Volunteers from across the village came together to help spruce up their community, collecting litter and tidying public spaces to ensure Waringstown remains a clean and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.

Commenting after the event, Carla Lockhart MP said:

“It is always a pleasure to get stuck in and support community-led initiatives, and Saturday’s Big Spring Clean in Waringstown was a fantastic example of what can be achieved when people pull together for a common good.

It was great to walk the Main Street alongside my son Charlie — who was very enthusiastic about spotting and collecting litter — and my colleagues Diane Dodds MLA, Cllr Baxter and Cllr Greenfield.

I was especially encouraged to see the Waringstown Girl Guides playing such an active role. Their involvement really highlights the importance of engaging our young people in civic life and showing them the value of giving back to their community. Instilling that sense of responsibility at a young age is so important.

I want to pay sincere tribute to Mr Trevor Beatty and the Well Kept Waringstown group. Though still a relatively new organisation, they have already made a huge difference. Their ‘can-do’ approach and willingness to roll up their sleeves is exactly what community action should look like.

A word of thanks also to the Women’s Institute, who provided a lovely morning tea after the clean-up — a well-earned treat for all the volunteers.

Across Upper Bann, I know many local groups have embraced the Big Spring Clean campaign, and I commend every one of them. It’s a real reflection of the community spirit we are so proud of in this constituency.”