Great Ness and Little Ness volunteer litter pickers praised for efforts
A voluntary litter picking group in the Great Ness and Little Ness areas of Shropshire has been praised for their efforts to clear rubbish and keep the area clean and tidy.
Members from the Great Mess to Little Mess community group pick litter weekly, and sometimes daily.
The group is chaired by Jim Diggory, and includes Claire Dickinson, Alison Mullis and her two children Althea and George (pictured). Other litter pickers go out alone, often whilst walking their dogs.
Claire Dickinson, with Alison Mullis and her two children Althea and George, with one of the new recycling wheelie bins
Claire Dickinson says:
“In just over an hour, the community litter pickers are known to collect about 28 big bin bags of litter, from the Nesscliffe Country Park and surrounding lanes. It is an astonishing amount. The keenest topic of conversation is what is the most unusual object of the day. A discarded chair, a spade, a pair of underpants! More typical are glass and plastic bottles and detritus discarded from cyclists and users of fast food outlets.”
When enough aluminium cans have been gathered, they are weighed and sold, eventually raising about £100 each time. This money is then put to good use for planting up bulbs and supporting other community projects.
The volunteers say they are looking forward to the county’s new recycling wheelie bins being used in the area, as they will reduce the amount of windblown litter on recycling days, meaning there is less rubbish to pick up.
Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for waste management, said:
“The new recycling bins have been well received by those that have now had one, and are eagerly awaited by those who haven’t had one yet.
“As well as making it easier for people to recycle more, they will also help to stop the problem of rubbish blowing down the road on windy days, which is a real bonus, especially for all those working hard to reduce the amount of litter in our local areas.”
Ed Potter, Shropshire Councillor for Loton said:
“The fantastic efforts of volunteers such as the Great Mess to Little Mess group help to enhance and benefit our key areas, and make them attractive places to live, work and visit.
“Jim, Alison, Althea, George, Claire and the rest of the group are doing a brilliant job in helping to keep our beautiful area clear of litter and I want to thank them all for their hard work.”
The new wheelie bins for recycling cans, plastic and glass at the kerbside are currently being delivered to households across the Shropshire Council area. To order a bin visit the council website.
