Celebrating the River Dee was the idea behind a family event at Edgar’s Field Park in Handbridge at the weekend.
The Really Big Dee Day marked the 10th anniversary of the annual clean-up along the banks of the Dee involving organisations from both England and Wales.
Saturday’s (September 17) event featured activities and stalls connected with the river and its communities, past and present.
Among those represented were Friends of Edgar’s Field, the RSPB, the RNLI lifeboat people, Cheshire West and Chester Council, the Sustrans eco-friendly transport charity, Flintshire Countryside Service and Connah’s Quay sea cadets.
Children got involved with creative activities including making decorations out of drift wood. And they had the chance to operate the siren in the RNLI’s 4 x 4 rescue vehicle. Meanwhile, Tesco gave out free ice creams and lollies.
Mike Taylor, senior ranger with Flintshire Countryside Service, told those gathered: “Today is the Really Big Dee Day which is a celebration of a 48-hour period where we’ve been litter picking, planting trees, bulbs and wild flowers. Everybody has been looking after the River Dee. And all these organisations here today are part and parcel of the Big Dee Day itself.”
Handbridge ward councillor Razia Daniels, who is Deputy Lord Mayor of Chester, popped by to join in the fun.
She said: “Edgar’s Field has come alive. This initiative has been going on for 10 years now and I’m really pleased to see so many people here trying to do good for the community. It’s about volunteering, it’s about making a difference in the community.”
Friends of Edgar’s Field were presented with the Big Dee Day community award. The group, which numbers about 10 volunteers, previously helped with the planning of the children’s play area and members participate in general maintenance including litter picking and thinning out the trees.
Treasurer Graham Gordon and chairman Steve Rogers ran a stall on the day.
Cllr Daniels added: “It’s well deserved. It’s fantastic. Graham and Steve do such hard work and without them this park wouldn’t be what it is and it's all down to the extra work they do. It’s just amazing.”
