South Tyneside youngsters help to clean up Jarrow park

Members of Primrose Community Centre’s Funhouse Youth Club armed with litterpickers and bin liners headed out to Valley View park in Jarrow on Thursday.

They were accompanied by Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside Council Coun Alan and Moira Smith.

The litter pick was organised by Sue Topping, who has launched a Friends of Valley View and Springwell Park group.

The group aims to breathe new life into the park in a bid to encourage more people to use it.

The team of young people, aged between six and 13 years old, and volunteers of Primrose Youth Club collected 12 bags of rubbish from around the park.

Mrs Topping said: “It was absolutely brilliant and kids had a great time. They filled 12 bags of rubbish then after they finished they had a bit of a play in the park.

“We’ll probably be looking to do another little pick in a few weeks as they did seem to enjoy it.

“We wanted to show to people what a fantastic place we have and to encourage people to come forward and help to protect it for the future.”

A call has now gone out for more people to join the Friends of Valley View and Springwell Park.

Mrs Topping added: “We would love to have more people to come on board and help us to bid for funds and to help look after the general up keep of the park and to arrange events. We would also love to hear people’s views, whatever their age, on what they would like to see in the park, as it is their park.

For info call 424 9997.