A woman from Eastbourne, England, who enjoys sending messages in bottles out to sea, was surprised to receive an angry response instead of the friendly connection she hoped for. Lorraine Forbes, 58, has been tossing bottled notes along the coast for years, hoping to spark a bit of old-fashioned romance. But this time, what came back was far from romantic.
On September 5, Forbes set off her latest message in a plastic bottle—choosing plastic over glass to avoid breakage. She included her name and address, expecting perhaps a friendly reply like she had received before from places such as Holland and France. Instead, just over a month later, she got a package in the mail that cost her $9 to accept. Inside was a box filled with rocks and a harsh note, written on the back of a John Lydon concert flyer, telling her to stop littering.
The note read: “Please stop throwing rubbish in the sea. It goes to Pevensey Bay or Normans Bay, one day later. Many thanks, a rubbish picker.” The anonymous sender didn’t sign the letter, leaving Forbes feeling upset and confused.
“It was a cowardly litter picker who sent me the response,” Forbes told reporters. “I think that it is really nasty. They were trying to make a point and teach me a lesson.” She said she would have demanded the postage money back if the person had put their name on it.
Living by the sea for more than 30 years, Forbes said sending messages in bottles has been a hobby she cherishes. She wanted a bit of romance and connection in a simple, old-fashioned way. But the sharp reply made her realize that even harmless fun might be viewed as littering by environmental officials, especially since she included her personal details.
The incident has left her unsure if she will continue the hobby. “I probably won’t keep doing it,” she said.
This story highlights the tension between personal hobbies and environmental concerns. While some see messages in bottles as charming and harmless, others view them as trash that could harm local beaches. It’s a reminder to always consider how our actions affect the environment and how they might be received by others.
Lorraine Forbes’ experience shows that even small gestures can attract strong reactions—and sometimes, a letter in a bottle doesn’t always contain a friendly message after all.
