Beloved 'logness monster' swept out to sea by stormy weather

A much-loved piece of driftwood, affectionately known as "Lizzy the Logness Monster," has been carried out to sea following severe weather in the coastal town of Porthcawl, Bridgend County.

Although to some it might appear to be just a large log, Lizzy had become a local favorite after appearing on the seafront in March 2024. Locals had been concerned about her safety, prompting a campaign in September 2024 to protect the town's unofficial mascot from being washed away again.

Hundreds of residents and fans took to social media to express their sadness, describing Lizzy as a true "icon" of the town. Steve West, 66, who visited the seafront to see Lizzy's remains, said, "It may seem silly to some, but it captured the town's imagination. The children loved it and people took so many photos with it. It brought smiles for over 18 months."

West recalled Lizzys uncanny appearance resembling a lizard and how it survived previous storms, including Storm Bert and Storm Darragh. "The high tide on Saturday morning was particularly severe. There was always a chance this would happen, but it was good while it lasted," he added.

Despite suggestions that Lizzy could have been preserved, West noted it was impractical, though she had undeniably become a memorable character in Porthcawl, leaving a lasting impression on the community.

Chris Kitney, 39, a local resident who witnessed Lizzys arrival, described her as "a big part" of community life. Thousands of visitors came to see her, leaving signatures, coins, and other small tributes. Lizzy had even received playful decorations like goggly eyes, a Santa hat, and a flower necklace for local events.

Following the storm, Lizzys remains were found on the shore, though broken into pieces, losing her distinctive lizard-like appearance. Chris remains hopeful she may one day drift back. "It brought a lot of joy to the town," he said.

At 9.38 meters long and 2.46 meters tall, Lizzy had become a standout feature of the Porthcawl coastline, according to the local tourism office, Visit Porthcawl.

Porthcawl RNLI shared footage of Lizzy drifting at sea and reminded locals to stay safe during stormy conditions. Safety officer Ian Cole warned, "Big waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea, just as they did with a large log like Lizzy."

Author: Grace Ellison