Five volunteer teams armed with litter grabbers and bags cleared the route for the Olympic Torch Relay in Congleton and smartened up the entrances to Congleton Park in a ‘clean for the Queen and the Torch’ event.
The teams set off from West Heath Shopping Centre on Sandbach Road, New Life Church on West Road, near the Shell garage on Clayton Bypass, Lower Heath and Congleton Park. The litter pick started at 10am and finished at 11.30am and around 30 people gave up their time on a glorious Saturday morning to remove the rubbish.
Congleton Town Mayor, who joined in the litter pick in the Park said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to help. It was great to see the staff at McDonalds and Tescos leading the way on Clayton Bypass and New Life Church congregation getting involved as well as Councillors Amanda Martin, Glen Williams, Bob Edwards and Neville Price. It was amazing how much we achieved in an hour and a half. I would love to see Congleton develop a Town Clean Team similar to that in Sandbach and Middlewich and if anyone is interested in helping to develop such a team please get in contact with the Town Clerk, Brian Hogan on 01260 270350.”
One volunteer commented: “At first I wondered what on earth I was doing giving up time on a hot Saturday morning to pick up litter that others couldn’t be bothered to put in the bin or take home with them. But then I began to see the difference it was making and had some positive feedback from passers-by and it was actually quite therapeutic!”
The next Community Litter pick is planned for the evening of Tuesday 10 July – the evening before the North West in Bloom judging. In the meantime any local group, organisation, business or individual who is prepared to carry out a litter pick in their area is welcome to borrow litter pickers and bags from the Town Hall – contact Jackie MacArthur on 01260 270350 ext 2
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For further information contact Jackie MacArthur – Congleton Town Council on 01260 270350
