A Great British Spring Clean success

The campaign, which ran from Friday 21 March until Sunday 9 April, is the country’s largest mass-action environmental campaign, that encourages people to spring clean their community and litter pick nearby streets, beauty-spots and green spaces in order to protect communities and wildlife habitats. Keep Britain Tidy have reported that over 462, 410 bags of litter were pledged this year.

Litter picking events were organised all over the district by groups including Historic Newark in Bloom, Collingham Parish Council, Green Southwell in partnership with Southwell Lions and Southwell Methodist Church, Angells Fisheries, Grassthorpe, Minster School Southwell, Ollerton Cubs and community groups in Norwell, Alverton, Caunton, Blidworth, Lowdham, Wigsley, Thorney and Harby.

In total the hard-working litter picking volunteers from Newark and Sherwood collected 400 bags of waste from around local areas. The District Council worked with the volunteers to provide them with the equipment needed for the litter picking and afterwards came to collect any bags of waste collected and disposed of them. Some of the litter picking events were also attended by officers from the District Council.

Matthew Finch, Director of Communities and Environment at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I would like to say a massive well done and thank you to everyone who got involved in this year’s Great British Spring Clean. The initiative is a fantastic example of what we can achieve when we work together to keep our area clean, tidy and safe for those who live and work here as well for our natural environment. It was brilliant seeing everyone out and about doing their bit.

“Of course, the work doesn’t stop here. The teams at the District Council will continue to work day in, day out to make sure out district is clean and safe. Residents can help us by continuing to report any fly-tips and graffiti they see, requesting a street clean and continuing to organise community litter picks throughout the year.”

The District Council offers support all year round to any person, parish council, school or local community group that would like to organise a voluntary litter pick in their area. Support provided includes promoting the pick locally to encourage involvement, providing equipment including black bags and high vis vests for the group, and any waste will be collected by the District Council's waste team. 

If you are an individual, a school, local community group, Parish Council or a group of friends or neighbours who would like to become a Green Champion in Newark and Sherwood and organise a voluntary litter pick in your area, the District Council can support you. For more information on how to become a Green Champion, visit the District Council’s website: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/communitylitterpicking/