News

Jun 06, 2025

Shopping trolleys, bikes, and a tent pulled from Weaver during clean-up operation

SHOPPING trolleys, bicycles, and a pop-up tent were among the items fished out of the River Weaver during a four-hour clean-up operation. Taking part in the nation 'Big Paddle Clean-up', Sea Cadets

SHOPPING trolleys, bicycles, and a pop-up tent were among the items fished out of the River Weaver during a four-hour clean-up operation.

Taking part in the nation 'Big Paddle Clean-up', Sea Cadets from Northwich, Winsford, and Middlewich - TS Portland - set off upriver from Winsford Flash Sailing Club in canoes on Friday, May 30.

Armed with paddles and litter-pickers, the 15-strong team took to the water gather waste from the Weaver.

And alongside the tent, two shopping trolleys, and three bicycles, the cadets and adult staff managed to fill up several bags of general rubbish during their efforts.

Petty Officer (SCC) Paul Preston, who was the officer in charge of the unit, was delighted with the difference the cadets made.

Andrew Littler, the chairman of the Winsford, Middlewich and Northwich Sea Cadets, added: "We wanted to join in and contribute to the community spirit.

“The group love stuff like this, and we have a great group of youngsters

“We have had tremendous feedback from people who have very much appreciated what we have done, and it's noticeable and certainly made a difference to the river."

The Sea Cadets is a non-profit organisation with members aged from 10 to 18, supported by adult volunteers.

Each year, the cadets aim to go out and clean the rivers as part of the national ‘Big Paddle Clean-up’.

The annual event is organised by Paddle UK to remove litter and plastic waste from UK waterways.

Andrew also highlighted the importance of keeping rivers clean.

He added: "Being Sea Cadets, we are out on the water a lot.

"We are out on Friday and often as we can on weekends, and we go with a 'leave no trace' type of thinking.

"We hope others do too, but some don’t, so we have taken it upon ourselves to look after the river that we use."

Anyone interested in the Sea Cadets, including potential volunteers, can contact the TS Portland unit via [email protected] or the Facebook page.

More information is available on the Sea Cadets' website at sea-cadets.org/winsfordmiddlewich/