The Go Forth Stirling BID team and archaeologist Dr Murray Cook are spearheading a drive to clean up the city’s streets and improve the local environment.
They are organising a series of ‘Friends of the BID Spring Clean’ litter-picking sessions beginning on Wednesday March 26.
The volunteer-led initiatives are designed to inspire pride in Stirling and play a role in the BID’s (Business Improvement District) remit to promote a cleaner, greener city centre.
They are also part of environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Spring Clean Scotland campaign which brings people together to tackle litter during a month-long initiative.
Go Forth’s Street Ambassadors Gail Lamb and Josie Brown, who frequently remove graffiti and litter around the city, will be leading the litter-pick and supplying disposable gloves, bin bags and litter grabbers.
They’ll be joined by volunteers from the city’s business and residential communities and Stirling Council archaeologist Murray Cook.
Dr Cook, who recently won the Outstanding Contribution to Stirling honour at Go Forth’s Business Awards, will share fascinating stories about Stirling’s heritage and history as the group moves around the city improving its look. Danielle McRorie-Smith, Project Director at Go Forth Stirling BID, said:
“Ensuring Stirling is a clean and welcoming destination for visitors, residents and business owners is an important part of our remit and a key concern of our business community.
“We would love to hear from anyone interested in lending a hand so we can collectively show our love for Stirling and make a visible difference to the city centre.”
The volunteer sessions all take place between 10am and 12pm beginning on Wednesday March 26 when volunteers will concentrate on graffiti and sticker removal around the city centre and meet at Friars Street.
The next session is on Wednesday April 2 with litter picking around the Old Town and a meeting point at the Tolbooth while on Saturday April 6, the focus switches to Burghmuir Retail Park with a litter pick around the area and volunteers should meet outside Pure Gym.
There will be further litter picks on Wednesday April 9 around Cowane Street – meeting at the Travelodge.
And on Saturday April 12, volunteers will walk along the city’s historic Back Walk which was built between 1724 and 1791 and follows the outline of the old city walls. The meeting point for this session is outside Codebase on Corn Exchange Road.
Josie Brown, who is also the BID’s Events Coordinator said: “We believe our Spring Clean sessions are a wonderful opportunity for local businesses to unite with residents in taking pride in the place we all call home.”
“The time and effort from volunteers will contribute to a cleaner, greener Stirling and create a welcoming environment for visitors and the whole community.
“We’re always keen to spearhead community events like litter picking and hope as many people as possible will join our team and Dr Cook to help enhance Stirling’s environment for everyone.”
Following the Spring Clean initiative, the BID team plans to continue the volunteer sessions with a monthly maintenance day.
Anyone who would like to volunteer for one or more of the litter-picking sessions or needs more information can contact admin@goforthstirling.co.uk in advance or simply come along on the day.
Meanwhile, further efforts from Go Forth to improve Stirling’s streetscape include investing in vibrant planters which add a welcome splash of colour to the city centre each year.
The floral arrangements and planters can be found across the city in Station Road, Murray Place, Pitt Terrace and Melville Terrace and include four large perennial-filled planters on Station Road Square featuring pollinator friendly native species which promote biodiversity.
Go Forth Stirling is the city’s BID (Business Improvement District) representing more than 600 business owners with a key objective of increasing visitors to the city and devising initiatives to help make it a more welcoming destination for businesses and shoppers.
For more information, https://goforthstirling.co.uk/
