Helensburgh Community Council's August beach clean

Some 15 volunteers - including five youngsters – banded together for the beach clean on Saturday, August 26 where they gathered rubbish and debris from the pier to the Henry Bell Monument.

Local families volunteered their time during the clean (Image: Tom Watt)

Organised by the Helensburgh Community Council and Plastic Free Helensburgh, the effort was helped by Drumfork Farm’s David Howie who used his tractor to move the waste.

The groups were delighted to see that the sum of their repeated efforts is adding up as the amount of waste they gathered has notably decreased.

15 people joined the effort (Image: Tom Watt)

A community council representative said: “Once again Plastic Free Helensburgh and the community council joined forces to organise another successful monthly beach clean.

“We were joined by very willing volunteers, some of whom brought along their children which was great to see because they get the message of the environment at an early age.

Marion Craig helps out (Image: Tom Watt)

“As ever we relied on David Howie of Drumfork Farm with his trusty tractor to do the heavy lifting of the debris and at least for a while the beach looks fit for children.

“We might be having some effect because the level of litter was less than it has been, so fingers crossed that a change may be happening.

Volunteers didn't just pick litter - they also tidied up the beach (Image: Tom Watt)

“Thank you to the Argyll and Bute Community Fund for the skip to take away the debris and clearing the access to the beach.

“Thanks to the youngsters who pulled out a large piece of clear reinforced plastic and revealed more litter increasing our total to 19kg.”

Ross MacFarlane participated in the clean-up (Image: Tom Watt)

In April 2023, volunteers gathered over 600kg of waste and debris during just one cleaning effort.

Two beach cleans are taking place this September with the first planned for Saturday, September 16 at East Bay and the second for Saturday, September 30 with volunteers meeting at Helensburgh Pierhead.

Lynne Gettings picking litter amongst the seaweed (Image: Tom Watt)

The Helensburgh Community Council will require volunteers to tend to the shrub beds in Colquhoun Square on Saturday, September 1 at 10am.

Volunteers are asked to bring gardening gloves and gardening tools if they are able to.

Logan and mum Lucia had a great time helping out (Image: Tom Watt)

Those who would wish to join the effort should message the community council’s Facebook page or join the volunteer group via their website.