The canal clean-up litter picking events have officially kicked off. Our Engagement Officer, Clarissa, attended one of the events and wrote about her experience.
On Thursday 5 August I joined the canal clean-up with the Canal River Trust. The Canal and River Trust has launched a new programme of volunteering on the Grand Union Canal in Old Oak and Park Royal which is funded by OPDC. The sessions so far have been well attended with up to 12 local community members attending each event.
Armed with my safety gloves, litter picker and rubbish bag, the session started at The Collective and ended just past the Grand Junction Arms pub. I had a great time being out and about with community members that really love and care about the canal.
The clear up generated over 20 bags of rubbish although there had been a clear up only six days before. We found things that you wouldn’t think would be dumped by the canal, such as a retro chest of drawers, a leather reclining sofa and by far the biggest was an abandoned boat. My favourite part of the clean-up was discovering that there are wipes that have been created to remove graffiti. I found it quite therapeutic using the wipes to rid a stainless steel waterway sign of graffiti and returning it to its original gleaming beauty. How I wished I had these wipes when my children were practising their ‘art’ on my living room wall when they were toddlers.
I can honestly say this was a great way to use my volunteering day allowance and I would urge you to attend if you can. Who thought picking up rubbish would be so fun!