Clean it Green it in Sunderland’s Coalfield

30/10/2026

We are continuing to battle the storm! 💪⚔

After the strongest gusts from Storm Boelo hit the North East this past weekend, our efforts have been keeping paths, popular dog walking spots and park entrances clear of any debris and fallen branches.

We've been successful across Middle Herrington Park removing fallen branches that were encroaching on Park fencing and across popular dog walking tracks, allowing residents and dog walkers to safely and freely traverse the playing field. 🚶🐕‍🦺

We have also collected litter and rubbish blown in through the fence as well as a fly tipped bit of flooring thrown over the wall as well as, blown the path once again, ensuring there are no slippery leaves and continuing to keep the park accessible to everyone.

Springboard
Coalfield Sunderland Community
Friends of Middle Herrington Park

30/10/2026

Team work makes the dream work! 💭🌻

This week we were helping out at East Rainton Primary School, removing old mud kitchen pallets and overgrowth from their sensory garden. 🪵

This is an effort supported by Cllr Jonathon Emerson, Cllr Quigley and Cllr Finlay as part of a project to renew and refurbish the sensory garden, organised by the new head teacher, Mr. Churchill.

We removed over 2 tonnes of waste, including overgrown branches, old pallets, rotted fencing posts and panels as well as the unstable bridge and surrounding boundary fencing that had fallen down. 💪🗑

Coalfield Sunderland Community
Springboard
Community Opportunities - YOUTH & PLAY

28/10/2026

Despite one of our vehicles being off the road following yesterday's incident, we will continue with our mission to clean up the Coalfields. Here are a few of our recent tasks:
Last week we were out at Herrington Country Park for a community clean up with Durham Wildlife Trust's Links with Nature team. We missed this off last weeks post somehow, but a big thank you to all who came to help out.
We spent much of Monday around Hetton Lyons Country Park, dealing with several windblown branches and dismantling a large den in the woods.
Since our post last week we have also retrieved 21 empty gas canisters, mostly at the Stephenson Lake car park.
We have also removed some fly tipping from the wasteland opposite Dorset Street, tidied up around the Houghton Racecourse Community Association building, and removed a large amount of litter and discarded clothing around the Holywell area.
Community Opportunities - YOUTH & PLAY
Coalfield Sunderland Community
Springboard

27/10/2026

UPDATE: RECOVERED

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HOUGHTON LE SPRING DH4

We are appealing for information regarding the theft of this Green Kawasaki Kaf1000emfnn. It was stolen between 2pm and 2.15pm today (27/10/26) from the Car park at the end of Brinkburn crescent Houghton Le Spring DH4.

***IF YOU LIVE LOCAL PLEASE CHECK DASHCAM/CCTV AROUND THESE TIMES***

If you have any information that can help the owner of this vehicle please can you message the page. If you see this vehicle please call 101, 999 if you have eyes on it.

Vehicle details:
Make:Kawasaki
Model:Kaf1000emfnn
Registration:NL71 EZP (NL71EZP)
VIN: REDACTED
Engine number: REDACTED
Stolen from:Houghton le spring DH4
Stolen date:27/10/26
Crime ref number:TBU

27/10/2026

Update: Vehicle Found! Many thanks to everyone for sharing.

Have you seen this vehicle? Stolen from Houghton in the last half hour. Please get in touch if spotted

23/10/2026

A few of our completed tasks this week:
Yesterday we were tidying up around Lambton Lane, removing two full bags of litter, 11 NO2 gas canisters, and a large dumpy bag full of commercial waste that had been fly tipped in the middle of the road!
We have also removed two full bags of litter and a large amount of fly tipping from the area between Littleburn Close and the Quarry garage.
Gas canisters that we have collected over the last month or two were taken to the tip - although it seems like there have been fewer recently, a total of 68 were disposed of yesterday.
Coalfield Sunderland Community
Community Opportunities - YOUTH & PLAY
Springboard

22/10/2026

Another great day planting bulbs alongside Herrington WI in celebration of their 100th Birthday in 2027! We are so proud to have supported the Women on such a momentous occasion.

Keep an eye out for some beautiful flowers blooming outside of Middle Herrington Park from as early as February 2027!

Alongside bulb planting, We edged the entrance to the path as well as cleaning and blowing off the entrance via Crow Ln. This continued through the park making paths safer and clearer.

A litter pick throughout the park was done and 2 bags of litter were cleared from the growth around the park walls.

Springboard
Herrington WI
Friends of Middle Herrington Park
Coalfield Sunderland Community

22/10/2026

20/10/2026

🌿💚 Community Litter Pick, Picnic & Outdoor Games! 💚🌿

We’re excited to be teaming up with the Clean It Green It Team for our 3rd community litter pick together! 🎉♻️

Join us at Kirklea Park and Playing Field on Monday 26th October from 11am as we come together to help keep our local green spaces clean, followed by a picnic and some fun outdoor games! 🧤🌳⚽

🥪 Staying for the picnic and games? Please let us know in advance if you’ll be staying, so we can make sure we have enough food and activities prepared.

Please note: The picnic food will be provided for children only. Adults are very welcome to bring their own food if they wish to join us for the picnic.

Everyone is welcome, whether you’d like to help with the litter pick, stay for the games, or enjoy the whole event! 💚

Let’s make a difference together while having some fun along the way! 🌍✨

📅 Monday 26th October
⏰ From 11am
📍 Kirklea Park and Playing Field

In partnership with Clean it Green it in Sunderland’s Coalfield and Active Sunderland and most importantly the residents ❤️

With thanks to Coalfield Sunderland Community for funding for our half term activities.

We hope to see lots of you there! 💚♻️

16/10/2026

A fabulous day for planting bulbs at Middle Herrington Park!

We were delighted to support the Herrington WI for their 100th Year Birthday in 2027. They planted 600 bulbs along the park's entrance footpath. With a wonderful variety planted, the pathway should be full of colour when they bloom in spring.

Thank you to everyone who got involved - from digging holes and spreading bone meal to replacing the soil and carefully covering the bulbs. It was a real team effort, and we look forward to seeing the results! 🌷🌱

Springboard
Coalfield Sunderland Community
Friends of Middle Herrington Park
Friends of West Park
Friends of Herrington Country Park
Tyne and Wear South Federation of WI's