Buckets of plastic waste — some dating back nearly a decade — have been fished out of the River Great Ouse by a local councillor on a paddleboard.
District Councillor Nathan Hunt, who represents Huntingdon East for the Liberal Democrats, took a hands-on approach to environmental action by clearing litter from the river between Huntingdon Riverside Park and the Causeway in Godmanchester.
Navigating the waterway by paddleboard, Cllr Hunt filled several buckets with discarded items. Among the finds were plastic toy eggs, a nerf dart, and a still-full two-litre bottle of soft drink. The most surprising discovery was a chive packaging bag marked 2016 — evidence of how persistent plastic pollution can be.
We all have a role to play in getting rid of our rubbish properly and protecting our waterways
Cllr Nathan Hunt
Speaking after the clean-up, Cllr Hunt said: “I’m really passionate about keeping our river and park clean — and sometimes that means taking things into my own hands. It’s shocking how long litter can remain in the environment, so picking it is absolutely vital.”
He urged local residents to dispose of their waste responsibly and called on water companies to step up. “Water companies need to be investing in infrastructure to reduce the amount of sewage that they discharge into our rivers — both here in the Great Ouse, and across the country,” he added.
His solo effort shines a spotlight on the scale of pollution facing local waterways and the importance of both individual and systemic action in tackling the problem.
With summer on the horizon and more people expected to enjoy the riverside, Cllr Hunt’s paddle-powered clean-up sends a clear message: our rivers are worth protecting — and it starts with all of us.
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