Asylum seekers join community for litter pick

Asylum seekers from the Bibby Stockholm joined local volunteers for a litter pick on Chesil Beach Portland that collected more than 20 bags of rubbish.

The group collected litter from Chesil Beach and the surrounding pathways, roads and verges in Underhill, Portland.

Taking place on Sunday, June 30 from 10am to 12pm a group of around 30 people, including 10 asylum seekers currently housed on the Bibby Stockholm barge, took part in a litter pick on Chesil Beach, Portland.

This is the third event of its kind organised by Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project and Portland Global Friendship group.

Read more: Asylum seekers join local community in major clean up

Speaking of the event, Annie Pugh-Jones from Tophill Portland and a Portland Global Friendship Group volunteer said: “Despite persistent drizzle the group gathered over twenty bags of rubbish."

Locals showed their appreciation with smiles and thank yous. An asylum seeker volunteer said: “We appreciate the beauty of the Island and want to keep it clean”.

The Marine Litter Project is based in Wyke Regis and is a community interest company founded by local environmentalists Jane Fuhrmann and Dave Taylor.

Dave Taylor said; “Today we were at Chiswell cleaning Chesil Beach and across to Portland castle for this month's community event.

"A huge pile of rubbish was collected as usual, before it reached the sea.

"We were joined today by a dedicated bunch of locals, young and old, who braved the rain and by children's book author, Amanda Boulding.”