Tidying mission at River Calder in Mirfield as part of nationwide Big Paddle Clean Up
A tidying mission has taken place at the River Calder in Mirfield as part of the nationwide Big Paddle Clean Up campaign.
Members of Mirfield-based Pennine Canoe Club and Paddle UK joined forces with the MP for Spen Valley, Kim Leadbeater, as well as other volunteers and local residents, to remove litter from canals and rivers in the area.
The annual initiative supports environmental sustainability by encouraging paddlers to remove plastic pollution and litter from UK waterways, while also encouraging people to get active outdoors.
Praising the efforts of those involved, Kim said: “It was an absolute joy to join the team at Pennine Canoe Club and Ben from Paddle UK for the Big Paddle Clean Up.
“Keeping our canals and rivers clean and safe is so important for our community. It’s fantastic to see people coming together across Spen Valley to enjoy being outdoors on the water.
“Activities like this are so good for keeping our Spen Valley community happy and healthy together whilst at the same time keeping it tidy.”
The Big Paddle Clean Up is a two-week UK-wide campaign led by Paddle UK, encouraging paddlers and communities to take action in keeping waterways clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.
The 2026 event runs until Sunday, June 7.