Steve Hipsey of Tavistock litter picking group, Tidy Tavi, provided the girls with all the equipment they needed, bags and pick up sticks for gathering the litter.
Brown Owl Sarah Maczugowska explained that the litter pick was just one of the environmental challenges the girls are undertaking towards their Recycle Devon badge.
They had opted for the ‘heavy use’ areas of the park, but in fact found that there was comparatively little rubbish strewn about.
‘We were surprised at that,’ said Brown Owl Sarah. ‘Quite a lot of the girls were commenting on how little rubbish there was, which is good in a way. We were trying to concentrate on the high use areas of the park, around the bandstand and in the underpass.
‘Obviously it is a big area to cover and perhaps next time we will take a lead from Steve to find out where the best areas are. It is all part of Recycle Devon, there is a badge that is produced in conjunction with Girlguiding Devon. It is about encouraging youngsters to look after the environment.
‘Steve provided us with bags and the hoops that hold open the bags and the litter pickers. We had quite good weather, so didn’t get wet, although it was quite dark by the time we got back.
‘We had chips as a reward afterwards – I went to the chipshop and got them some. Of course, we recycled the wrappers!’