We were delighted to have our biggest turnout of volunteer litter pickers for several years last Saturday. With 25 people in total, we were able to cover several different stretches of the New Cut, including the re-littered bank near the corner of Whitehouse Street. We are speaking to the Council to see if this repeated deliberate dumping of cans and bottles can be stopped. Another group concentrated on the north side from Bedminster Bridge to Gaol Ferry Bridge.

With so many volunteers on the day, we were even able to ask a couple of good walkers to head all the way to Vauxhall Bridge on the south side, an area we’ve had to neglect since that bridge closed for repairs in October 2023. 

We were joined by photography student Vera Rose who is doing a project about the River Avon. As well as helping to clear litter, she took time to photograph some of us at work. A big thanks for her for the photos.

Passing pedestrians and motorists sometimes take the time to thank us for our efforts which is encouraging, but one passer-by went further this time, returning to us with a large bag of savoury and sweet nibbles – much appreciated after our efforts.

Our next litter picks are on Saturday 8th February and Saturday 8th March. We will then pause so we don’t disturb nesting birds.