'Following on from an organised river bank clean up in May, when local Police Officer Mike Whyte organised a group of residents from Banchory to assist with an afternoons work tidying up the river bank. It was decided to do a subsequent clear up later in the summer. PC Whyte organised another afternoon’s work for volunteers on Sunday and I went along to participate again. I was really thrilled to see 8 young men from Banchory put themselves forward to participate with the clear up. Carol Douglas, Community Learning Worker, had persuaded them to help out and she advised, ’ All 8 of the young men are members of the Banchory Skate Park Development Group (coordinated by me) and their ultimate aim is to have a new skate park built in the village. In the meantime they are taking up any opportunity to get more involved in volunteering work that enables them to contribute to their community. Their efforts can contribute to their completion of an MV Award Certificate and the volunteering part of their D of E award.’
The assembled group of helpers with the 10 refuse sacks of rubbish collected - mostly broken glass. |
Anyway the local heroes from the skate park worked diligently and carefully, removing the dangerous debris from the river bank, and were a delight to work with. I thank them for giving so generously of their time and I do hope the local people get behind this group of fine upstanding young men and help them get a skate park in the village. P.C Whyte is to be applauded for his initiatives in trying to engage constructively with the local youths from Banchory. The team in the river office have a close working relationship with the local police force and officers like Mike Whyte deserve recognition, respect and all our thanks for working diligently in trying to deliver a nicer, safer community for us all to enjoy.'
Ken Reid, Fisheries Development Officer, River Dee Board
The guys look like they done a great job! We as anglers have a responsibility to look after our waterways, keep them litter free, and maintain the good name we have as conservationists and custodians of our environment. We urge all GAC customers to spend just five minutes of your session picking up any litter you can find around your swim and bin it properly - regardless of who left it there! Remember to cut any waste fishing line into short lengths that wildlife won't get tangled up in. It's the usual case of the minority giving the majority a bad name, but the anti-angling lobby, the press and the general public don't distinguish between responsible and irresponsible anglers - the finger is pointed at us all!
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