Ebbw Vale Students Help To Keep Wales Tidy
Get your gloves on and those bin bags ready – that was the message to students at Coleg Gwent’s Ebbw Vale Campus.
More than 60 students who are studying Business Studies, IT, Care and Public Services courses recently (Tuesday 22 April) did their bit for the local community as they took part in the Blaenau Gwent Heads of the Valley Spring Clean.
John Parsons, Blaenau Gwent Councils Director of Environement said:
“We had a great response from local volunteers and organisations from across Blaenau Gwent. Volunteers of all ages got involved and with our support, helped to make this year’s Heads of the Valleys Spring Clean a great success in our area, and we would like to say thank you to everyone who took part.
"We also want to send out a clear message that dropping litter and fly-tipping is unacceptable - we want those who drop litter to stop. Blaenau Gwent Council has a good record of tackling fly-tipping and whenever we gather evidence against offenders we prosecute.
“Every effort and every contribution to the Heads of the Valleys Spring Clean will help to enhance our environment.”
Tom Richards, project officer for Keep Wales Tidy said: “Today’s youngsters are often criticised and demonised for their anti-social behaviour, but these youngsters have set an excellent example for their peers to follow. To achieve a better, cleaner safer Wales we all need to take action immediately. Tomorrow is too late.”
Working with Keep Wales Tidy, the students did a big litter pick focusing on the areas surrounding the campus grounds. “It was a great event,” said Business Studies lecturer Sarah Adlam. “As part of their extra curricular studies, the students often take part in community events, so to get involved in something like this was perfect. It was a chance for them to do their bit for the community, as well as develop their team building and communications skills.”
23 year old Business Studies student Michael Sullivan said: “By us taking part in events like these, we can encourage other people to help to keep areas important to them clean and tidy, which will help to keep Blaenau Gwent a safe and clean place to live.”
In the afternoon Public Services students also did their bit to keep Wales tidy. The made their way to Clydach Gorge to clean up the area surrounding the river, which includes a natural cave and a series of waterfalls.
