Litter Fairies tackle beauty spot problem

A popular destination for walkers, day visitors and climbers alike, staff at the National Trust site have found litter a growing problem.

The biggest issue is finding large amounts of plastic food packaging and tin cans each month, left in the nooks and crannies of the rocks.

Brimham Rocks staff and volunteers, known as the litter fairies, regularly walk the property to litter pick to ensure that new people arriving on site aren’t faced with something unsightly and can themselves enjoy this natural beauty spot.

Stephanie Hinchcliffe, Visitor Services Manager at Brimham Rocks, said: “We were delighted when Forest School got in touch with us to enquiry about ways the pupils could get involved with the work of the National Trust.

“We have been thinking about the No Litter project for a while and now we have just the right partner to take it forward with.”

Forest School teacher, Sally Adams, said: “This is the first time we have worked with the National Trust and we are very excited to have developed this link.

“We chose to support the work at Brimham Rocks by volunteering as it is such an inspiringly beautiful place. The pupils are volunteering as part of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to engage them with the outdoors and to understand more about caring for special places like this.”

Litter Fairy Lucy Ibbotson, said: “I first got to know Forest School through the Knaresborough Brass Band; we take part in their yearly Christmas concerts. So, when I heard that they were coming to Brimham Rocks I immediately offered my support.

“As a volunteer with litter handling experience I can point the pupils to the best litter-picking areas and help them answer questions that the visitors might have.”

Forest school, for children with special educational needs, will be at Brimham Rocks once a fortnight to help with litter picking and raise awareness of the existing litter problem.