TESTING the water, a new litter picking group may be formed in Holsworthy following a successful first session on Saturday.

The event was spearheaded by Paul Crum, the creator of Bude Rubbish Action Group (BRAG), following a positive talk with Holsworthy Town Council earlier in the month. He put out a post on social media a few days before the event to drum up some interest and was pleased with how many people responded and showed an interest in attending despite the short notice.

Paul said: “We had seven people turn up, which is really, really good when you consider I only put the post out on Wednesday evening [September 18]. It was so impromptu and I think, had I put the post up a week or two beforehand we would have had a lot more people turn up as I had several people saying they wish they had known sooner, which is really encouraging.”

The group met in the Manor Car Park where they were supplied with hi-vis jackets, litter pickers and rubbish bags. From there, the group moved across to the police station, up through Stanhope Park before returning to the TIC.

Paul was impressed with how many people came along and helped fill seven large bags with rubbish. He said: “We even had Toby [Johns] a Holsworthy town councillor join in and I think I have already got someone who might take over the running of the group.

“I got talking to a lady along the way who had come litter picking with her son. He really enjoyed it, which prompted the question ‘will you take over the group’. At first she said no but she messaged me the next day to say she would be interested in taking it on. The enthusiasm is there!”

As a Keep Britain Tidy ambassador, Paul is keen to see litter picking groups start up across Devon and Cornwall. He is hoping more towns and villages will following Bude and Holsworthy’s example and set up their own groups.

Paul said: “I have put out feelers around Devon, I really want to get as many towns and villages holding their own litter picks as possible. The keenness to participate is out there, people just need a kick in the right direction.

“These events bring people together, communities together, neighbours who didn’t know each other before.”