HELPING TO CLEAN UP OUR COAST AND COUNTRYSIDE
Believe it or not, litter picks are quite a social thing to do. Although I do the majority litter picks alone, it might surprise you how many people start up a conversation. Often, people will say "thank you" or ask how much I've collected and a conversation will go on from there. I was on the beach one morning and a visitor said hello while out with her spaniel puppy. I saw her most mornings and on her last day, she walked a short stretch of beach as I litter picked and at first didn't spot things I was picking up but it wasn't long before she saw them too! After a few hundred metres, she turned to head back but commented how therapeutic it was and she decided she would start doing it when she returned home. Another recruit!
While out walking the moors, people greet each other as they pass by whilst walking in urban areas, people don't or do they? On a recent visit to North London, I had a coffee at Paliament Hill Fields and then took a walk on Hampstead Heath as it was such a beautiful morning. I walked for around an hour and passed many people walking their dogs, running or like me having a stroll. I think 2 people said good morning. The following morning, I did the same thing but this time, I took my litter picking equipment as I had seen plastic bottles, food packaging etc from picnics and filled a sack in around 45 minutes. I lost count of how many people said good morning and had a couple of conversations about litter. It was very encouraging. After I finished there, I carried on litter picking during a walk over to Belsize Park where I had arranged to meet up with Bob (Robert Stephenson-Padron) (Bob) who has recently been awarded the OBE for services to social care. Bob is the driving force behind Belsize Village which has been transformed from what used to be rather untidy with empty businesses but is now home to 'London's First Streatery' which is now full of thriving businesses and people being able to sit and enjoy food and drink in a beautiful setting with planters full of colour and a litter free area thanks to the hard work of owners and residents volunteering their time each day to keep it looking so good. This is a fine example of how other towns and businesses could encourage more footfall back into their community. You can find out more about this at: www.belsizevillage.org.uk
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AuthorBorn in West Somerset, I have always been proud of where I live and want everyone else to enjoy it too! Archives
September 2022
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