Uppermill litter pick volunteers backed by national campaign

Community-minded villagers in Uppermill have been boosted by a national clean-up campaign.

The Great British Spring Clean initiative, organised by Keep Britain Tidy means that members of the Uppermill Community Action Network (UCAN), have been able to refocus time and energy on their regular litter picks.

The national campaign, now in it's seventh year, is encouraging local litter heroes to join forces at the same time to keep Britain's environment clean and tidy.

This year, the theme of the campaign is 'One Bag - Big Difference', as participants are encouraged to fill a minimum of just one bag to help the country's clean-up.

Litter heroes can choose their own challenge, and pledge to fill as many bags as they can during the campaign, but organisers say just one bag can make all the difference.

UCAN volunteers regularly organise litter picks in the village, usually twice a month.

Volunteer Karen Williams says it's more than just a straightforward clean-up: "We are out and about every month throughout the year litter picking to 'do our bit' to help keep our wonderful Uppermill village clean and tidy, protect our environment, ecosystems and wildlife generally.  

"It's also really nice to be out and about meeting like-minded people who stop to talk with us about how they care about the village, and how proud they are that the local environment is just so beautiful."

Karen says the theme of the national campaign is one that really resonates locally.

"We've found over the many years of regular litter picking that every individual act to protect the environment by people living, working or visiting the village really does have a positive impact.  Commitment and collective effort continues to make a huge difference."

The UCAN volunteers have been working alongside Oldham Council as part of the 'Don't Trash Oldam' campaign, launched last year.  The council provided residents with appropriate bags and litter picking tools to support the campaign.

Future dates for litter picks in Uppermill are as follows:

April
Saturday 23 April
May
Thursday 12 May
Saturday 28 May
June
Thursday 9 June
Saturday 25 June

The group usually meets at Spring Gardens, Moorgate Street by the canal bridge, Uppermill at 10am, though sometimes this varies so this will be confirmed nearer to each of the above dates.  

All equipment is  provided by the Canal and River Trust and you are recommended to wear suitable clothing and stout footwear for the weather conditions on the day.

To find out more, or join the volunteers, contact Peter Killan on 01457 878361 or email peterkillan@hotmail.com.

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