2 minute read
lockdown litter
community Lockdown Litter
by Dan Connors
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Walker’s Green in Shefford is a regular stop off when I’m walking in the local area. It’s home to an increasing amount of wildlife from a fairly rare wasp to otters. As lockdown has reduced the number of places that we can spend our spare time it’s been great to see an increase in the number of people enjoying our open spaces. What hasn’t been so good has been the increase of litter. Last week Dan Osborne and I dragged three bin bags worth of rubbish out of the river at Walker’s Green. This included underwear, shoes, drinks cans and bottles. We’re by no means the only people helping to keep Shefford tidy and I got in touch with the Claire and Teresa, the force behind the Keep Shefford Tidy group for their thoughts on why we’re seeing more litter and what we can do about it.
Why?
•Lockdown means people are visiting places they wouldn’t usually visit and are not bothered if they are left in a poor condition. •Some people who might pick up litter are scared to do so at present due to the COVID-19 virus. •People are moving back to disposable cups and single use masks and gloves are creating new litter.
What can we do?
•Keep litter picking safely. Use a litter picker, wash your hands often and wear gloves. Remember social distancing guidance and follow the advice from Keep Britain tidy - www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean/coronavirus-guidance •Please try and separate the rubbish and recycle anything you can. Please also remember the guidance around social distancing. •Research shows that the less litter there is in an area the less people are likely to drop it. Seeing other people litter picking efforts has also been shown to reduce the amount of litter in an area. Let us know on the Keep Shefford Tidy Facebook page what you are doing as we love to see pictures of people’s litter picks. (www.facebook.com/keepsheffordtidy)
The Keep Shefford Tidy group is supported by the Town Council and Mayor. Community businesses such as Rosebuds and The Loft have provided support to some of their events and Bradders Ltd. have provided litter pickers and bag hoops.
We’re not sure when we’ll be able to have our next community litter pick due to restrictions, but Keep Shefford Tidy are looking at offering a library-type ‘borrowing’ service for litter-picking equipment during the Great British September Clean which runs from 11th to 27th September. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details!
did you know?.......
Students who stay on at school after GCSE and are resident in the Parish of Stondon (Lower or Upper) are entitled to grants from the above charity. This applies to 16-18 year olds and students still in education until 25 years old.
There can be other grants available, but they must be for educational based activities. Please go to the charity’s web site www.rands.org.uk for the relevant information and forms.
If you have any questions please contact
