Children from Ysgol Penybryn recently turned out to help local group Balchder Bro Ogwen in their efforts to tidy Bethesda. The children are members of the school’s Green Group and were keen to help keep the area clean and tidy.

The children met up with Balchder Bro members at Pant Dreiniog, a former quarry but now an area popular for recreation. A total of 20 bin bags full of rubbish was collected by the children, together with an office chair, a sofa cushion, and even a toilet seat!
Gwynedd Council’s Tidy Towns Officer, Jonathan Gwyn Neale said: “It was a pleasure to see the children’s enthusiasm to collect litter.  They enjoyed their experience so much they were asking when the next one was planned.”

One of the children, Cian, noted: “I enjoyed the experience a lot. It was good to spend time with the people from Balchder Bro Ogwen. But all the rubbish we saw was terrible. I was amazed to see so much in Pant Dreiniog, and the kind of things people throw away!”

Balchder Bro’s Paul Rowlinson, added: “I would like to thank the children and their teacher, Carys Ann Owen for being so industrious and showing a lot of interest in the campaign to tidy the area. Thanks also to Gwynedd Council’s Tidy Towns for providing the equipment and for getting rid of the waste.”

Those who thoughtlessly litter in a public place are committing a crime. Anyone found guilty of throwing rubbish in any public place could face a fine of up to £2,500. To report any instances of fly-tipping, contact Gwynedd Council’s street enforcement team on 01766 771000.

Gwynedd’s Tidy Towns scheme is funded by a Welsh Government grant which aims to improve the local environment.

For more information about Gwynedd Council’s Tidy Towns scheme or if you would like to start your own community group contact the team on 01766 771000 or send an e-mail totrefitaclus@gwynedd.gov.uk if you’d like to request a community pack.