Parish council supports communities to clean up

Chisworth Parish Council has pledged its support for this year's Great British September Clean, run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

The campaign, which was postponed in early spring due to Covid-19, will run in Chisworth from Saturday 19 to Friday 25 September.

It will encourage the great British public to take part in small, socially distanced clean-ups to remove litter from streets, parks and beaches across the country.

The Great British Spring Clean, run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, brings together individuals, community organisations, businesses and councils to show they love where they live and in 2019 more than half a million #LitterHeroes collected more than 900,000 bags of rubbish.

Keep Britain Tidy Deputy Chief Executive Richard McIlwain said: "The overwhelming response to last year’s Great British Spring Clean showed that hundreds of thousands of people who love where they live and are prepared to take action to make it better for themselves, their families and their communities. 

“Never before has it been more important for our community to unite in our fight against litter. We know that taking part in community action has positive effects on our mental health, and right now, anything we can do to unite British citizens and empower communities to make a difference during these uncertain times is so important. 

"We are delighted that Chisworth Parish Council is supporting this year’s campaign and would like to thank them for their support. Without councils across the country giving the campaign their backing, our volunteers would not be able to do the incredible job they do." 

Martin Bell, Chair of Chisworth Parish Council, said: "In previous years, we have collected up to 17 black bags full of litter from our local streets, verges and roadsides. Although there will not be a centrally organised litter pick this year, we hope that residents will sign up to do their own litter pick, so we can continue to reap the human and wildlife benefits of less litter in our environment." 

Litter Picking sticks and Hi Viz vests will be available by contacting chisworthparishclerk@gmail.com

To find out how you can get involved, whether that’s by pledging to pick up litter in the course of your daily routine or organising a clean-up with up to five friends or family, visit keepbritaintidy.org/GBSeptemberClean.