On the first May bank holiday weekend (Saturday 4th to Monday 6th), the Friends attempted the most ambitious clean-up we have ever organised, working along the whole length of the Loop from Debdale to Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and taking advantage of the late spring to reach well into the undergrowth on the side banks. Although the agreed timetable slipped due to the weight of rubbish towards the eastern end, we managed to cover almost all the sections eventually. 27 helpers took part over the three days, as well as the Whalley Range Scouts, and we removed up to ten car-loads of rubbish, separating out cans and bottles for recycling as we went. This was a worthwhile but sometimes unpleasant task, and we received many expressions of appreciation from passers-by. A suggestion from one of them was that we should have our own tailor-made ‘Who’s Working?’ signs to give us greater recognition, and we are looking into this. Again our thanks to all who took part, and especially to Dick Venes for devising and organising the weekend. We hope that it will help Rangers to continue to keep their sections of the Loop cleared, at least on the immediate verges.
