Cubs and Scouts from Dalston joined forces with staff from Carlisle’s Peter Tyson to clean up a city stream.
They undertook the three-hour challenge to clean up the mill stream outside of the Shaddongate store.
Some 29 Dalston Cubs and Scouts were joined by 10 adult volunteers and helped Peter Tyson in removing and disposing of debris and litter from the mill steam that runs alongside the retail site.
Volunteers donned wellies and waterproofs and spent the day knee-deep in ice-cold water. The clean-up efforts rid the stream of various forms of litter including old cans, bottles, traffic cones, and discarded vapes. The volunteers also came across some more unusual items such as milk crates, a radio, CDs, and a scooter.
The idea to clean the stream came after wildlife – including an otter – had been spotted in the stream.
The otter was adopted by the store’s staff and they ran a competition to name him. It attracted hundreds of entries and the otter has since been fondly known as Bobbin, a call back to the old Linton Tweeds factory nearby.
A spokesman said: “On a few occasions there have been sightings of multiple otters travelling together and their presence alerted Peter Tyson to the state of the stream they have taken up residence in. It quickly became a priority to alleviate the burden of physical pollution on the ecosystem and give the local wildlife a clean and safe habitat.”
Having previously donated to the Dalston Cubs and Scouts and recognising their eagerness for volunteering and fundraising opportunities, Peter Tyson reached out to their leader, Kevin Hart, who happily agreed to organise the clean-up.
After all the hard work, volunteers enjoyed a barbecue.
