THE BIG CLEAN UP Hammersmith Bridge at 9.30am. Free tours to the recycling centre in Smuggler’s Way. Wednesday June 19 and Thursday June 20. The tours start at 10.30am and last an hour and a half. A free bus will be available on both days. It will leave Hammersmith Town Hall at 9.45am on Wednesday June 19. The bus will leave Kensington Town Hall on Thursday. Book your place by emailing: recycling@lbhf.gov.uk O For more information and updates on events, visit: www.lbhf.gov.uk/clean up
‘Worst place to be a bin man’ returns
SWEEPERS W ORK THE NIGHT TO THROUGH CLEAN AFTER TRAD E AND NIGHTL UP IFE
A popular borough bin man returned to the small screen last month in ‘Toughest place to be a bin man – the return’, writes Rob Mansfield
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ouncil refuse collector Wilbur first-aid kits. Wilbur also handed over 30 Ramirez returned to the Indonesian pairs of trainers to the bin men, who had capital, Jakarta – 18 months after previously worked without shoes. his first visit. Three million people tuned H&F Council deputy leader, Greg in to watch the original programme which Smith, said: “Wilbur is a credit to the showed the squalid conditions of the semiteam who work tirelessly to keep the destitute rubbish collectors in Jakarta. borough’s streets clean.” The BBC 2 documentary showed Indonesian bin men scavenging rubbish for a living on Jakarta’s massive landfill site – while others walked their rounds barefoot and with the most basic of equipment. Following the friendship he made with Imam Saffi, whose round he took over, Wilbur set up a charity – The Wilbur Ramirez Charitable Trust. Wilbur said: “During my first visit, I couldn’t believe the size of the rubbish tip. The people living by it were lucky if it was H&F refuse collected once a week, now collector, Wilbur they come two or three Ramirez, with Imam times a day.” Thanks to H&F Council’s Saffi in Jakarta where Imam works as a refuse collection firm, bin man Serco, Wilbur was able to give the Indonesian rubbish collectors boots, trousers, hi-vis shirts, brooms, shovels and
Your Hammersmith & Fulham Magazine
YOUR MAGS Pages 42-43 BIG CLEAN UP THREE-FOUR.indd 2
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