Rugby players from the University of Bath have taken part in a community action event in the city centre to help tackle litter.
Volunteers taking part in the recent litter-pick event in Bath | Photo courtesy of B&NES Council
The student players spent part of the afternoon litter picking in support of B&NES Council’s Clean and Green team, which has been working to spruce up the River Avon path and the wider Kingsmead area.
More than 40 volunteers were split into five teams and collected 48 bags of litter.
One team worked their way through Royal Victoria Park including the Skateboard Park, the Botanic Garden, the Allotment Gardens and the Lower Common, while a second team worked from St Johns Road to Tennyson Road.
A third team were kept busy on the streets between the Royal Crescent and Marlborough Lane and Buildings, while a further two teams worked from Trim Street through the main shopping areas including Upper Borough Walls, Westgate Street, Manvers Street and Dorchester Street and the area surrounding Green Park.
Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “I’m grateful to the University of Bath for getting involved and supporting our Clean and Green campaign.
“The performance rugby programme squad did a fantastic job cleaning some of the busiest streets and parks in Bath and their hard work has really made a difference.”
The University of Bath has taken delivery of 40 litter picking kits, including hoes, shovels and brooms, on a long-term loan and will take part in another event later in the year.
Aaron James, head of rugby, Sports Development and Recreation, University of Bath, said, “Our rugby students at the University of Bath value being part of the Bath City community. As well as striving to be better rugby players, we strive to be better people through our rugby programme.
“We have a small window in our pre-season rugby programme and wanted to get involved in helping in the community.”
Tom Williams, final year student, Aerospace Engineering. Department of Mechanical Engineering, and team captain, said: “We all have a responsibility to keep the environment clean and this a great initiative that allows the squad to give back to the Bath community.”
The 12-month Clean and Green project was funded by a one-off investment of £950K from the council’s 2022/2023 budget to help clean up neighbourhoods across Bath and North East Somerset.
