Rothbury rubbish group collects discarded masks, cigarette ends, cans and crisp and sweet wrappers

Rothbury Rubbish Friends is a fun group of community spirited Coquetdale folk who endeavour to keep the beautiful area clean and tidy.

The group formed about four years ago, and now has many litter pickers, who regularly womble about Rothbury.

Northumberland County Council kindly and generously supplied the group with litter grabbers, gloves, tabards, and a huge supply of bin bags.

Each member picks in their own area as frequently as they can but every so often they have a community get together, for a huge clean up.

"Saturday, June 12 was our first community litter pick in a long time,” said the group’s Katie Scott. “We were so lucky that the sun shone brightly and over 30 people turned up.

"Thirteen Rothbury Rubbish Friends were leaders of small groups and they each took responsibility for litter-picking different parts of the town.

"We spent a busy hour and half cleaning up discarded masks, cigarette ends, cans and crisp and sweet wrappers, and other debris.”

They were also treated afterwards when the new proprietors of the Coquetvale Hotel invited them in for a pizza lunch as a reward for their efforts.

"It was a fantastic morning which we all enjoyed,” said Katie.

One mum, Lauren, said: “What a great morning, thank you. Holly was so happy to be part of a big, fun, litter-picking team.”

Katie added: “Let’s hope these, and other, Coquetdale kids, never drop litter, and always remember to pick it, and bin it, when they see it.”

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