Many hands make light work - and park look good as new...
When a local Councillor wanted a helping hand to clean up a local amenity, he knew just where to turn.
Brambles & Thorntree ward Councillor Graham Wilson has spearheaded recent efforts to turn the tide on a spate of fly-tipping, arson and vandalism that has blighted Spencerbeck Beck.
And to keep on top of the issue, he put out an invitation to Outwood Academy Ormesby to help with a litter blitz at Thorntree Park.
A 23-strong team - led by Learning Manager Andrew Bezance - arrived on site on Wednesday morning, where they were provided with litter pickers and rubbish sacks.
And in just a couple of hours the Year 7 and 8 students had filled an impressive 24 bags of rubbish, rounded up a shopping trolley and a discarded chair and left the park looking good as new.
The Academy is launching its own Forest School sessions in September, with green issues and tree planting already popular with students.
Mr Bezance said: "Litter picks like this are a great way to help students understand why parks and open spaces are important to the local community, and why we all need to look after them.
"They can see for themselves the effects of littering and vandalism and do their bit to turn the tide.
"It's also a chance to give something back, and help keep the area nice for the people who live here."
Cllr Graham Wilson said: "We explained to the students why it's important to keep the litter down.
"The work they've done is fantastic and it's made a real difference to the Park, and I know local people will be really grateful for their efforts.
"They're a credit to themselves, their school and the whole community."
When a local Councillor wanted a helping hand to clean up a local amenity, he knew just where to turn.
Brambles & Thorntree ward Councillor Graham Wilson has spearheaded recent efforts to turn the tide on a spate of fly-tipping, arson and vandalism that has blighted Spencerbeck Beck.
And to keep on top of the issue, he put out an invitation to Outwood Academy Ormesby to help with a litter blitz at Thorntree Park.
A 23-strong team - led by Learning Manager Andrew Bezance - arrived on site on Wednesday morning, where they were provided with litter pickers and rubbish sacks.
And in just a couple of hours the Year 7 and 8 students had filled an impressive 24 bags of rubbish, rounded up a shopping trolley and a discarded chair and left the park looking good as new.
The Academy is launching its own Forest School sessions in September, with green issues and tree planting already popular with students.
Mr Bezance said: "Litter picks like this are a great way to help students understand why parks and open spaces are important to the local community, and why we all need to look after them.
"They can see for themselves the effects of littering and vandalism and do their bit to turn the tide.
"It's also a chance to give something back, and help keep the area nice for the people who live here."
Cllr Graham Wilson said: "We explained to the students why it's important to keep the litter down.
"The work they've done is fantastic and it's made a real difference to the Park, and I know local people will be really grateful for their efforts.
"They're a credit to themselves, their school and the whole community."
- Anyone with information on fly-tipping, vandalism, criminal damage and arson is asked to contact the Council's contact centre on 01642 726001 or Cleveland Police on 101.
