margaret (aka Peppa Pig 🐷) for dipping solo, you were amazing.

If we have put a smile on your faces please please donate. We will share finally total on Friday 5th 🎆

PLEASE DONATE BY COPYING AND PASTING THE LINKS INTO A NEW WEB BROWSER TO AVOID SITE CRASHING. Please use the hashtag or

RNLI North Berwick https://gofund.me/37363ad1

Flora’s fight against Neuroblastoma https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/Appeal/flora

PRIZES:
Most spectacular fall in the sea goes to Bethan Waters. And best fancy dressed adult on the beach went to the RNLI in their dry suits - gifts were kindly donated by Billie from The Green Clean Lady

Margaret (Flora’s granny) kindly treated the kids with sweets and gifts for fancy dress, beach clean helpers and those supporting the paddle.

30/10/2021

30/10/2021

30/10/2021

Our scene is here. The Wicked Witches aim to be in the water by 1pm. Weather permitting PLAN A is to paddle board but we have a PLAN B to bodyboard. We are monitoring the conditions, in particular the wind and swell. The rain never bothered us anyway ☔️. We are looking forward seeing those coming to watch and those taking part. If you are joining us in the sea be aware that the sea is much colder now. Please also assess the conditions and your own ability. Keep yourself and family safe.

If we make you smile please donate to these important causes. RNLI volunteers and Flora’s family will have donation buckets on the beach or donate via these links…

https://gofund.me/37363ad1

https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/Appeal/flora (please copy the link and paste in new website browser if it crashes via Facebook)

The RNLI station will also be open afterwards if you fancy taking the kids along to chat to the volunteers.

See you on West Beach for some spooktacular fun 🧙🏼‍♀️

29/10/2021

https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/19678869.witches-take-dip-north-berwick-help-young-cancer-patient-flora/

‘WITCHES’ will take a dip at a North Berwick beach to raise money for the town’s lifeboat station and an Aberlady toddler receiving treatment…

29/10/2021

29/10/2021

Please donate what you can to help Flora’s fight against Neuroblastoma. We are delighted Flora’s granny Margaret is able to join us for this scene and I hope we can show our support and best wishes for Flora’s journey through any donations we can make.

Donation buckets on the beach - Flora’s granny will have fundraising buckets on the beach this Saturday if you wish to donate in person or donate online at

https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/Appeal/flora

Flora’s mum wanted to share a bit about Flora “Flora is our happy, cheeky little beach babe! If we aren’t playing in the waves at the beach, you’ll likely find Flora at the park hanging upside down, flying down the slide or running around! She’s always on the move, even during her treatment! Her favourite thing to do at hospital is walking around the ward, peeking in everyone’s rooms and keeping the nurses entertained. She is a huge Peppa Pig fan, and loves watching Peppa on her tablet when she’s going through treatment. For her third birthday, she received a recorded birthday message from Peppa pig herself, which was definitely her favourite present!

Flora has faced more challenges in her short 3 years than many other children her age. In January of this year she was diagnosed with Autism, and by April she was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Her treatment is aggressive and often painful, and it’s incredibly difficult having to witness your child endure cancer treatment. We are so very proud of Flora and how she has coped with everything thrown her way. She never fails to make us smile or laugh, and gives the best cuddles! We hope that you will join us in raising money for Flora’s treatment, and bringing awareness to childhood cancer”.

https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/Appeal/flora

28/10/2021

PRIZES FOR BEST SPOOKTACULAR COSTUMES - We will be giving a prize for best adult fancy dress judged by resident spooktacular photographer . Thank you for the amazing prize. Best kids fancy dress will be judged by Flora’s granny, Margaret Kent and our beach clean kids team (Anna & Jake Fraser, Farah Selmes and Anna Papakyriakou) thank you Margaret for providing the kids prize.

ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS WITCHES - Not only are we passionate about raising funds and staying safe in the water but the Wicked Witches of North Berwick are also passionate about protecting the beautiful coastline where we live.

KEEPING OUR BEACH AND SEA PLASTIC FREE - We welcome adults and children alike to get dressed up while encouraging everyone to reduce the impact of plastic, should any fall onto the beach from costumes. Using what costumes you have helps the planet too. You might find a pre-loved costume (check out Buy Nothing North Berwick, on Facebook) or make something yourself. The main thing we ask… please make sure nothing is left behind that could wash out to sea and affect our wildlife.

KIDS BEACH CLEAN TEAM - The team’s kids will lead a mini beach clean around the anchor on Saturday so please bring a few clothes pegs in your pockets for your kids to get involved.

Those joining our paddle, please collect any rubbish or plastic floating in the sea. We will give a prize for the most spooktacular fall off the paddle board so don’t shy away from that floating plastic.

Ruth, “Why being environmentally conscious is important to me…

I fell in love with paddle boarding right away. Well, not quite right away, the main fin was missing from the first paddle board I tried, so it was like trying to steer a wonky shopping trolley! Since then it’s been plain, and sometimes slightly choppy, sailing. Standing so close to the water, propelling through beautiful scenery is wonderfully relaxing. I want to do my bit to protect it!

As a zoologist with a background in environmental education, I’m passionate about the small steps we can take to reduce the impact humans have on the natural world. What drew me to give paddle boarding a try was seeing a lady on TV, paddle boarding while collecting litter. I love a beach clean so the idea of being on the water while collecting any plastic floating by, really appealed to me! While it’s so sad seeing plastic floating in the sea I feel I’m making a difference by collecting the litter I find. Plus, Emma and I have a really good laugh trying not to fall off our paddle boards as we scoop all sorts of rubbish out of the sea during our adventures!

It’s fantastic to get to do something I really enjoy while raising funds for such important causes, and hopefully bring some smiles to people who spot us all this Halloween.”

27/10/2021

The Wicked Witches of North Berwick were in disguise this morning boosting the fundraising drive for the RNLI North Berwick Lifeboat https://gofund.me/339f0364

And for Flora’s Fight Against Neuroblastoma https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/Appeal/flora

Also discussed… how we will incorporate and take small steps to protect our beautiful coastline and ocean as we raise funds for these important causes.

Please donate if you are in a position too 😊

27/10/2021

A spooktacular scene for RNLI North Berwick.

https://gofund.me/339f0364

We are so privileged to live and enjoy such a beautiful place and have this incredible service to keep us safe and informed. It’s important to note that the RNLI North Berwick is part of our community, run by volunteers who live among us. They are not just dedicated to sea rescue but influencing and education also. The RNLI North Berwick couldn’t exist without donations and sales from the RNLI shop.

So we ask, if we make you smile on Saturday, if you enjoy the seaside or indeed ever enter the sea for work or leisure, please donate to show your gratitude and help sustain a service that we all hope we never need to use but so grateful to have.

We would like to ask all those joining Ruth and I in fancy dress for a swim, surf or paddle in the sea on Saturday to donate whatever you can as a sign of thanks and appreciation for our incredible RNLI crew.

https://gofund.me/339f0364

What the RNLI means to us…

Ruth ”It’s the closeness to nature that I enjoy most about paddle boarding. The seabirds flying past, spotting crabs and fish in the deeps and the constant look out for a lucky spot of a seal or dolphin. I feel really thankful that we have a RNLI based here in NB. The courage and personal commitment the local volunteers make is just amazing.”

Emma “I’ve been a water baby my whole life but since moving to North Berwick, the sea has been part of my everyday. Whether thats’s simply taking every opportunity to stare out to sea, body surfing with the kids, sea swimming with friends or paddle boarding with Ruth.

Embracing the enjoyment and adventure that entering the sea brings is incredible but not without its risks. Having been a swimming teacher and lifeguard I’m familiar with the dangers of the water and how to assess risks, however the sea can be so unpredictable and unnerving. It can change so quickly, and be not at all like what the Magic Seaweed App promised, not to mention the added dangers paddle boards bring to the sea when the wind gusts suddenly increase or changes direction.

When we paddle, we try to take every precaution to navigate the risks, so we can fully enjoy our sea bound adventures. Our confidence is hugely influenced by the knowledge that should things go wrong, and we hope we never need to make the call, that the volunteers of the RNLI North Berwick are dedicated to sea rescue right on our doorstep.”

To the volunteers of the RNLI North Berwick, you are wonderful and very much appreciated

25/10/2021

This year we want to help a local family reach their target to give their daughter Flora the best chance and treatment to fight neuroblastoma.

https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/Appeal/flora

Flora is a happy and energetic three year old from East Lothian. After falling unwell in April 2020, Flora’s family received the devastating news that she has stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a rare cancer affecting babies and young children. Despite the gruelling and intensive treatment, Flora’s chance of relapse still remains at almost 50%. Flora’s family are raising money to access clinical trials to give Flora a better chance of staying in remission.

If you can, please support Flora’s campaign and follow her journey by clicking the link and using the reference when you make your donation.

https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/Appeal/flora

Flora and her family have already had a gruelling journey so far but stay focused on each step and milestone Flora makes. Not only are they raising funds for Flora but their efforts are contributing towards better awareness, diagnosis and treatment of neuroblastoma.

We will be joined by Flora’s grandmother on Saturday and hope the pictures of our Spooktacular Scene put a smile on Flora’s face.

In January 2021 Flora was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and just three months later her parents were given the devastating news she had high-risk neuroblastoma.

24/10/2021

🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️

24/10/2021

The Wicked Witches of North Berwick will return to West Beach and recreate a scene on Saturday 30th October at 1pm. Last year we were blow away (quite literally!) by the support and generosity in raising over £2k for Rett Syndrome.

This year, we welcome all for a friendly informal gathering. A play on the beach, a dip, swim or paddle in the sea or follow the fun on Facebook. Adults and children alike, look out your fancy dress and come join us down on the beach.

Our aim is to make our community smile while raising funds and awareness for local causes. This year we are really proud to be fundraising for the RNLI North Berwick Lifeboat and Flora’s Fight Against Neuroblastoma