Join County Durham’s Big Spring Clean

Staff and students from King James I Academy alongside Durham County Council’s civic pride and neighbourhood warden teams, representatives from Bishop Auckland Town Council and volunteer groups, at the launch of this year’s Big Spring Clean.

County Durham school children have helped to launch a major litter picking campaign.

Students from King James I Academy grabbed their litter picks to help tidy their local area, marking the start of this year’s Big Spring Clean, led by Durham County Council.

The annual campaign runs until 4 May and encourages people to take pride in their communities by taking part in litter picks or organising their own.

King James I Academy sits in front of the River Gaunless, which was the focus of the students’ big spring clean.

Cllr Kyle Genner, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, environment and police relations, said: “Clean and tidy streets are something we all aspire to have and something we’d all like to see achieved. With such a vast county and so many areas to keep tidy, that just wouldn’t be possible without our wonderful communities and the people in them being deeply involved to make it happen.

“The Big Spring Clean is that in action. Our wonderful communities and the people who live in them standing up to do their bit. Last year, more than 1,600 volunteers carried out 400 litter picks in County Durham, collecting the equivalent of 13 tonnes of rubbish. This highlights just how much of a positive difference we can make when we all get involved.

“It’s also great to see our younger generations leading the way with the launch of the campaign and cleaning up their own community. We want to protect and make the most of our natural environments, for current and future generations, and it’s wonderful to see students from King James I Academy taking that so seriously.

“If our school children can do it, then so can all of us. Let’s get out, get involved and clean up our streets. Get signed up and let’s make it happen together.

Litter picking events are taking place across the county as part of this year’s campaign. To find out more, visit www.durham.gov.uk/bigspringclean

Anyone wishing to borrow equipment and organise their own litter pick can contact the council’s Civic Pride team for support, by emailing civicpride@durham.gov.uk