08.05.11 AWRA Spring Clean; carp(e) diem

Today, 12 volunteers and 2 PCSOs joined in with Atlantic Wharf Residents Association’s annual Spring Clean across the Atlantic Wharf area.


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The area was briefly scouted for litter hotspots before giving volunteers a quick health and safety talk followed by distribution of litterpicking equipment. The volunteers then split up to cover different areas including Lloyd George Avenue and Silurian Place. Considerable litter was present in the canal leading up to the Wharf Pub and much effort was directed here to tackle this local beauty spot which was tarnished with detritus. The cans and fast food containers were easy game for the extra-long litterpickers and the extendable nets, but we struggled to remove 3-extremely large carp which had died here some time beforehand. The problem here was the overwhelming stench of rotting fish; any visiting Swedish tourists could easily have mistaken it for an open air surstromming festival. The volunteers gathered up their stomach contents, held their breath and landed these massive fish into bags which were sealed as soon as possible.



Chris from Keep Wales Tidy commented “It was very nice to see the nesting coots especially after we had cleared up the canal and I’m especially glad we removed so many of the carrier bags which pose such a hazard to both the parents and the young ones”.

Altogether we collected 18 bags of rubbish, 5 bags of recyclables, several large metal pipe items, a mirror, pieces of wood, most of a crutch (perhaps to match the one collected in Llanedeyrn on Friday), shoes, a wallet and loads of carrier bags many of which were in trees, shrubs and partially submerged in the water.

Most of the litterpicking equipment was provided by Keep Wales Tidy. If you are interested in organising a similar event in your area or want more information, please call Chris Partridge on 07717 412 270 or chris.partridge@keepwalestidy.org