MP saluting clean-up work
ATEAM of volunteers who banded together to clean up the community have met with an MP who was keen to discover their excellent progress.
Mike Amesbury, MP for Weaver Vale, was eager to learn about community environmental projects transforming places and people across his constituency.
He met James Coates from River Angels and associated groups Alley Angels, Trolley Angels and Litter Angels, whose volunteers are making a difference in Runcorn, Frodsham, Northwich, and beyond.
One project has included working alongside young people with mental health issues living at Dane House, Northwich, to clear up the nearby riverside.
James, himself a volunteer and Keep Britain Tidy ambassador, whose day job is regeneration and community co-ordinator for Your Housing, said: “River Angels is all about transforming canals and rivers into safe, clean, enjoyable places for people to live, work and visit.
“We worked with young people from SIS Dane House in their twenties, thirties and forties and their amazing support workers like Glen.”
James, a former firefighter, who lives in Frodsham but grew up in Brookvale, Runcorn, added: “The primary goal is all about tackling environmental crime whether it’s litter, fly-tipping, abandoned shopping trolleys, graffiti, dog fouling.
“But there are some lovely secondary benefits that naturally come from those young people taking on responsibility. They improve their confidence, motivation and selfesteem.
“Some have lost weight, some have embraced their passions and some have even got jobs.”
In Runcorn, James has challenged Mr Amesbury to track down the owners of a railway ventilation shaft targeted by vandals and to support a project to transform the Riddings Lane subway.
In Northwich, he would like help in tackling an overgrown walkway subject to fly-tipping.
In Frodsham, James would love the MP’s support in bringing an unadopted street Kydds Wint, off Church Street, up to standard because it has become a trip hazard.
Mr Amesbury, who in turn would like to work with the Angels to clear up alleyways in Northwich town centre, said: “It was great to meet up with James and the River Angels and I’d like to thank him for all he’s been doing in the community.
“There have been some great projects that started in Brookvale, Runcorn, but have also included a river clean-up project in Northwich and litter picking in Frodsham in partnership with The Frombles.
“We’ve each set each other a couple of challenges. But it’s not about us as individuals. It’s everyone working together to ensure our community becomes an even better place.”
To find out more about River Angels and to get involved, visit @ RiverAngelsTeam on Twitter or email: riverangels@yahoo.com.