As we enter the first full week of #SpringCleanScotland we share some words from Alice Fisher of Sea the Change, a Berwickshire charity which aims to connect communities to coastlines by delivering events, activities and campaigns so we can all enjoy and protect our natural environment.
Spring Cleaning used to conjure up for me images of mother (never father!), with pinny on, buckets and mops in hand, dusters and Brasso (that smell!), the Bissel Carpet Shampooer oot from the back o’ the cupboard and the curtains being changed from the heavy red and orange winter drapes for the lightweight flowery blues and greens – what about you?
But, since taking up a post with Sea the Change last year, Spring Clean Ups has taken on a whole new meaning. It is about getting oot and aboot with a group of enthusiastic, like-minded folk of both gender and none and of all ages and backgrounds.....woolies on, litterpickers and buckets in gloved hands and a let’s get oor patch looking bonny again attitude.
Not that oor place isn’t always bonny. But rusting cans, squished juice and water bottles, sweetie wrappers, fast food containers....and the rest, strewn aboot by those less thoughtful or careful, can soon accumulate on our streets and coastlines, in our parks and green spaces and....well, just takes the edge off the beauty around us.
That is why Sea the Change and Berwickshire Anti-Litter Group work in collaboration with Keep Scotland Beautiful and hard-working community groups across Berwickshire to coordinate tidy-ups during National Campaigns like Spring Clean and throughout the year.
Our volunteers are tireless in their efforts to pick up what others leave behind, whether as part of Sea the Change’s twice yearly Big Clean Ups, or smaller more regular get-togethers. It’s fun, it’s worthwhile, it’s satisfying and rewarding, and a cuppa and maybe a slice of something sweet is a little added extra.
Last September, our Big Clean Up Event involved 25 local communities, 180 individual volunteers and we collected a colossal 600kg of rubbish
Our next event is on Sunday 24 March 2024. To get involved, check our website for details of litter picks in your area. Or if you would like help to organise a Clean Up event in your patch drop us an email: helen@seathechange.org.uk
Happy pickings!