Going 'Dotty' for the Big Spring Clean

A community-led campaign to keep North Tyneside looking spick and span is returning for its 10th year.

With help from local residents, businesses, schools and community groups, the Big Spring Clean aims to combat litter and dog fouling in North Tyneside.

And this week, pupils from Richardson Dees Primary School helped launch the campaign, which is celebrating its 10th year.

The pupils were invited to take part in a clean-up of the school grounds alongside the council’s environmental mascot Waldo the Wonderdog and his friends.

There was also a competition held among the students to give a name to one of the mascots, with the winner receiving a prize from Smyth’s Toys Store.

The winning name for the council’s mascot was Dotty, chosen by Year 4 student Finlay.

Also, as part of the effort to keep their local area looking spick and span, pupils from Marden Bridge Middle School took part in their very own clean-up.

Working together with teachers and North Tyneside Council staff, the students were able to clear over seven bags of rubbish from the paths behind Morrisons and show off the pride they have for their local community.

Cllr John Stirling, cabinet member for the Environment, said: “As the council, we strive to make sure our borough is an attractive place to live, work and; visit, and we couldn’t manage that without the help of the local community.

“The community involvement we see every year from the Big Spring Clean is fantastic. So many of our residents get involved and the pride they take in their local area makes our job so much easier.

“I’d like to say a big thank-you to Finlay and the rest of the students at Richardson Dees Primary School and Marden Bridge for the enthusiasm they’ve shown and the effort that went into their clean-ups.”

Tony Markwell, Head of Prevention & Education, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: “It’s great to see the community being so supportive in keeping their local environment looking good. 

“However, it also helps the fire service too. The less litter and rubbish there is, also means fewer opportunities to create deliberate fires. Sadly we know that Spring can see an increase in deliberate fires so it’s important that any litter is removed as soon as possible.”  

Running from March until May 13, the Big Spring Clean invites the public to take part in council and community-led litter picks, that the authority will support by providing gloves, bags and litter pickers.

The campaign has seen extraordinary successes in the past, with over seven tonnes of litter being removed from the borough when the initiative was ran in 2017.

This year’s Big Spring Clean is part of the council’s Love Your Street campaign, encouraging residents to take pride in their local community.

There are a number of ways residents can get involved with this campaign, including litter picks and flower plantings.

The council will support residents in their efforts, supplying litter picks and bags for any street clean-ups and offering to collect any rubbish collected afterwards.

A resource pack to help residents coordinate and promote their events can be found online at www.northtyneside.gov.uk. 

To find out about council-run litter picks, or to organise your own, email loveyourstreet@northtyneside.gov.uk, or call 0345 2000 103.

ENDS