Beith’s annual litter pick took place on Saturday April 29.

When the event was being set up around 9am the weather looked very promising indeed.

However, the old adage remains forever true - never count your chickens! By 10am some 40 volunteers from Beith and elsewhere gathered at the Cross kitted out in their yellow tabards and pick-sticks to be immediately welcomed by a heavy downpour which sadly remained over the town for the rest of the morning. However, whilst the volunteers were drookit they were nontheless keen to ensure that their spirits and commitment were not dampened by the rain.

A large number of bags overflowing with litter were collected and taken to the recycling centre in Kilbirnie and the town was looking better for their efforts. Let’s all make a concerted effort to put litter in bins and keep Beith brighter, better, cleaner and on the up and up!

The stalwart event organisers and top-notch community activists, Norrie and Rose Brown, were delighted with the turnout and the enthusiasm of the pickers, all keen to ensure that the town was devoid of litter. Norrie said: “This event has been running for a number of years and always gets great support from an intergenerational groups, all committed to keeping Beith tidy by removing litter from our streets and open spaces.

"I wish to record my thanks to everyone who took part for their continuing support. I would also like to thank the teams in Gateside and Barrmill who also litter-picked on different dates in their villages. And not forgetting Garnock Canoe Club who cleared away rubbish along the banks of Kilbirnie Loch.”

He added: “I would also like to record my thanks to our two local bakers, Irvine’s and Cookies and national bakers, Greggs, for supplying some tasty goodies for the pickers and also to Tunnocks for their very welcome biscuits, all of which went down a treat with the soaked pickers.”

In the evening a well attended social event was held in the town’s community centre to thank the pickers for their support. A happy quartet from West Kilbride, The Village Folks, entertained to the delight of an appreciative audience.