Huge haul of rubbish retrieved from the river Kent thanks to volunteer litter pickers’ fantastic efforts, both on land and water!

Monday 3rd April 2023
PRESS RELEASE:
Huge haul of rubbish retrieved from the river Kent thanks to volunteer litter pickers’ fantastic efforts, both on land and water!  
 
The Clean River Kent Campaign (CRKC), in partnership with the Lakeland Canoe Club, Save our Rivers, Trash Free Trails and Westmorland (Kent) Angling Association organised a river clean-up on Sunday 2nd April between Staveley and Burneside.
Over 40 volunteers from communities along the river collected about a tonne of waste in just a few hours – a great achievement, but which also sadly reveals just how much litter exists in this precious landscape.       
 
On Sunday 2nd April volunteers from Staveley, Bowston, Burneside, Kendal and other communities along the river Kent gathered in Staveley at 10am for the start of a river walk / paddle down the river Kent to Millennium Green, Burneside, collecting rubbish along the way.
 
Isobel Stoddart, CRKC Chair said, “It was wonderful to see people of all ages turn out to help clean up the river Kent – a real community effort. I think that everyone was both surprised and shocked by the amount of rubbish collected on what appears to be, on first appearance, a relatively litter-free stretch of the river. There was everything from traffic cones to toilet seats, metal pipes and plastic toys. The amount of black plastic and discarded dog poo bags was particularly noticeable.”
 
Whilst 2 teams made their way along the footpaths either side of the river gathering litter on-land, members of the Lakeland Canoe Club accompanied by a family in an inflatable raft retrieved rubbish that had got lodged behind rocks in, and on branches over, the river.
 
Wyn, a volunteer from Kendal explained, “Whilst there was a really positive atmosphere, and everyone taking part seemed to have a good time, the huge pile of litter told a very clear story – we need to look after our rivers and stop using them as a rubbish bin. Not only is it unsafe for people using the river, but the creatures in the water will also be suffering from all the waste entering the watercourse. Please think before you litter along our precious river – take it home instead!”
 
For over a year now the Clean River Kent Campaign has been calling for United Utilities to clean up their act and stop discharging untreated sewage into the river. They are also calling on people who enjoy the river to play their part too and stop dumping rubbish either in, or along the banks of the river.
The Clean River Kent Campaign is very grateful to Westmorland & Furness Council for providing the litter pickers and bags; to British Canoeing for sponsoring the event, and to all the volunteers who took part.
The group hope to hold further litter picks along the river throughout 2023, working their way down the river to Kendal and beyond. Details will be publicised via their Facebook page: @cleanriverkent, or you can sign up to their monthly newsletter via: [email protected]
  
Notes for Editors:

1. The Clean River Kent Campaign (CRKC) was established in Autumn 2021. We are a voluntary coalition of communities living along the river Kent, Cumbria. Our aim is to keep the river Kent clean for water-based recreation and to protect wildlife and ecology. Our initial objective is to significantly reduce the amount of effluent discharged into the river by United Utilities wastewater treatment works and/or by storm overflows.

 

1. Contact Clean River Kent Campaign: [email protected] / 07952 786621 for more information, interviews, quotes, or more images. (All permissions received for use of photos attached. Credits: James Kirby).

 

1. More general information on the overall CRKC campaign, including videos produced by local filmmakers/volunteers: http://www.sustainablestaveley.org.uk/crkc/

 

1. Clean River Kent facebook page: @cleanriverkent