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May 2023

Last Updated: 08/05/2023

Community

The Big Help Out: Starbeck residents brave the rain to volunteer

by Tamsin O'Brien

| 08 May, 2023

starbeck-volunteers-clearing-pathway-copy

More than double the number of people expected turned up to help tidy up Starbeck in the pouring rain this morning.

The volunteers were part of UK's The Big Help Out which encouraged people to try some voluntary work on the third day of The King’s Coronation celebrations.

Starbeck's community rose to the occasion and this morning, despite the weather, a small army of more than 100 people turned up at St Andrew's Church to help out - some doing some pretty tough jobs.

The event was supported by the Starbeck Residents Association, Starbeck in Bloom, Starbeck Lights and the church.

Adrienne Amos, one of the organisers, told the Stray Ferret that plans had begun back in January:

"Once the new year had started we realised that it was going to come around very quickly. Phil our vicar offered the church as a hub and we know that lots of people in Starbeck are very community minded.

"We met all the different groups and decided that the easiest thing to do was to simplify it so we have gardeners who are edging and weeding, we have got street furniture cleaners and litter pickers."

The Lancaster family, mum Sarah, dad Phil and Nina 13, Sol 12 and Reuben 9 all came along to help - their designated task was to litter pick along Spa Lane.

Sarah said:

"You can just put a little bit into the community to improve it and do some good in the world and it is good for the soul - it doesn't matter where you live, you can put something back."

Reuben, who is a local cub, told the Stray Ferret that he didn't mind being dragged out on a wet Monday "it's good for the environment" he said.

Edging the pathway seemed to be the toughest job on offer. Ben Nichols, one of those braving a bad back tomorrow said the King's event had pushed him into doing something he'd been meaning to do for ages:

"This is my first time volunteering properly. I've been wanting to do it for a really long time. It was that final little push- everyone is getting involved and there are more things going on. It's a nicer way to get everyone involved."

Valley Gardens, Harrogate

Across Harrogate, in Valley Gardens, Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) had set up a stall with leaflets of information and advice on where to get involved - the organisation has a volunteer directory on its website.

Karen Weaver, from HADCA (pictured below) said:

"We're here as part of The Big Help Out, and it's all about getting people to think about what you can do in your community. It doesn't have to be a regular commitment, it can be one-off. There are all sort of possibilities - our online directory has more than 200 opportunities to get involved in the district so there is something for everyone whatever your interest."

Oatlands

A free barbecue, drinks, children's crafts, face paints and coronation cakes helped the community in Oatlands celebrate the Big Help Out.

Organised by volunteers from Oatlands Community Group, the event helped to highlight the facilities on offer at the community centre and the activities it hosts on a regular basis.

From community meals for people living along to baby bundle evenings packing up donations to the special care baby unit at Harrogate District Hospital, the venue is used for events throughout the month - along with private hire for birthday parties and more.

Today proved popular with locals, with dozens of families visiting this afternoon.

Organiser Vic Smith-Dunn said:

"It has been really great. We're fortunate we could do a lot of it indoors and the barbecue was under the gazebo, so the rain didn't matter.

"I was worried people would stay away because of the weather but they haven't. It has been a lovely afternoon."