On the morning of 11 March, litter pickers were kept busy for three hours filling wheelbarrows and black sacks with rubbish. Greengrid Taskforce volunteers were joined by local residents, children and teachers from Fairways Primary School and local councillor, Brian Smith and his wife. The target area was the stretch between Bonchurch Park and Our Lady of Lourdes School. Volunteers also cleared litter that had collected along the perimeter fence inside Manchester Drive allotments.37 bags were collected, one bag per volunteer. Many other items were retrieved from the Prittle Brook, including bedding, cans, bottles and two children’s bikes. Jackie Humberstone, Greengrid Taskforce Officer for Groundwork South Essex, and myself, Sharon Cattermole, organised the event in conjunction with The Big Tidy Up and the Good for Leigh Campaign. I was very pleased with the results, as I have collected over 80 bags of rubbbish since January 2008 just from the pathway between the allotments and Eastwood Road. The turnout of people was great, and a few local residents have offered to join me on my regular litter picks. CLICK HERE for further information about Groundwork and Greengrid Taskforce events.
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Come and help the regular Prittle Brook Community Group keeping Leigh Tidy.
We meet once a month on the corner of Blenheim Crescent and Manchester Drive at the entrance to the Prittle Brook pathway. Next meet on Wednesday 19 August at 9.30 am.
Sharon Cattermole
Prittle Brook Community Group Co-ordinator
Recent research confirms the amount spent on cleaning England’s streets increased by £33m last year. That is £2.1 m a day clearing up after people who don’t dispose of rubbish properly.
Imagine what that money could be spent on. A new hospital wing, vital research into cancer or heart disease?
Last week Tim Barnes, founder of Litter Heroes (www.litterheroes.co.uk) released his litter survey to the media, generating an article in The Daily Mail and a piece by Jeremy Paxman in The Guardian. Between September and October 2009 39 volunteers from across the UK collected and identified rubbish. The survey reveals Coca-Cola as the most littered brand. The company’s products account for 7.8% of the litter collected followed by Walkers Crisps with 4.1% and McDonalds packaging at 3.1%.
Bill Bryson, President of the Council for the Protection of Rural England is also passionate about stamping out rubbish in the UK. He’s spearheaded many campaigns often joining community groups on their litter picks.
On a local level The Prittle Brook Community Group will be out on 31 March 2010 with Greengrid Taskforce Volunteers between 10am and 1pm on a Big Tidy Up event along the Prittle Brook. Meeting at the corner of Manchester Drive and Blenheim Crescent.
Please contact Greengrid Taskforce Officer Jackie on 01268 752368 to confirm attendance or Prittle Brook Coordinator Sharon Cattermole on 07745059856 .