Great British Spring Clean campaign success across Newark and Sherwood with hundreds of bags of litter collected

Hundreds of community minded volunteers across the district have helped to make this year’s Great British Spring Clean a success.

The campaign, which ran from March 21 to April 6, is the UK’s largest mass-action environmental campaign and encourages people to clean their up the areas in which they live by litter picking at beauty-spots, green spaces, and streets in order to protect communities and wildlife habitats.

In Newark and Sherwood 250 volunteers took part, and through their hard work collected 300 bags of waste.

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, Ollderton Cubs and community groups in Norwell, Alverton, Caunton, Blidworth, Lowdham, Wigsley, Thorney and Harby.

Newark and Sherwood District Council provided volunteers with equipment needed for the litter picking, arranged to collect any bags of waste and dispose of them afterwards.

Some of the litter picking events were also attended by district council officers.

Matthew Finch, director of communities and environment, 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 council offers all year round support to any person, parish council, school or community group that would like to organise a voluntary litter pick in their area.

Support provided includes promotion and encouraging involvement, providing equipment such as black bags and high vis vests for the group, and any waste will be collected by the council's waste team.