VOLUNTEERS from the Howley and Fairfield litter team held a special celebratory litter pick from Orford Park to celebrate their first anniversary at the weekend.
In a joint venture with the neighbouring Orford Litter Team, an amazing 85 bags of litter were collected by more than 20 dedicated volunteers.
The party started with the “Orford Park Can-Can” (their own can-crushing hi-vis team dance) and later the teams sang “Happy birthday” and even shared cakes!
Using four separate teams, all the streets and alleys between Norris St, Orford Avenue, Marsh House Lane and O’Leary St were tidied, after the volunteers “swarmed” along Quebec Rd.
The volunteers from Orford, Howley and Fairfield all got seriously stuck in with the litter.
The teams logged 80 bags of litter to be collected by Warrington Borough Council the next day, while another five bags of crushed drinks cans will be recycled.
Warrington Litter Networks spokesperson Tony Dixon said: “This has made a big difference to the residential areas of Fairfield and Orford. We hope people will notice how much better their streets look and want to keep it that way. Please do go and see – it looks SO tidy!!”
Julie Campbell, Hannah Austin and James Witty have led the HFLT in their first 12 months. It has created a strong local focus for the litter-picking network.
Hannah said: “We know there’s a lot more to do. Walking home from our joint pick on Sunday I noticed Marsh Street to the Barracks was particularly bad. So we’re always looking towards where needs our attention next.”
James added: “This year our group picked 807 bags of litter. WBC supports us, but if people want this to happen, please volunteer if you can! We are a growing movement, a network of teams working together. We are only just getting started.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s GB Spring Clean 2023 (GBSC) also starts soon, from 17th Feb until 2nd March. Local KBT Ambassador Tony explained: “We are tackling the litter problem one bit at a time. Our litter picks fit together like a jigsaw. We have been busy along Orford Lane, Longford St, Watkin St and many other areas. Yes, we need more teams, and more solos. For the 2023 GBSC we want to hear from new Warrington volunteers to multiply the process”.
Howley and Fairfield Team hold their next pick on Sunday, February 19th, 945-12 starting from Marsh St Car park.
To volunteer, please register on the Howley and Fairfield page at www.litternetworks.org. This site includes groups all over Warrington.