Litter Picking on Whitley Bay Sands and Seafront

Rotary Service Day – Or Picking Our Way Between Storms?

Wednesday 23 February 2022 is to be ‘Rotary Service Day’ in which clubs up and down the country offered their services to the community.

Here in Whitley Bay we decided to do something on Saturday 19 February and so we organised a seaside litter pick with the help of North Tyneside Council who supplied the ‘grabbers’, bin bags and a collection point for the rubbish collected. Whitley Bay Rotary Club supplied the people power, humour, laughter, comradeship and the opportunity to do something positive in our community.

Our erstwhile leader, President Liz was delighted to greet sixteen Rotarians, their friends and partners on a quiet spring morning between storms Dudley and Eunice so somebody was for once, smiling on our activities!!

Liz thanked everyone for coming on a cold day when nobody knew what the weather
would throw at us….saying at the end of the pick;

"We’ve had a really great time and it was super to chat to fellow Rotarians and friends and help to keep our beach and seaside front clean and well done to a sharp-eyed Carolyn who found a £10 note which is now in our treasure’s coffers!
Thanks to the many members who chatted with the public and explained what we were doing and again helping to raise the profile of our organisation in the town.
We only had one downside, when two members of the public asked if we would take dog poo?!?!....this was declined, but in the spirit of Rotary they were directed to the appropriate doggy bin!!!
And a special thanks to our Secretary Brian for his excellent liaison with North Tyneside council and for organising all the bits and bobs."

Summing up the mornings activities fellow Rotarian John said it all for those of us there;

"A really enjoyable morning well organised and well supported by Rotary and friends. It ticked all the boxes, fellowship and community service whilst raising the profile of Rotary, and all without rattling a tin!....not to mention the twenty odd bags of litter we collected, mind we could do with stronger bags next time!!"

So, perhaps Rotary will see you once again on the sea front at Whitley Bay in the near future……

And if you are interested in our activities and would like to know more, please visit our website: enquiries@whitleybayrotaryclub.co.uk or our Facebook page; whitleybay rotary.