A team of 20 young people working with a YHA volunteering initiative has successfully tackled a tide of trash on a popular Pembrokeshire beach. As sunbathers tried to soak up the rays last week, the group of 11 to 16-year-olds from Knighton, Presteigne, Llandrindod Wells and Rhayader, bagged bottles and got rid of wrappers, and even planks of wood, during the beach clean at Manorbier. The clean-up was arranged by the Youth Hostels Association (England and Wales) in partnership with Powys County Council Youth Service. It was one of a series of clean-ups which YHA has staged at six Welsh beaches throughout the spring and summer months, and was part of the Radnorshire Summer Scheme activities programme for young people. YHA volunteer co-ordinator for Wales, Leisa Forrest, said: "The beach clean-ups have been a fantastic way of engaging young people in Wales, as well as local communities. Working with these young people from Powys has been a really positive experience for us. They did a fantastic job and you could tell from their faces that they had a really good day at the seaside. "We all enjoy a trip to the beach, but it's increasingly difficult to find one that isn't affected by litter. It doesn't only spoil what could be a great day out, but it poses a danger to marine wildlife. "We'll be organising more of the clean-ups and we're looking forward to involving more young people." The charity's VALVE (Valuing Volunteering and Enterprise) initiative, which is supported by the Community Fund, has been allocated six beaches close to Youth Hostels under the Marine Conservation Society's adopt-a-beach scheme. Anyone who wants to take part in future clean-ups should contact Leisa Forrest by telephoning 01792 310040.
