Paddington hosts Great British Spring Clean canal clear-up

On Friday 23 March The Paddington Partnership, in collaboration with the Canal & River Trust, is hosting a community clear-up as part of the national Great British Spring Clean campaign. We’re looking for teams from Paddington’s businesses, schools and community groups to sign up as litter heroes for the morning or afternoon.

To help ensure the canal is looking its very best in time for Cavalcade, there’ll be a whole host of tasks up for grabs. Along with litter picking, our litter heroes will help to plant bulbs and bedding plants, sand down benches ready for painting, weed and sweep paths and there may even be the chance to have a go at grappling.

For those new to canal cleaning, grappling involves throwing grapple hooks (devices quite similar to anchors with multiple hooks on a rope) into the water to drag up the litter lurking on the canal bed. A treasure trove of treats have been found in past hauls, from keys and a wine glass to much larger foreign objects - bike frames, a wheel clamp and scaffolding poles.

If you are yet to experience Paddington and Little Venice from the water, now’s your chance. GoBoat London and Active360 are supporting the Spring Clean, which is timed perfectly for the start of the new boating season, by offering out boats and canoes to teams of colleagues, local residents and friends for trips along the canal. Book your slot with The Paddington Partnership, board a boat and clean as a you cruise.