BUDE Rubbish Action Group has celebrated its first birthday, and did so in fitting fashion by holding a celebratory litter pick.

The group, which was set up in April 2018 by Paul Crum with his wife Laila, has gone on to become a local phenomenon, with people posting about their litter picks around Bude to the group’s Facebook page on a regular basis.

Originally set up to help tackle the amount of litter and rubbish found around the town, complementing the regular beach cleans undertaken by various beach clean groups by the local coast, it is now believed that litter picks have collected close to five tonnes of rubbish from the area within the last 12 months.

Since it was first established last April, founder Paul has become a Keep Britain Tidy ambassador, has received a Bude Heroes award from mayor Bob Willingham and is also due to accept a Cornwall Civic Award from Cornwall Council on May 1 after being nominated by Cornwall Councillor for Bude, Peter La Broy.

To celebrate the group’s birthday, BRAG held a litter pick on Sunday, April 7 where almost 20 bags of rubbish were collected.

Following the group’s birthday litter pick, Paul said: “BRAG has gone from strength to strength in 12 months, getting bigger and bigger. We have been noticed across Cornwall and around the country, but the most important thing is we now have a dedicated group that is established and passionate about our lovely town of Bude. Today I felt very privileged to belong to a community that I came to 15 years ago, and more importantly, seeing a community in action.

“BRAG’s ethos is education and community, and it’s working. Love where you live, love your community, love Bude, and love a cleaner Bude.”

To follow BRAG’s journey or to find out about how to clean up an area of Bude, like their Facebook page, ‘BRAG Bude Rubbish Action Group’.