Llantwit beach cleaners come to Barry – by MARCUS STEAD:
A team of 25 people braved cold morning temperatures on Sunday (22nd January) to clean the coastline at Barry Island and Jackson’s Bay.
The group, from Llantwit Major-based Volunteer Beach Clean, consisted of people of all ages, and together they filled five large bags with rubbish from the beaches and coastal paths.
After spending an hour collecting rubbish, the team went for a well-deserved meal of fish and chips and a warm cup of tea.
Volunteer Beach Clean founder Trevor McGarrigle paid tribute to the group: “It’s really inspiring to see so many local people from all generations who were willing to come out on a freezing cold Sunday morning to collect rubbish.
“We have some truly beautiful coastline here in Barry and elsewhere in the Vale. We do what we can to keep the beaches and coastal paths as clean and safe as possible, so I’d like to thank every one of the volunteers for giving up their time,” he said.
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An event to mark the fifth anniversary of Volunteer Beach Clean has been pencilled in for Saturday 25th February, and Trevor invites current, former and potential new volunteers to visit the organisation’s Facebook page where further details will be announced in the weeks ahead.
Since its inception in 2018, 1,506 people have given up their time to clean the beaches and coastlines throughout the Vale.
During the last five years, the volunteers have filled 955 bags of rubbish, and among the items gathered were 19 needles, 14 fishing nets, 36 car or bike tyres, 135 large plastic items and 33 metal drum containers.
Trevor says that everybody can play a part in keeping the coastline clean: “Unfortunately, when the tide comes in, it’s inevitable that it will bring some rubbish with it, and that can’t be helped.
“However, we can all do our bit when we go to the beach or take a walk on the coastal path by putting our rubbish in bins or by taking it home with us, so by each of us acting in a small way, together we can make a big difference,” he said.
Anyone wanting to join Volunteer Beach Clean for the fifth anniversary event can do so by calling Trevor on: 07716 487769.
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