£16k grant helps secure bins around Killyleagh coastline

£16k grant helps secure bins around Killyleagh coastline

16 February 2022

THE Killyleagh Community Association is continuing with its drive to make the town and its coastline which nestles on the shores of Strangford Lough one of the cleanest in the district.

As a result of a £16,000 grant from the Live Here Love Here organisation, the community group has purchased 26 new litter bins which will feature school children’s artwork designed to promote anti-littering behaviour.

The funding has been made available under the Live Here Love Here’s marine litter capital grants scheme with the new bins — which have been placed in several locations — part of a strong anti-littering message.

One of the community group’s volunteers, Lindsey Armstrong, said it’s “thrilled” to have been granted the funding which has allowed it to purchase the 26 new bins, 14 of which have been installed along the coastline and made from 100% recycled climate resistant plastic.

In addition, six black metal bins have been installed to replace existing damaged litter bins, while six kids’ themed bins have been installed at the town’s play park and two primary schools.

“We are delighted that children from both Killyleagh Integrated and St. Mary’s Primary will create litter-themed art work which will be displayed on the bins to encourage residents and visitors to dispose of litter responsibly,” Lindsey continued.

“We want to reach all parts of the community in Killyleagh and especially children to instil the importance of reducing litter from a young age, to create a life habit. The project is part of a much wider anti-litter campaign by the Killyleagh Community Association. 

“Our litter picking group, the ‘Killyleagh Clean Team’ has lifted one ton of litter from the streets and seafront and we’re always on the look out for new volunteers to join us for an hour on Sunday mornings.”

Lindsey, who takes part in the clean-up with her three girls and their friends, said it’s fun and really does make a difference, not just to the beautiful town they live in, but also to marine life. 

“The Live Here Love Here team has been brilliant,” she said.

“They’ve supported us since we set up the litter picking group in September and not just with equipment. They’ve joined us for litter picks and offered advice and education about improving waterways and the marine environment for local people.” 

Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s performance operation manager, David Hanna, said the local authority is delighted to work in conjunction with the Killyleagh Community Association in its recent environmental improvement scheme. 

“The addition of the new litter bins will be a tremendous asset helping to enhance the overall appearance of the town and help attract visitors to local the area,” he said.

“I would like to thank the committee for its dedicated work throughout Killyleagh town centre and amenity areas. The association engage with local volunteers on a regular basis to carry out litter picking initiatives and this is a great example of Civic pride in the local area.” 

Since setting up the Killyleagh Clean Team’ in late August last year, the community group organises weekly litter picks with residents with up to 20 people litter picking around the town, shoreline and country roads each Sunday. 

Volunteers recently reached a major milestone in their efforts to rid the streets of litter, having collected one ton of rubbish from the streets of their town in just five months. 

Live Here Love Here manager, Helen Tomb, said it has been a great pleasure to support 17 projects this year through the marine litter capital grants scheme. 

She added: “This is a brilliant chance for people to access the capital they need to look after their local marine environment and help it flourish in the future. 

“As always, we extend our thanks to our generous and hard-working volunteers for giving us their free time to help keep Northern Ireland beautiful. We encourage as many groups as possible to reach out to us if they want to ‘Live Here Love Here’”.

Anyone interested in helping the Killyleagh Clean Team can contact the group via their Facebook page @killyleaghcleanteam