Community clean-up sparks beginning of transformation at Mirehouse
Children from St Gregory & St Patrick’s Catholic Infant School helping collect the litter from around Mirehouse
A fantastic community effort has kick-started exciting plans to transform Mirehouse into a thriving space for both people and nature by West Cumbria Rivers Trust. The massive clean-up event brought together 14 dedicated adults and 42 enthusiastic children from St Gregory & St Patrick’s Catholic Infant School (along with their teachers), all working side by side to make a real difference.
In total, volunteers cleared an astonishing 27 bags of rubbish, alongside two abandoned mattresses, two bicycles, scooters, toys, hundreds of cans and bottles, crisp packets, and even a small bird’s skull discovered by some curious young litter-pickers! The atmosphere was energetic and infectious, with many people staying far longer than they intended - drawn in by the visible impact of their hard work.
The event not only cleared a huge amount of litter but also brought the community together, building pride and respect for this precious green space at the heart of Mirehouse. Studies show that cleaner environments deter further littering, and the team is hopeful this effort will be a turning point for the transformation of the area. Despite the rubbish, volunteers were amazed by the number of birds and wildfowl still using the space - a positive sign for nature's resilience. And with glorious weather on the day, spirits were sky-high!
Thanks go to Lara from Whitehaven Ship-Shapers for her fantastic support and inspiring energy, the Cumberland Council team for their practical help and supplies, Marc Goodwin and staff from Mott MacDonald, and Councillors Mike Hawkins and Graham Minshaw for their hands-on involvement.
The team cited that this was just the beginning however. More clean-up dates are scheduled with plans to continue monthly as part of a long-term effort to create healthier, more usable spaces for both the community and wildlife. April’s dates will be:
Wed 16 April 10am-1pm
Wed 23 April 1-4pm
Wed 30 April 10am-1pm
The team would love to see you - whether you can stay for the whole session or just drop in for a short while, every bit of help makes a difference!
As the transformation continues, the community is also being encouraged to play an active role in keeping the area clean and welcoming. The hope is that, in time, there will be less need for regular litter picking – a sign of shared respect for this beautiful space. But until then, the team remains committed to stepping in where needed.
Everyone can play a part in protecting this special place. Small everyday actions – like always binning your rubbish, picking up after your dog, and taking dog poo bags home or to the nearest bin – make a big difference. During the recent clean-up, volunteers collected hundreds of discarded dog poo bags, a reminder that simple acts of responsibility go a long way in keeping our shared spaces healthy and safe for all.
By working together, we can protect the places we love – not just through organised events, but through everyday care and consideration. A cleaner Mirehouse benefits us all, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together.
West Cumbria Rivers Trust is currently working closely with Cumberland Council to explore ways to further improve the area for everyone to enjoy and would like to thank project sponsors Sellafield Social Impact Multiplied (Six.).