Clean-up success

Dozens of volunteers got involved in community clean-ups across North Tyneside at the weekend as part of the council's Big Spring Clean initiative.

More than 50 people took part in a community clean-up at Earsdon Cemetery in Whitley Bay on Saturday, May 10.

It was organised by the council in conjunction with the Friends of Earsdon, which organises the village's entry into contests such as Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom

The clean-up took place at the northern end of the cemetery and included picking litter from hedgerows, clearing fallen leaves and cutting back turf from footpaths.

Verna MacNaughton, chairman of the Friends of Earsdon, said: "It was uplifting to see just how many community-spirited people there are.

"Everyone worked hard and made an obvious difference to the appearance of the cemetery. I would like to thank everyone who took part.

"This was a superb start to the planned improvement works at Earsdon Cemetery. It certainly paves the way for the council to continue with the work in the closed part of the cemetery, where it is desperately needed."

On the same day, around 20 people took part in a clean-up of Silverlink Biodiversity Park, which is in the centre of Cobalt Business Park, just off the A19.

They recovered 260kgs of rubbish, which consisted mainly of paper and polythene. Volunteers also helped paint railings in the park.
 

The Big Spring Clean, which runs until the end of May, invites people to work with the council and help make the borough a cleaner and greener place to live.

There are five main ways which people can make a difference during the Big Spring Clean:
 

• Report any incidents of graffiti or fly-tipping
• Don't drop litter and always dispose of rubbish responsibly
• Recycle as much of your waste as possible
• Form a residents' group to help clean your neighbourhood and take part in a clean-up event
• Get involved in North Tyneside in Bloom.

The way to take part is by visiting the Big Spring Clean website at www.northtyneside.gov.uk/bigspringclean or phone the hotline, TEL: 0845 2000 106.

ENDS
 

Issued by:Duncan Bennett