Falmouth Spring Festival on March 15 and 16

The festival is organised by Falmouth BID and sponsored by the University of Exeter, and the two days will see a huge range of town and beach cleans, gardening and graffiti removal projects taking place across Falmouth.

Richard Wilcox, Falmouth BID manager said: “The Spring Clean Days have gone from strength-to-strength and it is terrific to welcome so many committed volunteers and organisations this year.

"Having such a dynamic community, working together with the BID ensures that so much more can be done. Cuts to regional budgets mean that a proactive local approach is vital and that’s exactly what we’ve championed over the last few years. Any resident wishing to take part do get in touch.”

The Falmouth town centre spruce-up will see teams of volunteers in Spring Festival high-vis vests from Falmouth Town Council, the BID, The Poly, Rick Stein’s Fish and Falmouth Vineyard church group, weeding, washing, varnishing benches and removing graffiti with the aim of revitalising much-loved areas for the benefit of the local community and visitors.

Working alongside will be Falmouth Civic Society and the Seaview Inn group who will be undertaking litter sweeps along the terraces, while staff from Falmouth Town Council coordinate power washing on signs and seating.

Also look out for a University of Exeter volunteer gardening crew who will be working alongside the Cormac gardens team to ensure Fox Rosehill Gardens is at its sparkling best for the season ahead.

Plastic Free Falmouth, in partnership with Falmouth Town Council, Falmouth BID, University of Exeter, One Bag Beach Clean and Falmouth Marine Conservation will conduct an epic two-day clean-up from Boslowick through to Swanpool Beach. Friday 15th March will see around 60 people armed with buckets, bags and litter pickers meet at Boslowick Playing Field and follow the stream down to Swanpool Nature Reserve collecting rubbish and clearing up as they go.

The following day, on Saturday 16th March, the committed helpers will then meet at Swanpool Beach and cover the beach itself, in addition to the lake areas.

Kirstie Edwards, from Plastic Free Falmouth Chair said: “It’s a privilege to be invited to be part of the special Falmouth Spring Festival this year. We are more than happy to spend two days picking up litter, not very glamorous we know! Following the stream to the sea, we’ll be sharing our knowledge and ideas on reducing plastic consumption as we go. Special thanks must go to Boslowick Garage and Swanpool Café for providing hot drinks to our team of volunteers, we’re sure they’ll be very welcome!”

Complementing the beach clean, WeSUP Paddleboard Centre is coordinating an ocean sweep across Falmouth Bay as well as a focus on the Fal river, where a team of dedicated paddleboarders will head out on the water to collect hard to reach flotsam and jetsam.

Back on land, the Greenbank Hotel, the Friends of Greenbank Gardens and CORMAC will refresh areas in and around Greenbank Gardens and shoreline, while on the other side of town, the Boscawen Fields Action Group will be conducting a litter pick in that area with their members, as will Falmouth Vineyard church group, around Pendennis Point. Special mention goes to Falmouth Hotel for providing free tea and coffee for all volunteers who pass by.

The Spring Festival organisers would like to thank the volunteer groups and businesses who are working alongside the Falmouth BID and signed up to take part - the University of Exeter, Falmouth Town Council, The Greenbank Hotel, Rick Stein’s Fish Falmouth, Friends of Greenbank Gardens, Falmouth Civic Society, Falmouth Vineyard church group, CORMAC, Falmouth District Hotels Association, Plastic Free Falmouth, WeSUP Paddleboard Centre, Falmouth Bay Residents Association, Boscawen Fields Action Group, The Poly and The Falmouth Hotel, as well as many local residents.

If you, your friends, family or colleagues would like to get involved with the Spring Clean Days, please contact Naomi Morant on naomi@falmouth.co.uk or 01326 313553.

About the Falmouth Spring Festival

Organised by the Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) and sponsored by the University of Exeter, the Falmouth Spring Festival is the first main event on the Falmouth events calendar. Celebrating Falmouth’s coast and culture through a host of music, dance, sporting events, walks and ‘spring clean’ activities, the Festival takes place at numerous venues across the town.

The Festival also has a strong community ethos with schools, businesses, volunteer groups and charities all involved and working in partnership with the Falmouth BID to celebrate and conserve Falmouth’s special environment in as many innovative ways as possible.

Other festival highlights

Thursday 14 March

Paint the Town Yellow Day Sunday 17 March Rockpooling on Castle Beach Sunday 17 March Games & Fitness on The Moor Mon 18 – Fri 22 March Science in the Pub

Sat 23 – Sun 24 March Falmouth Spring Flower Show Throughout Festival guided walks programme

About the Falmouth BID Voted for and managed by local businesses, the award-winning Falmouth BID is a not-for-profit resource that, as an integral part of the Falmouth Town Team coordinates destination marketing, festivals, business training and public realm initiatives for the town. The Town Team co-ordinated the Great British High Street awards submission, leading to Falmouth beating 900 other towns to be crowned the GB High St Coastal Community of the Year.

For more information about the Falmouth BID visit www.falmouth.co.uk/media.