Volunteers join the fight to tackle litter
Lancaster City Council is encouraging residents to do their bit to help keep our district clean and tidy and a place we can all be proud to live in.
From litter picks to beach cleans, everyone can play their part, whilst at the same time getting a bit of fresh air and exercise and meeting up with friends old and new.
A group of volunteers in Carnforth recently decided it was time to clean up their local area, and organised a litter pick, with a little help from the city council.
The event was organised by Carnforth Free Methodist Church and Christians Alive Church, Carnforth and took place on the Fairfield Estate.
The group borrowed some litter picking equipment from Lancaster City Council, and set to work on a very wet Tuesday evening in July. Despite the rain eight people turned out and around fifteen bags of rubbish were filled in just half an hour.
Andy Woof, who helped organise the litter pick, said that despite the rain everyone was very cheerful and full of enthusiasm. The group were proud of their achievement, and would encourage other residents across the district to get out and help clean up their local area.
Councillor Jon Barry, cabinet member with responsibility for the Environment said: “We really are grateful to these enthusiastic people who are helping to keep our district clean and tidy.”
“Although the council imposes an on the spot fine if people are caught littering or fly tipping, there are still some individuals who throw their rubbish on the ground and spoil the area for everyone else. We can all do our bit to improve the appearance of our neighbourhoods, and the council will happily lend out equipment to help people do that.”
If you would like to organise a litter pick in your area, contact Emma Coopland-Lee at Lancaster City Council, on 01524 582346 or email ecoopland@lancaster.gov.uk
Our district’s beaches are also hot spots for litter, whether it is dropped by passers by or washed in on the tide.
Lancaster City Council is one of the founding members of the Morecambe Bay Partnership, who, among other activities organise regular Beach Cleans around Morecambe Bay.
Since 2003 over 4300 volunteers have removed over 31 tonnes of litter from our local beaches.
The next Beach Clean takes place in Hest Bank on Saturday September 25, starting at 10am from the carpark over the level crossing. For more information and dates of all the coastal litter picks please visit www.morecambebay.org.uk
Date Published: 14/09/10