Wick litter-pick volunteers collect 262 bags of rubbish – and a trampoline

A total of 480 public-spirited citizens – most of them children – played their part in this year’s springtime litter-picking events in and around Wick.

More than 260 black bags of rubbish were collected during the month-long initiative, along with larger discarded items including scooters, bikes and even a trampoline.

The collective effort has made “a huge difference”, according to Allan Bruce, vice-chairman of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC) and organiser of the town’s Spring Clean Scotland activities.

Spring Clean Scotland is an annual campaign run by the environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful and it took place this year from March 21 to April 21.

There were three main litter-picking sessions in and around Wick.

The first covered the area around the Grizzly Park and South Head, while the second focused on the airport industrial estate and nearby forest area. The third was devoted to general areas around Wick, starting at the riverside car park.

However, 10 organised events went ahead in all, with some of them extending beyond the town.

Mr Bruce gave an update at the monthly meeting of RBWCC on Monday.

He told fellow members: “I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council to thank everyone who took part in this year’s organised spring clean events.

“This is the fourth year that we have organised events and it was fantastic to see so many people getting involved, especially more kids than ever before. It was also great to see some more events taking place outside of Wick this year.

“All the effort that everyone put in has made a huge difference to our community in tackling the issue of litter.

“I would like to mention the Highland Council waste services team, who again played their part in carrying out litter-picks on the roadside verges in the county, and for accepting everything we collected into the recycling centres and also for the supply of bags.

“I would also like to thank Wick Paths Group for a loan of their litter-picking equipment.”

Mr Bruce explained that 480 people had taken part – 151 adults and 329 children – and they contributed around 960 voluntary hours.

“After all that effort we collected approximately 262 black bags, two scooters, two bikes, one scaffold stillage, one trampoline and various pallets, along with miscellaneous items,” he said.

Organisations that supported the clean-up efforts included Rolls-Royce health and wellbeing group, Newton Park and Noss primary schools, Wick Paths Group, Wick Flowers, St Peter’s Operative Lodge in Thurso, Step Forward Wick Youth and Watten Helps Out.

Referring to the three main Wick litter-picks, Mr Bruce said: “It was great to see a definite improvement in two of the areas. One area that was noticeably worse this year was the industrial estate.”

He added: “We will look to make next year’s spring clean bigger once again and look to involve even more people.

“One possible obstacle that has been identified, that could be preventing more people getting involved, is access to litter-picking equipment. I will be working over the next few months to try and ensure equipment is more readily available throughout the county.

“Once again a huge thank-you to everyone that was involved.”

Mr Bruce was given an impromptu round of applause by his community council colleagues.

He also pointed out that the summer spruce-up, which normally takes place just before gala week, could be brought forward this year given that Wick is the venue for the County Show on Saturday, July 19.

Mr Bruce said: “We’ll see what the weather is like, but it definitely makes a difference and the County Show takes thousands into the town.”

In September last year, Mr Bruce was awarded a Clean Up Scotland Hero award by Keep Scotland Beautiful for his efforts to keep the town litter-free.

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