[L]andscape conservation charity Friends of the Lake District has announced the results of its inaugural ‘Great Cumbrian Litter Pick’ held on Friday 6th July. Over 1,300 people took part in nearly 60 separate litter picks right across Cumbria collecting 353 sacks of rubbish.
Ruth Kirk, Landscape Engagement Officer and event organiser said: “We are immensely grateful to the huge number of people of all ages who rallied to our cry to help clean up Cumbria and we are staggered at the sheer number of sacks of litter collected in just one day.
“In one sense, we are so pleased that so much rubbish was removed from our beautiful landscapes, towns and villages. But in another, it is desperately sad to acknowledge the sheer quantity of carelessly chucked away litter blighting our glorious county.
“Nevertheless, we are enormously encouraged by the tremendous enthusiasm shown by so many schoolchildren who took part. In some ways, children are much more enlightened and active about environmental protection than many adults! It bodes well for the future I think.”
Some of the interesting items found included: a crutch, a discarded tent, half a rusty old wheelbarrow, over 20 deflated helium balloons with string attached, shirts, hats, gloves, underpants, keyboard, spray can of snow and a CD entitled ‘Essential Songs of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’ (which clearly couldn’t have been that essential!)
One enthusiastic litter picker from Millom broke his litter picker but, undeterred, he popped home to pick up his barbecue tongs and valiantly carried on; friends say they shall be politely declining his barbecue invitations for now!
Friends of the Lake District has confirmed that ‘The Great Cumbrian Litter Pick’ will return in springtime 2019 with the next event being organised for Fri 26th and Sat 27th April. Schools, communities, organisations, groups or individuals wishing to sign up for the 2019 event should visit www.thegreatcumbrianlitterpick.org.uk or for more information contact ruth-kirk@fld.org.uk
