THE person behind Widemouth Task Force has expressed his pride on the group being named runner-up for a Clean Cornwall Award.

Widemouth Task Force came runner-up after receiving nominations for Clean Cornwall’s ‘For the Good of Cornwall’ community award, and Ado Shorland, who runs the task force, was presented with a Jo Downs glass design from Jill Stott, project manager at Clean Cornwall.

The presentation was made at Trelawny Tea Rooms, Widemouth recently.

Clean Cornwall launched the awards and sought nominations for those making a difference as part of its ‘Faces of Cornwall’ campaign, which seeks to celebrate committed individuals, businesses and groups from across the county who are helping to keep Cornwall beautiful and free from litter.

Members of the public were invited to nominate individuals and groups in their communities for the role they play in protecting the local neighbourhoods that matter to them.

Mr Shorland said: “On behalf of Widemouth Task Force, I was very proud to accept the Clean Cornwall award from Jill Stott at the Trelawny Tea Rooms. Accompanied by Jack and Leon, we accepted a beautiful Jo Downs glass design specially made for Clean Cornwall. The award is in recognition of our efforts in helping keep our beaches and community litter free and safe for wildlife and marine life.”

Mr Shorland expressed his thanks to the members who he said make this group work, and for being there when called upon.

He told the Post he was ‘stoked’ to receive the award, adding: “The more awareness of the group the better. Nobody does it for the award but to be recognised by somebody like Clean Cornwall and the people on the judging panel for the award — that’s gotta be great for everybody.”

Ms Stott said Widemouth Task Force had received several nominations, which included comments such as: “It’s a group of volunteers who regularly meet and clean several of our local beaches, whatever the weather. The difference is amazing… there has been a massive amount of rubbish removed over the years. This keeps our beaches looking beautiful and our wildlife safe from tangling hazards.”

Ms Stott said of the presentation made to Mr Shorland: “It’s actually us representing their community, telling them they think what they do matters and the role they play to stop litter is important, and we hope the award shows that.

“It was nice to just sit down and talk about the global crisis that is marine litter, and to hear from this group that’s relentless in trying to stop this from happening.”

Widemouth Task Force came runner-up to Gilbert Wilton, from Newquay, who in his late 80s, has spent the past 50 years tirelessly tidying the streets and pavements of the town where he was born.

In praising Mr Wilton, Mr Shorland said Widemouth Task Force had ‘absolutely no problem coming second’.