Successful river clean removes decades-old debris from Vallis Vale

FROME residents came together recently for a day of river cleaning in Vallis Vale along the River Mells, popular with dog walkers and nature lovers alike.

The clean-up took place was organised and led by Ed Pitman from Transform ESG, an environmental consultancy based in Mells, with support from Vincent Pitt, operations manager at Whatley Quarry and Martin Blain, chairman of the Frome & District Angling Association (FADAA).

Alongside a team of volunteers, the group removed two van loads of rubbish, including abandoned washing machines, sodden mattresses, reels of barbed wire and food wrappers dating back over 20 years.

“Vallis Vale is a beautiful place for locals and visitors to experience and this clean-up made sure it stayed that way for a little while longer,” says Ed Pitman. “While it’s a shame it reached the point it did, it’s amazing what we can do when we combine efforts in days like this.

“Vincent Pitt from Whatley Quarry helped to make sure everything ran smoothly on the day, responsibly disposing the piles of rubbish collected, while Martin Blain and the FADAA got their hands dirty.

“By publishing our story, we hope to inspire other communities and local businesses to come together and take action to protect their natural surroundings. It also shines a light on the importance of collective accountability and effort when it comes to preserving our environment for future generations.”