Almost 4,000 volunteers turn out to clear 220 sites in great voar redd up

By ROSALIND GRIFFITHS

Good weather and strong support ensured that this year’s Voar Redd Up was another success.

Organised by Shetland Amenity Trust and sponsored as in previous years by BP Sullom Voe Terminal, just short of 4,000 volunteers registered for the event. They pledged to clear over 220 individual redd up sites covering all parts of Shetland, including every inhabited isle.

After picking up and bagging debris from roadsides and beaches at the weekend, environment project officer with the amenity trust Mick Clifton said: “This was a fantastic response, and I would like to thank every single redd up volunteer – their efforts have made a significant difference to the environment of Shetland. Every single bag of bruck removed is a bag less in our environment, which not only looks unsightly but could, and does, kill wildlife.”

Volunteers from all walks of life took part, including hall committees, kirk groups, schools, youth clubs, boating clubs, local business and development organisations, as well as other community groups, individuals and families.

Mr Clifton said: “Early indications are that there was less bruck out there this year, but I still expect around 60 tonnes to be removed by volunteers. Most of it is light plastics and rope so you can imagine what a huge pile of bruck this adds up to be.”

The trust deploys four environmental improvement teams to collect the huge amount of redd up bruck for safe disposal and recycling from all parts of Shetland, including every inhabited outer isle. The redd up will continue over the next few weeks with final tonnage announced in June.

One group taking part was the Islesburgh Youth Club, which cleaned around the Clickimin area.

A club spokesman said: “It was a great activity enjoyed by all the members and allowed them to do their bit for the community. The members look forward to the redd up every year and get a great deal of satisfaction from knowing that they are helping towards providing a cleaner, safer environment for all to enjoy.”

Shetland’s representatives of the Scottish Youth Parliament Nicole Mouat and Nethan Watson also took part in the Voar Redd up.

They said they felt it was important to volunteer within their local community.