Primary pupils form litter-picking army for Great Angus Beach Clean

Ladyloan Primary School pupils led the launch of this year's clean-up by taking to the shoreline near Arbroath harbour.

By Graham Brown

March 25 2023, 5:55am

Wendy Murray of Angus Clean Environments with Ladyloan pupils on the beach. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

The Great Angus Beach Clean has begun – with shocking evidence of the lack of respect for the area’s beautiful coastline.

Primary One pupils from Ladyloan School were the eager taskforce for the launch of the week-long initiative in Arbroath.

But within minutes of starting their quest at Inchcape Park on Friday they found the rusted wreck of an old wheelchair.

And worse was to come with the discovery of a complete chemical toilet from a camper or caravan – still with its disgusting contents inside.

Sadly, nothing surprises the organisers of the annual event any more.

Great Angus Beach Clean 2023 — Ladyloan pupils Aoe and Ema with an early find in the clean-up Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Tonnes of rubbish already collected

Wendy Murray of Angus Clean Environments is once again spearheading the local effort.

And she says what will be collected during the campaign is the tip of the iceberg.

“The event has been planned to coincide with the Scottish Spring Clean and we have extended the dates this year so it runs over two weekends,” said Wendy.

“There are a number of formal events organised, but we encourage people to take their ‘four from the shore’ any time they are out and about.

Working together to make the beach a better place. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

“But we have volunteers doing their bit all year round.

“So far since December 1 last year more than two tonnes of waste has been removed from the beach between Carnoustie and Arbroath.

“We expect the Great Angus Beach Clean will turn up the usual huge amounts of plastics, tins, food packaging and old fishing gear,” said Wendy.

“But to find a full chemical toilet is pretty disappointing.

Great Angus Beach Clean 2023 at Arbroath. — The Ladyloan youngsters ready for action at Arbroath. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

“They’ve obviously used it in their van, had nowhere to empty it and decided just to dump it.

“It just strengthens the need for chemical waste disposal units along the coast for the people who are stopping there and not on sites.

“It’s just not acceptable,” said Wendy.

Initiative expanding

“From September, the event will become known as the Great East Coast Beach Clean,” she said.

“The litter problem across Scotland is getting worse and not better.

“Keep Scotland Beautiful have declared a national litter emergency and coastal communities north and south of Angus want to get involved to see if we can make a more significant impact by extending the effort along the whole east coast.

“This is welcomed and we look forward to working collaboratively with other communities to protect and conserve the marine environment.”