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Big Dee Day clean-up

Published: 03/10/2014

Hundreds of bags of litter were collected by volunteers who also planted trees and bulbs throughout the River Dee catchment area during this year’s Big Dee Clean Up. Around 200 volunteers including residents, and representatives from organisations and businesses, took part in the two day event which took place on 19 and 20 September. Mike Taylor, Senior Coastal Ranger, Flintshire’s Countryside Services said: “The Sustrans volunteer rangers collected 37 bags between Queensferry and Saltney. “Flintshire’s Countryside Services rangers collected over 40 bags and staff from Natural Resources Wales litter picked on the beach at Talacre alongside RSPB and Haven staff and volunteers. “Schoolchildren from Connah’s Quay High School were praised by the coastal rangers along with staff and students from Coleg Cambria, who worked in and around Connah’s Quay.” The launch of Big Dee Day took place at Chester Football Club as the event involves partner agencies across Chester, North Wales and Wirral including Cheshire West and Chester, Flintshire County Council, Denbighshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council and Gwynedd Council and is supported by the Environment Agency, and Natural Resources Wales. Councillor Bernie Attridge, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “This year’s Big Dee Day has been a resounding success, and I’d like to thank all our partners for their hard work in making it happen. “The River Dee runs through lots of different areas of North Wales and it’s fantastic to see such a successful cross-border partnership.” Bev Dyer, Environment Officer from Natural Resources Wales added: “The River Dee and the Dee Estuary is a popular area for locals and visitors, and an important hub for angling and other water sports, as well as a home to rare wildlife. “The important work of all the volunteers and organisations involved in the Big Dee Day will go a long way in helping to make sure the area can continue to be enjoyed by people as well as benefiting wildlife and the local economy for years to come.” Jo Holden from the Environment Agency added: “The Big Dee Day of action was a fantastic event. It highlighted all the great work the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Flintshire County Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Keep Wales Tidy are doing to improve the local environment. It shows how much we can achieve by working together and I hope it will prompt people to carry on volunteering and taking an interest in nature. “Work to improve the environment in this area is continuing and we are excited to be involved with the Tidal Dee Catchment Partnership, which has a ‘Living Seas Officer’ starting work next week. This means we will have a dedicated person to start projects on marine litter and contaminated land issues around the Dee estuary and encourage further partnership working with local people and volunteer groups.” Editor’s note Natural Resources Wales brings together the work of the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales and Forestry Commission Wales. It is responsible for making sure the natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained, enhanced and used, now and in the future. Photo caption L-R: Community leaders and civic heads including Mayor of Chester and Admiral of the Dee, Cllr Bob Rudd and Chair of Flintshire County Council, Cllr Glenys Diskin at the launch of Big Dee Day.