RUSTY shopping trolleys dumped in Sheffield rivers have been transformed into sculpture.
And The Great Trolley Mountain scheme is set to salvage more junk from the waterways this year.
A clear-up last year saw volunteers remove 25 trollies from a stretch of the River Sheaf between Abbeydale Road and the city centre and from the Tinsley Canal in 2012.
They were reborn in a large piece of artwork created by Sheffield sculptor Jess Thorn, who welded the scrap together to create The Great Trolley Mountain, a centrepiece to the firework extravaganza at the Riverlution Festival last September.
A new clear-out for 2013 begins in the River Don, on Saturday, January 26, starting at Owlerton Stadium, Hillsborough, at 11am.
Sheffield film-maker and environmentalist Malcolm Camp came up with the idea after noticing a supermarket trolley which had been underneath Broadfield Road pedestrian bridge for 20 years.
He said: “Every time I crossed the bridge and looked down into the dark water, I saw the shape of a gleaming steel cage just out of reach.
“I thought to myself that with a bit of teamwork we could get this and many other trolleys out.
“When I investigated how many trolleys were in the river I thought there was enough to build a mountain, so that made me think, ‘Well let’s create that mountain!’
“When we finished it, the trolley which inspired the idea ended up on its summit.”
The Blue Loop, the community engagement branch of the River Stewardship Company, kitted out volunteers with waders and grappling hooks.
Project leaders are now calling for new volunteers to make 2013’s river venture successful too.
Malcolm said: “We had people aged from 13 to 60 helping last time, who all really enjoyed what is surprisingly good fun. We hope this year’s Great Trolley Mountain Adventure will continue to raise awareness about Sheffield’s rivers, which should not be dumping grounds but beautiful arteries that lead into our city’s heart.”
n To get involved email mcampfilm@gmail.com or contact Hellen Hornby at The Blue Loop on 0114 263 6420.
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