AN INNOVATIVE litterpick scheme has uncovered an array of unusual objects along one of the region’s most popular leisure routes.

A group of 20 volunteer ‘Geocachers’ of all ages came together recently for a litterpick session along the Lon Eifion cycle-path between Penygroes and the Inigo Jones Slate Works. The volunteers had come from all over north Wales and as far as the Midlands and Cheshire to take part.

‘Geocaching’ is a hobby where people with Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) play a modern treasure hunt by hiding messages and objects in outdoor spaces.

It can be described as a “high-tech” hide and seek.

The event was undertaken as part of a global initiative called “Cache in Trash Out Day” (CITO) which is an environmental initiative supported by the geocaching community.

It was held with the co-operation of Gwynedd Council’s Countryside Service and the Tidy Towns scheme, who helped with the loan of equipment and safety gear.

Gwynedd councillor for Penygroes, Judith Humphreys, said: “I’m really pleased that the Geocachers have been able to focus their litterpicking efforts this time on LÔn Eifion. “To collect two trailer loads of rubbish, much of which they’ve been able to recycle, is a great effort. Many thanks to the group for all their worthy efforts.”

Amongst the rubbish collected was a discarded water butt, a broken bicycle, a rollerblade, and a discarded traffic cone. In all the volunteers were able to fill two trailer loads of litter, with the rubbish also sorted and recycled before processing by Gwynedd Council.

Gwynedd Council’s Highways and Municipal cabinet member Gareth Wyn Griffith, who is also a Geocacher, said: “It’s great to see community groups in Gwynedd showing their appreciation of its wonderful environment by helping to tackle head-on some of its problems, such as littering and fly-tipping. I congratulate the geochachers on their continuing efforts to help tidy up Gwynedd’s green spaces.”

The geocachers would like to thank Inigo Jones Slate works and Wynnstay Country Store (Penygroes) who lent their car parking spaces to enable them to host the event.

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