The last Sunday of every month is our Monthly Litterpick and Volunteer Day

Next one will be Sunday, 30th August 2020 

As usual meet up at the car park on the common below the Twmp at about 10.30am.

Last weekend, Sunday 26th July, was the first litter pick we had up Twmbarlwm since the start of the Coronavirus lockdown in March – we didn’t promote it as a full Society event due to the restrictions still in place – but nevertheless, ten willing volunteers turned up and did a great job tidying up around the car park.

We had to make sure we all kept our distance and only worked in pairs from the same household – and we had hand wipes and sanitiser ready to clean down the equipment we used. We didn’t supply tea and biscuits on this occasion but everyone was happy to bring their own.

The area was in sore need of a bit of TLC. Apart from the usual fast food detritus there were a couple of piles of burnt out domestic rubbish including matresses and even a TV which we bagged up as best we could. All together we collected about twenty bags of rubbish to leave for the council to collect. Also a few of the volunteers went off around the wider area to the top of the mountain collecting litter as they went along.

Shout out for CCBC

As usual, the following day we reported the collection to the council and true to their word they collected it the very same day – thanks very much Caerphilly County Borough Council – they often get knocked on social media, but most of the time they do a very good supporting our efforts on Twmbarlwm – which is more than can be said for the louts who drive their rubbish and filthy habits up there in the first place.

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Want to get involved in the future?

We collect litter from all round the lower common from the cattle grid to the area around the car park.

Some volunteers are chosen to walk around the wider area to the top of the Twmp and along the ridgeway, collecting litter but also checking fences, walls, paths etc. that may need attention. We effect any repairs if we are able or make a note of any problems that may need future action.

Hi-Viz Vests, Tools, Pickers, Bags and Gloves will be supplied – but you are welcome to provide you own.

More importantly tea and biscuits will be provided for everyone who helps out.

There’s always lots of little tasks to do, and we also have a good natter too.

Much more than just being a litter pick – this is a great opportunity to meet other members and learn more about the area and the work that the Society gets involved with.

Even if you don’t want to get involved in the physical activities we encourage everyone interested in the work of the Society to turn up and have a natter.

It’s often surprising how many people drive up Twmbarlwm just to go for a countryside walk – they come from far and wide. Most visitors will stop for a chat and are often interested in the work we do and want to learn more about the mountain.

If you prefer not to drive up the mountain yourself we can often arrange pick ups at Risca Leisure Centre at 10:15am – please contact us to let us know if you would like a lift or indeed if you could offer others a lift.

Please remember to dress appropriately for the terrain and weather. We are properly insured but you will be expected to be aware of your own safety and act responsibly

HOW TO GET THERE

Click here if you don’t know how to get to the car park – there’s an easy to follow map for you to download.

If you can’t drive up there please contact us via email and we’ll try to arrange some transport for you. Similarly if you are able to offer anybody a lift please let us know.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE RUBBISH

We collect litter into bags supplied to us by Keep Wales Tidy and we have to report to them the quantity we collect every month – including taking a group photo to prove what we collect.

We also separate out anything recyclable (glass and tin cans) and, if not too bulky, take it with us to the nearest recycling bank.

We have to leave the collected rubbish in an area CCBC can easily access it – and we inform the council the following day of the amount and nature of what we collect.

Very often there are piles of household fly-tipping – we tidy that up as much as we can to make it easier for the council to collect but we have to be very aware of the health issues that may be involved in handling some rubbish – so if you do come along please be responsible and contact an organiser of the day before handling any dubious articles. 

Over the years we have lobbied the council for a more convenient way of getting the rubbish from the area – we have tried getting permission to take a trailer fo the collected rubbish to the civic amenities site – but, to date, we have not been successful in coming to any other arrangement – the fight goes on.