Ards and North Down Big Spring Clean Weekend!
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, is encouraging people across the Borough to get involved in Northern Ireland’s biggest volunteer clean-up and take part in Ards and North Down’s Big Spring Clean Weekend on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March.
Organised in support of Live Here Love Here’s Big Spring Clean, which runs from 1 March to 30 April, the Mayor is the driving force behind this specific effort in the Borough. Local community groups, schools and other organisations are being urged to sign up and take part, ensuring that by working together, as much rubbish as possible will be removed from our countryside.
The volunteer litter pickers will be encouraged to separate recyclable materials, such as bottles and cans, from general waste by using separate bags before dropping off the filled bags at designated collection points. A co-ordinated effort will see Ards and North Down Borough Council collect the waste from these collection points, before delivering it to a recycling centre where it will be safely disposed of.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, said:
“I would really like as many people as possible to come out and help with this joint-effort in getting rid of waste that is littering our Borough. This is a fantastic opportunity to help Ards and North Down become an even more attractive place to live, work and visit, while also providing untold benefits to our environment and local wildlife. I am looking forward to taking part and meeting many of the volunteers.”
Helen Tomb, Live Here Love Here Manager, said:
“Litter continues to be an issue across our roads, greenspaces and beautiful beaches. Volunteers can support the work of Ards and North Down Borough Council by taking part in an organised litterpick or by lifting a few pieces of litter when out for a walk. Live Here Love Here supports the Mayor’s Big Spring Clean weekend and will be joining community litterpicks during the weekend to help keep the Borough beautiful.”
Lesley Crawshaw, Manager of the Beach Cleaners Ards and North Down Facebook group, said:
“It would be great to get as many people as possible involved in Ards and North Down’s Big Spring Clean Weekend. Litter is a depressing blight on our environment. Every piece of litter lifted makes a difference and it’s amazing what can be achieved when we all work together. Not only can we make a huge difference to the cleanliness of Ards and North Down but we can also raise awareness of the litter problem and encourage people to think about changing their behaviour.”
Litter picking equipment can be provided to volunteer groups and individuals who register for the Ards and North Down Big Spring Clean Weekend. To register, email mayors.office@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.
The Mayor will invite all those who register to a ‘thank you’ event at Bangor City Hall. So why not grab some rubbish bags, put on some gloves, and join your local community in picking up litter from open spaces, parks, beaches and other public places to help clean up the Borough during the Ards and North Down Big Spring Clean Weekend!