Volunteers in Torbay are invited to take part in two beach cleans as part of the Great British Spring Clean, an annual event co-ordinated by Keep Britain Tidy and this year runs up until Sunday 10 April.

Now in its seventh year, the Great British Spring Clean brings together all areas of our community, working together to make a difference to Torbay.

This year SWISCo - a company wholly owned by Torbay Council which runs a range of frontline local services - has organised two spring clean events with the assistance of Wesup and Fishcombe Cove Café.

Litter that reaches our oceans can cause harm to marine creatures large and small, as well as the wider marine and coastal ecosystems, with plastics making up around 80% of the litter in our seas.

Leader of Torbay Council Steve Darling said: “Great British Spring Clean is a chance for members of the community to come together and get involved with volunteering. Anyone is welcome to join these two events organised by SWISCo along with Wesup and Fishcombe Cove Café.

“In addition, a range of other community groups are organising their own litter picks and beach cleans. We held a litter pick in Hele village over the weekend so would like to say thank you to all those who took part. The next Hele village litter pick will be on the second Saturday in May, meeting at Truro Avenue at 10am.

Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture, said: “Help make a difference in your local community by joining SWISCo for the Great British Spring Clean on Saturday 9 or Sunday 10 April, to litter pick on land and in and on the sea, and work towards making Torbay’s coast litter free.”

Litter picks and beach cleans

Abbey Sands

Date: Saturday 9 April
Time: 1pm to 3pm

Meeting at 1pm by the Wesup café outlet on Abbey Sands.

SWISCo will be providing litter pickers, black bags and organising the removal of all the collected waste.

There will be two parts to the event, a marine clean for experienced paddle boarders and a land based clean for those who would rather stay dry.

The marine clean will be led by Wesup from Abbey Sands, to Daddyhole Plain and back again. If residents have their own paddle boards and want to take part in the marine paddle board clean they are encouraged to arrive in good time to join the team.

Participants in the land-based clean up can choose to pick on Abbey Sands, Abbey Meadows and along the South West Coast Path along Princess Parade to Torquay Harbour, before returning to the beach.

SWISCo will be on Abbey Sands with the beach rake and tractor, along with other pieces of used to keep the beaches and streets of Torbay clean.

After the clean is complete Wesup will be offering participants half price tea and coffee from 3pm at their outlet on Abbey Sands.

Fishcombe Cove

Date: Sunday 10 April
Time: 1pm to 3pm

Meeting at 1pm by Fishcombe Cove Café

For this event SWISCo has organised for litter pickers to be available along with black bags and the removal of collected waste.

This land based clean will encompass the beach, green space and the Southwest coast path. Starting at Fishcombe Cove. Participants can help with a beach clean before moving on along the South West Coast Path to either Battery Gardens or Churston Cove, before returning.

The 365 Sea Swim Challenge will be attending the event with the possibility of carrying out a litter pick in the sea thanks to the wild swimmers in the club.

After the clean-up, Fishcombe Cove Café will offer a 10% off deal on orders for all those who participated in the clean.

If you are taking part, please note:

• All litter pickers provided by SWISCo will have to be signed out and in again on the day.
• Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Please wear clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather and task.

Residents are encouraged to take part in the Great British Spring Clean with their own litter picks across Torbay. Use the hashtags #KeepBritainTidy #GreatBritishSpringClean and #Torbay to share achievements.