by Laura Giannini
No prizes for guessing what the Leven Litter Pickers do.
They are an active and prolific group of volunteers, that first came together way-back in the spring of 2021.
The core members, who are still active in the group, met in Alexandria in response to an article in the Community Advertiser which complained of the degradation of the banks of the River Leven and asked anyone who felt the same to join together to improve the situation.
They are still working to do so.
That little group asked Cula Murphy to take on the administration and tasks such as creating a Whatsapp group to coordinate members, liaising with the council, organising time, dates
and areas for targeted clean ups for the LLPs and working together with other groups.
In doing this, Cula also gave the group their name.
“We needed an easy to remember moniker to identify us with the local authorities, Leven Litter Pickers needed no explanations, so that was it.”
Tidy River Banks
The original group of six including Peter Robinson and Eve Gartshore, who have since taken on some of the admin, are still regulars.
And it has now grown to +30 volunteers, including 20 regulars.
Cula has managed to obtain picker tools, bags, and hoops from WDC and Sustrans, to help with collection, plus a storage unit.
She also managed to get more bins placed along the banks of the river.
Many walkers will no doubt have noticed the bright green closed bins, affectionately called green frogs.
“We feel these extra containers have made a real difference. I think the public responds when it is possible to do so. We really think the river banks are tidier,” Cula said when we met.
Some of the LLP volunteers, like Bob Cross and Al Ferguson, pitch in with particularly heavy tasks such as removing tyres and shopping trolleys from the river – “you wouldn’t believe just how many of them there are.”
Lifebelt Rescue
The LLPs also make a special effort to rescue the multiple lifebelts that less responsible members of the community repeatedly toss into the river.
Rescuing them means the life belts can be refurbished and put back into use so they are available when needed to save a life.
In 2024, this active, dedicated group deservedly won the Viva Award for Best Volunteer Organising Group from West Dunbartonshire Council.
Eve accepted the award on behalf of the LLPs and, as they do on every occasion, appealed for more volunteers.
“There seems to be no end to those who feel it is acceptable to toss take-away containers, wrappers, plastic bottles, dog poop bags etc at their feet, so we always need more of us to help prevent our beautiful area turning into a giant open bin.”
Cula also asked to include an appeal for new litter-pickers in this article.
“We are very friendly, flexible and supportive group. There is no structural hierarchy, and we never ask anyone to attend when it doesn’t suit.
“Everyone gives what they are comfortable doing, when it suits them. It’s a satisfying way of getting out.
“It’s good exercise bending and stretching without pressure, at your own pace. Some of our members are keen photographers and the litter-picking fits in easily.
“Most of all it is so satisfying, you immediately see the difference you’re making to your environment.”
Special Projects
The Leven Litter Pickers also team up for special projects with other clean-up groups such as Bonhill and Dalmonach Community Group and Jeremy Watson, a lone campaigner, who
picks-up litter in the Balloch area.
“There are plenty of opportunities if you want to start in your own area,” Cula added.
The constancy of the group along the banks of the Leven from Dunbarton to Balloch has brought them to face another, different type of pollutant – the invasive, destructive Himalayan
Balsam (also known as the mock orchid).
This fast-growing plant is proliferating along the banks of the Leven and into Balloch Park.
It outranks, and therefore destroys, the natural local fauna.
The Leven Litter Pickers have decided they want to try to limit this alien expansion.
During the spring and summer some of the group and any volunteers who would like to join them, even just for this green project, will try to stop the growth and seeding of the balsam.
Again, and finally, come join when, how and where it suits you – you’ll notice the difference.
For more information email – Le****************@*****ok.com or message on Facebook
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