Litter pick on the Downs

The nice people of the East Cliff Neighbourhood Panel are organising a litter pick on the Downs this Saturday 23rd Feb.

Starting from the Herne Bay Sailing Club at 10am, this litter pick will be concentrating on the eastern end of the Downs, from Canterbury Road as far as the Hundred Steps at the end of Sea View Road.

If you would like to come along and help keep the Downs lovely, please do all the sensible stuff - warm and waterproof clothes, sensible/sturdy footwear, gloves, etc. If you've got one of those magic litter-picking grab-sticks, do bring it along (we've got a few already, but more would be welcome).

You can drop me a line to let me know you're planning on coming (which makes planning and preparation a bit easier), or you can just turn up on the day.

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The intrepid pickers

What we found on the Litter Pick

Our recent litter pick was very impressive. Many, many thanks to all of you who came along. In less than a couple of hours, we collected eight sacks of rubbish from the eastern end of the Downs, including a few surprises like an arrow (!), a chunk of kitchen sink, a ping pong bat, and a very unattractive pair of Y-fronts. The mind boggles!

I think my least favourite bits of rubbish are crisp bags (which seem to be indestructible) and plastic vending machine cups, which split into dozens of white plastic sticks which then go everywhere.

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Mystery Gull

Shortly after we arrived at the car park at the end of Reculver Drive, we were befriended by a very people-friendly young gull. It turned out that this youngster is regularly on the scrounge, and has trained a number of people to turn up and feed it each morning! If you have any idea what species this is, please let us know in the comments section below.

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MYSTERY PLANTS

One of the good things about litter-picking is that your attention is focused on the ground, so you see things that would otherwise go unnoticed. Here's a couple of rather lovely plants that I spotted, and I have no idea what they are.

If any of you green-fingered botanical types can enlighten us, fill in the comments bit below.​​

Mystery Plant 1​

​Mystery Plant 2

Litter picking month!

Throughout May, we will be organising a number of litter picks across the Downs. With four and a half weekends, and a couple of public holidays, there are plenty of opportunities for you to come along, be brilliant, and make a real difference to the Downs.

Morning Picks will start at 10am, afternoon Picks at 2pm. If you're not on the Friends of the Downs' mailing list, just click here to sign up - it's quick and it's free!

Litter on the Downs is unsightly, and sometimes dangerous. By giving up a couple of hours of your spare time, you will earn yourself a warm glow of satisfaction, knowing that you have made the Downs better for everyone!