Many thanks to the willing band of ramblers who collected litter over the last mile of our Waunfawr walk on 21st January. I have been trying to get some coverage in the Herald, including a group photo with the five bulging bags of rubbish that we collected, but no luck so far.
On a dry and fairly bright day we had more than twenty walkers out for the morning section of the figure of eight walk. This climbed the hills west of the Afon Gwyrfai before dropping down to the church at Betws Garmon for the return leg to Waunfawr where we had an excellent lunch at Antur Waunfawr. Most of us don't often meet people with difficulties, so it was good to see and talk to the willing team of helpers in the cafe, and see other groups out working in the gardens and work sheds.
The afternoon loop saw us crossing the Afon Gwyrfai north west of Waunfawr before walking up to Tryfan Junction on the WHR line. We then then followed the lane and track on what was old road from Bontnewydd, up to the Rhosgadfan road. It was on the descent from here when doing the rece walk that I had seen all the litter, and thought that with a little effort we could make things look a lot better.
The fifteen walkers who did the afternoon section were no doubt a little surprised when I suggested the litter pick, but equipped with disposable gloves they were soon making a big difference. It's nice to report that since then, pedaling up the hill (and walking - it's very steep in places!), the roadsides now look totally different. Gwynedd Council speedily cleared some bags of old plaster that we discovered, within days of it being reported to them, and hopefully they will be clearing the litter from the top section of the road. Anyone who walks or cycles will know that the litter situation on roadside verges is becoming worse, but at least for a while we have improved the appearance of one small country road.