Burn calories and spring clean our woodlands
Plymouth residents are being invited to get active, get outside into the great outdoors and spring clean the city's green spaces as part of the Great British Spring Clean.
Active Neighbourhoods Plymouth is supporting the UK’s Great British Spring Clean campaign in March this year, running three events to tidy up local woodlands at Budshead Woods, Efford Marsh and Kings Tamerton Woods.
People are being asked to bring friends and family to lend a hand with the Great British Spring Clean by collecting litter from woodland areas.
Litter pickers, gloves and bags will be provided for volunteers who want to join as a community to tidy up together.
Keeping the woodland tidy is not the only benefit, being active is also important. Each participant will get the chance to wear an activity tracking device, to track how many calories they have burnt and the distance they have walked as a group.
Councillor Michael Leaves, Cabinet member for Strategic Streetscene and Environment said "The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic initiative to get the community working together to help look after our green spaces whilst being active.
"Our Active Neighbourhood Project Team is delighted to be working alongside Keep Britain Tidy on the events and look forward to the results.”
Run by Keep Britain Tidy, the campaign aims to get everyone out and about, cleaning up their community through the year and understanding that small actions can be the start of big changes.
Plymouth University will also be taking part in the national campaign by arranging an event on Sunday 5 March at the train station. Students and volunteers will meet at Plymouth Railway Station at 11am and to begin their tidy up.
Professor Jon Shaw, from the University’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, added: “Plymouth is by no means unique in having litter on its streets. But wherever you see it, it makes a lasting impression on visitors, and has a negative impact on those living amongst it every day.
"We live in a beautiful city with thousands of people who care about its appearance, so this excellent initiative by our students has a number of obvious benefits.”
Join the Active Neighbourhoods team from 11am until 2pm on:
• Friday 3 March at Bedstead Woods. Meet at Ernesettle Scout Hut PL52QD
• Saturday 4 March at Efford Marsh. Meet at the bus stop at the top of Deer Park Drive PL3 6ST
• Sunday 5 March at Kings Tamerton Woods. Meet at Priestley Avenue, PL5 2DS
For more information on Active Neighbourhoods project or other events and volunteering in local green spaces go to www.facebook.com/activeneighbourhoodsproject.com
Alternatively contact Ashley Tod, Community Outreach Officer on Ashley.tod@plymouth.gov.uk
