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Celebration event planned for 10th anniversary of Big Dee Day

Published: 05/08/2016

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Big Dee Day, the annual clean-up along the banks of the River Dee, a special event will be held to celebrate everything connected with the river and its communities, past and present. The REALLY Big Dee Day will be held at Edgar’s Field Park in Handbridge, Chester on Saturday, 17 September from 11am to 3pm. This family event has been organised through a collaboration across the boundary between Wales and England for the benefit of all the local communities living beside the river. It will see organisations and groups from across Cheshire West and North Wales come together to celebrate the occasion with activities and displays for everyone to enjoy. The annual Big Dee Day clean-up, organised by Cheshire West and Chester Council, Flintshire Council, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales, promises to be bigger and better than ever for its 10 year anniversary. Councillor Aaron Shotton, Leader of Flintshire County Council said: “Flintshire County Council is proud to be involved in celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Big Dee Day. “Since its inception in 2007, more and more businesses, community groups and volunteers are getting involved and I would like acknowledge their invaluable assistance in helping to keep our coastline clean for visitors and wildlife.” Cheshire West and Chester Council Council Leader, Councillor Samantha Dixon said: “I’ve been involved with Big Dee Day for some years now and, as the number of volunteers and partners grows, it’s developed from litter picking along the banks of the Dee to include bulb planting, bench painting and the maintenance of hedges, paths and trees. “It’s fitting that for the 10th anniversary we are holding a celebration event to bring together individuals, organisations and businesses that have a connection with our wonderful river. “I hope as many people as possible will be able to come along to join the celebration.” Carys Bebb, Environment Officer for Natural Resources Wales, said: “The River Dee is such an important resource for us in north Wales and we work hard to protect it. “It provides drinking water for millions of people, is a great habitat for wildlife with salmon migrating here to spawn and supports industry across the area. “It is also a somewhere for people to go and enjoy our natural environment so the Big Dee Day is really important to keep it clean and rubbish free.” Jo Holden, Catchment Coordinator for the Environment Agency said: “It’s really important for people to be able to enjoy the outdoor space they have access to. That’s why last year we created a new footpath for residents from Blacon to access Greyhound Retail Park. This year we’re going to be doing some general maintenance, removing litter from the area and making it even better!” More than 157 bags of litter plus 18 large items - including shopping trolleys, bikes, plastic chairs, a toilet cistern and a compositing bin - were collected during last year’s event in Cheshire West. Although parking is limited in Handbridge, Edgar’s Field Park is just a short walk from the centre of city. Information about parking, bus timetables and the new cross-city park and ride service can be found on the Cheshire West and Chester Council website: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk. Notes to editors: The Big Dee Day has been an annual event since 2007. The idea first began on Talacre beach when Flintshire Countryside Service and partners BHP Billiton, Presthaven Sands, Talacre Beach Club, the local community and Natural Resources Wales decided to survey the beach to help highlight marine litter and the damage it can do. Since then, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Denbighshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council, Wirral Borough Council, the Environment Agency and Snowdonia National Park, plus many other volunteers and local businesses – including Airbus, Kingspan and Kimberley Clark – have also got involved and the event has gone from strength to strength.