Big beach clean bigger than ever!

In support of the Welsh Government funded Tidy Towns Project, more than 350 volunteers from local schools, community groups, public sector and private sector spent last Friday giving Cefn Sidan beach in Carmarthenshire a thorough cleanup.

They collected in excess of 100 bags of litter and various other larger items, including a large piece of an off-road vehicle (pictured).

The event was organised as part of Keep Wales Tidy’s annual Tidy Wales Week campaign which aims to get as many people across Wales involved in cleaning up their local areas. It also aims to raise awareness of the problems caused by litter and how giving an hour of your time can result in a positive outcome for the environment.

Although the “Big Beach Clean” was arguably the biggest cleanup event that Carmarthenshire has ever seen, many other groups participated in the county including a beach clean in Llansteffan, footpath work in Bynea, enhancement work in Llansadwrn and a cleanup in Pontyberem.

The Tidy Towns project encourages residents to take guardianship over their neighbourhood and carry out improvements to ensure it can be enjoyed by all members of the community and protected for future generations. The project in Carmarthenshire is managed in partnership by Keep Wales Tidy and Carmarthenshire County Council.

Dan Snaith of Keep Wales Tidy said:

“Once again the people of Carmarthenshire have demonstrated a fantastic commitment to the environment. The Big Beach Clean this year was the biggest ever, and we hope that it will keep going for many years to come. I must also take this opportunity to thank all the other groups that participated in Tidy Wales Week 2012.”

He added:

“Although Tidy Wales Week is an annual campaign, there are events going on throughout the year similar to those held during Tidy Wales Week, and we are always happy to accommodate new volunteers. Anyone who would like to join us on a project can contact me at daniel.snaith@keepwalestidy.org.”

“We regularly undertake cleanups, footpath work, habitat work, minor landscaping and biodiversity improvement.”