ENVIRONMENTALISTS in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area being sought to help clean up the region’s waterways.

Next week, residents from Blaenau Ffestiniog and the surrounding areas are invited to help clean up and improve the Du Bach river that has become unkempt over the years.

The event will take place on Wednesday, 30 March, at 10am and volunteers are asked to meet by the playground at Cwmbowydd Road where they will work along the river bank to dispose of litter which has accumulated over the years.

The event is organised by Y Dref Werdd, a Big Lottery Fund-backed project working with the local community to help alleviate poverty.

It forms part of their wider regeneration initiatives to improve and maintain the environment and widen community participation in Bro Ffestiniog, and builds on its previous successes.

One such success was the Bro Ffestiniog River’s Trust – which worked towards improving the ecological standard of the four main rivers in the area – including attempts to resurrect the Barlwyd river, which due to its water quality, is classed as a ‘dead’ river.

The aim of the river activity is to ensure that the Du Bach river rema­ins ecologically healthy and has been part of a renewed effort over the last year to improve the ecological quality of local rivers in order to recognise them as important resou­rces to our community.

Y Dref Werdd’s environmental project officer Daniel Gwyn said: “After the success of our previous river clean-up, held on 2 September last year, we thought it would be a good idea to move our focus onto the Du Bach.

“It has been neglected for quite a while now and has accumulated a fair bit of litter on its banks including the water body itself.

“It would be a shame if we were to resign another of Blaenau’s rivers to suffer the same fate as the Barlwyd and it gives the community a great opportunity to see first-hand how threatened our river systems are due to negligence.”

If you would like to take part, contact Dref Werdd on 01766 830082, or join in on the day.