Despite threatening skies and the odd downpour, over 30 people came to help clean-up Chessel Bay at the October Tidal Tidy on Saturday (Oct 21), reports the Friends group.
Pic from previous clean-up
Article continues after this message...
Although a large collection of assorted objects and bin bags piled up, they said there was a general feeling that things might be improving, not least after social enterprise firm “Nurdle” removed around four tonnes of micro-plastics from the Bay earlier in the year.
Local volunteer Rose Nicole said: “We hope the overall amount of debris washed up along the shoreline is declining – certainly the pile of rubbish collected on Saturday looked smaller than at previous clean-ups.
“However, there’s still plenty to do, and there are encouraging signs of renewed interest in cleaning up our City river in every respect. Meanwhile, very many thanks to the volunteers who turn up in all weathers to tidy up Chessel Bay.”
Friends of Chessel Bay say they will continue to beaver away at Southampton’s riverside Local Nature Reserve and along the tidal Itchen too.
If you’d like to help at future clean-ups, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bags filled by 'Nurdle' after their clean-up - it includes all manner of microplastics not just nurdles.