Wick clean-up organiser praises ‘amazing’ efforts by over 150 volunteers
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More than 150 volunteers took part in a series of clean-up events in and around Wick, filling almost 250 black backs with rubbish.
It added up to approximately 318 hours of voluntary work in support of Spring Clean Scotland, held in March and April and led locally by the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC).
The statistics were given by Allan Bruce at the May meeting of the community council. He is vice-chairman of RBWCC and organiser of Wick’s annual Spring Clean Scotland activities.
With support from Wick Paths Group, litter-picking events were held on three dates in different parts of the town and surrounding area.
Mr Bruce delivered a report to fellow community councillors at their meeting in the Assembly Rooms on Monday night.
“This is the third year that the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council has organised events in Wick,” he explained.
“We were joined by members of Wick Paths Group, Wick Flower Baskets, Noss Primary School and the public. Also this year events were organised in Watten and Staxigoe.
“In total 153 volunteers took part in all the events, collecting an amazing 249 black bags plus a vacuum cleaner, an artificial Christmas tree, six tyres, eight pallets, a couch, a shopping trolley and a cuddly toy.”
Community councillor Eswyl Fell, referring to a former TV entertainment show, remarked: “It’s like The Generation Game!”
Mr Bruce went on: “I can’t thank everyone enough for turning out. Their decision to act has made such a difference to their local communities.
“There is strong evidence that the less litter that is in an area, it prevents more from being discarded.
“I would also like to mention the Highland Council waste team in Wick. They accepted our collections and did their bit by litter-picking the verges on the three main roads leading into the town.”
Spring Clean Scotland is run by the environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.
Looking ahead to next year, Mr Bruce said: “It would be great to see some businesses come on board and I would ask that everyone do their small bit. That could even be in the way of purchasing a bin hook from the Seafarers Memorial Group.
“It was clear to see in areas where we collected this year that the contents of blue recycling bins had been spilled and blown in the wind. The bin hooks are a great way to prevent this.
“Hooks are available from committee members or Francis Street filling station as well as Meiklejohn’s in Wick and Cardosi’s shop in Thurso.
“It has been great to see the primary schools getting involved again this year and I will be looking to work with them next year with some of the great competitions, such as the Litter League that is run by Keep Scotland Beautiful.”
Community council chairman Allan Farquhar observed that, while volunteers are doing their best to clean up the town, some business owners seem unable even to look after their own premises.
He said: “Local businesses really need to have a look at their own shopfronts, and keep them tidy as we do for the town as volunteers.”
