Local Runners Take Action to Bash Trail Trash in Saddleworth

Local Runners Take Action to Bash Trail Trash in Saddleworth

A walk over Blackstone Edge and the Windy Hill Transmitter on Easter Bank Holiday Monday has led to a new local community initiative to clean up the trails around Saddleworth and bash the trash.

While walking across the moors, Greenfield residents Colin Green and Jane Tonge were shocked to see the amount of litter, fly tipping and general rubbish left on the trail around the Windy Hill car park in Saddleworth, near the M62. As a keen ultrarunner, Colin frequently runs along the route which is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists as part of the Pennine Way National Trail, stretching over 268 miles from Edale to Kirk Yetholm.

Colin reached out to his friends and contacts in the local running community to ask for volunteers to help clean up the area and remove the trash from this beautiful countryside. Within hours, there were 20 volunteers. These included runners, walkers and outdoor enthusiasts from Oldham and Saddleworth, and members from running clubs such as Oldham & Royton Harriers, Greenfield Greyhounds, Saddleworth Runners, Royton Road Runners, and Stainland Lions in Halifax.

Colin said: “It was amazing that so many people volunteered so quickly. Many were aware of the problem but didn’t know what to do about it as it’s too big to tackle alone. They were keen to join a proactive group of like-minded locals who wanted to clean up the area for the benefit of everyone.”

The group met on Saturday 10th April, armed with bin bags, gloves and litter pickers. They were given hi-vis bright yellow vests to wear by Colin, saying ‘Marshall’ as they were from his race organizing kit for the Dove Stone Diamond 10k which runs every May. In line with Covid security, volunteers were advised to keep 2 metres apart from people not in their own household or bubble.

Within 3 hours, the 20 volunteers collected over 60 bin bags of rubbish. They transformed the area by removing a huge quantity of discarded plastic bottles, cans, coffee cups and crisp packets. A large amount of paper was removed from wire fencing across nearby moors, and plastic sheeting embedded in mud in the car park was dug up with spades. Amongst the more unusual findings were a discarded car seat, cushions, 150 plastic 2-litre milk bottles, weighing scales, a number plate and an old Flymo!

Several volunteers took away rubbish bags in their own vehicles while a large pile of bags and heavy items such as tyres and wood were left for Calderdale Council to collect.

Inspired by their success, the group of volunteers have now set their sights on clearing other areas along trails that are blighted by litter and rubbish. Calling themselves Trail Trash Bashers, they plan to meet once a month to tackle litter hot spots and clean up the countryside for all to enjoy.

Colin and Jane have set up Facebook group ‘Trail Trash Bashers’ to bring together more local volunteers and plan clean-up projects. Over 200 people joined the group in just 2 days. The group are on Twitter @TrailTrashBash and using the hashtag #trailtrashbashers to encourage people across the country to clean up their local trails and post before/after photos to celebrate their success.

Anyone wanting to volunteer to bash the trash or suggest trail areas that need a clean-up can join the Facebook group to find out more.

Article by Jane Tonge & Colin Green at Trail Trash Bash