Keeping the Avon clear of litter

A PADDLE boarding club has teamed up with the Avon Navigation Trust to help keep its stretch clear of plastic and other litter.

Worcestershire Bonkers Activities club has teamed up with the Avon Navigation Trust and is using paddle power to sweep its stretch of the river clear of plastic, helping to keep it one of the cleanest rivers in the UK.

Hauled out rubbish

Bonkers Activities members have already hauled out a heap of carelessly cast off rubbish, including plastic bottles, cans and a bike.

The Club, based at the Pershore Riverside Centre, will continue the year-round litter pick from the town’s lock up to the weir at Wyre Piddle, where the Trust (ANT) is based, with Chief Executive Clive Matthews enthusing:

Easier to access

“We’re delighted to welcome the club on board to help us to protect our river and the environment.
The ANT team clears litter as it maintains the river, but it’s easier for paddle boarders to access harder to reach areas, such as shallows, where rubbish can get trapped.”

The Vale paddle boarders, who meet every Sunday throughout the year, were eager to get stuck in, with Kim Bonk, its owner telling:

“We love being on the river, and we want to make sure everyone else can enjoy it too. The  Avon is beautiful but, even on one of the cleanest rivers in the UK, it is surprising how much we pick up on our regular litter picks.”