Ayrshire Rotarians set to clean up beaches

Mar 9 2012 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

IT’S a clean up operation that has made a huge difference to beaches across Ayrshire.

And now the team behind the sixth annual beach clean are asking you to help ensure its continued success.

Ayrshire Rotary clubs will once again team up to hold the popular spring clean on Saturday, March 24.

They’ll target Girvan, Dipple, Turnberry, north Croy Bay, Dunure to Heads of Ayr, Heads of Ayr to River Doon, River Doon to Blackburn car park, Newton to Bentfield Point, Bentfield Point to Pow Burn, and Pow Burn to Barassie.

Jimmy Begg from Ayr Rotary is the event coordinator.

He explained: “This winter’s terrible storms have cast up a huge amount of debris on our shores, and we are well aware of many members of our local communities who are appalled at the amount of litter at present spoiling their beaches.

“We would invite and encourage as many people as possible to please come forward and join us in this annual massive environmental clean-up.

“Already we are making a great impact.

“On our regular beaches there has been a significant drop in rubbish compared with previous years.

“In 2007 we collected over 850 bags of rubbish. In 2011 from the same areas we collected 512 bags – a massive reduction of 40 per cent in the litter found on Ayrshire beaches over the past five years.”

Rotary clubs of Girvan, Alloway, Ayr, Prestwick and Troon have teamed up with Keep Scotland Beautiful, National Spring Clean to carry out the clean.

And they hope to repeat the success of pervious years.

Mr Begg added: “In addition, a further 205 bags were lifted from several new beaches along the Dipple shore north of Girvan, which were cleaned for the second time.

“Each year we have been encouraged by offers of support from Scouts, Boys Brigade, youth clubs, schools, college students, OIR, walkers, friends and neighbours.

“We now have a large number of regulars who turn up every year, and also a generous group of farmers and caravan park owners who kindly volunteer to cart bags of rubbish from remote beaches to pick-up points for collection by the council.

“We will be delighted to welcome anyone interested in spending a few hours of gentle fresh-air exercise, fun and enjoyment, cleaning up the lovely coastline along the route of the Ayrshire Coastal Path.

“Please come along and join us at 9am on Saturday, March 24, equipped with gardening gloves (or Marigolds) warm clothing and stout footwear.

“South Ayrshire Council can supply a limited number of litter tongs and gloves – and an unlimited supply of black bin bags.”

Anyone wishing to help out should report to their nearest assembly point.

And those with cars willing to travel a bit further afield will be made most welcome at clean ups in Dunure, Croy or Dipple beach.

Assembly Points are: Troon Rotary, the toilets on North Beach at 9am; Prestwick Rotary, the old pool at 9am; Ayr Rotary, Blackburn Car Park at 9am; Alloway Rotary, car park at Longhill Point at 9am; Girvan Rotary, Ainsley Car Park at 10am.