United Utilities volunteers support Great British Beach Clean

More than 40 volunteers from United Utilities took to the beach in Fleetwood to remove 17 bags of litter.

Volunteers from the water company’s Technology Services team joined the newly recruited River Rangers for two days of litter picking in partnership with Wyre Council and nature and wellbeing programme The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery.

Over two days the volunteers removed litter from Fleetwood’s promenade, shoreline and dunes – and with 17 bags collected it was quite a haul.

Alexandria Davies explained: “We were looking for a community activity to support and when we heard the Great British Beach Clean was taking place we thought this was the ideal opportunity.

“Most of our team are from the North West and Fleetwood is somewhere many of us visited when younger and still do now with children and grandchildren so it felt like a good location.

“The Coast and Countryside rangers at Wyre Council have been a huge help in supporting us, as well as finding the best spot for us to work in, they also explained more about the local habitat and wildlife and took us for a visit to Rossall Point Observation Tower where we got almost a bird’s eye view of the bay.

“As well as helping to make a positive difference, we all really enjoyed getting out in the fresh air and having a few hours getting back to nature.”

Councillor Simon Bridge, Portfolio Holder for Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces at Wyre Council comments,

 “We are always pleased to welcome volunteers to our regular beach and estuary cleaning activities. We conduct weekly, fortnightly and monthly cleans across our beautiful beaches, helping to improve Wyre’s coastal environment and tackle the global issue of keeping our beaches clear of litter.

“Every piece of litter removed has a positive impact and we would like to thank all of our officers, our volunteers, the local beach care groups and partners who work so hard to look after our beaches throughout the year.”

The Bay Programme Manager Damian Sharkey said: "We are delighted that the team from United Utilities have been such enthusiastic participants in the beach clean. The beach is definitely looking cleaner today.

"It is so much more than just cleaning the beach, it is a great way to get outdoors and make a difference to the community and to your own wellbeing. Whilst picking up litter you might find evidence of some of the diverse wildlife we have in and around the Irish Sea, like shellfish, marine flora and shark and ray egg cases.”

The Bay is a project using nature as a prescription to isolation and loneliness and the negative effects these have on wellbeing  in coastal communities, more details here - https://www.thebay.org.uk/

For more information on Wyre Council’s regular beach cleaning activities please visit www.wyre.gov.uk/beachcleans.

All equipment is provided and the events are suitable for all ages, but all under 18s must be accompanied by an adult at all times.