Here in the Vale of the White Horse area we’re lucky enough to live in a beautiful, clean green area. Here’s some ideas on how we can all help to keep it that way!
The Council’s Environment Wardens Colin Marshall and Sadie Broadbridge are keen to keep our area clean and they want to raise awareness of how people can help improve local environmental quality through community initiatives. Colin and Sadie’s role involves patrolling the villages and towns of the Vale helping to combat environmental crimes. They can issue fixed penalty notices to people caught dropping litter or letting their dogs foul. They can also help communities, neighbourhoods and businesses by offering advice and help on environmental issues.
Litter Picking Made Easy
Fancy getting together with friends and doing your bit to keep your neighbourhood clean and green? The Vale of White Horse District Council is offering a helping hand to anyone who wants to help keep their local community clean and tidy.
The Council’s Environment Wardens Colin and Sadie can provide help, advice and equipment to anyone who would like to organise a litter pick. They can arrange for litter picking kits to be delivered to you in time for your event – the kits are free to borrow, include safety vests, gloves, litter picking sticks and rubbish bags and are available to anyone from a small group of friends or neighbours to clubs, schools or voluntary groups. Sadie and Colin will even organise for all the litter which is collected to be picked up by council rubbish contractors the following day!
Colin says: “What we are hoping is that by taking the hassle out of organising a litter pick more people will get involved in cleaning up their community. It doesn’t have to be a big event or involve lots of people to make a real difference to the cleanliness of their neighbourhood. A clean area also makes people think twice before they drop litter there again, meaning the area stays clean and tidy for much longer.” If you would like to hold a litter pick you can get in touch with Colin or Sadie by calling 01235 520202 or by emailing environmental.protection@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
No Butts – It’s Litter
If you drop your cigarette butt beware – you could be fined £75.
Since the new smoking laws were introduced in July there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of cigarette butts littering the Vale’s town centres and the council is urging people to dispose of their cigarette butts in bins rather than dropping them on the floor.
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 it is an offence to drop or leave litter - including cigarette butts – outside.
Colin and Sadie are working to tackle the problem by distributing posters to remind people that dropping cigarette butts is an offence and that fines will be issued for this. They have also been handing out “portable ashtrays” so people can take their litter home, working with businesses to advise them how they can minimise cigarette litter and issuing penalty notices to people who dropped any litter – including cigarette butts - on the floor.
Freecycle
Had a spring clean or cleared out the attic or garage but don’t know what to do with all that old stuff? Don’t bin it - get rid of it on FREECYCLETM!
Freecycle is a worldwide internet phenomenon that unites people with stuff to get rid of with people who want it. The aim is to reduce the amount of landfill we generate by using and re-using what already exists instead of buying new.
There are 10 Freecycle groups in Oxfordshire including one in the Vale of the White Horse area, which has over 2500 members. Everything posted on the group must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages, but other than that it’s a very friendly way of spring cleaning - or refurbishing - your home!
Visit your local group at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/valewhitehorsefreecycle
Grove JET appeal for ideas
Have you got an idea that would enhance the appearance of Grove? If so the Grove Joint Environmental Trust (JET) wants to hear from you.
One idea the Trust is considering is installing large stone planters at each of the two entrances to Grove off the A338 to add a splash of floral colour as people enter the village. The JET would pay for the planters and organise for them to be installed, but would need volunteers to help look after the plants. If you would like to help, or have ideas for projects, please email jason.lindsey@whitehorsedc.gov.uk .
Faringdon, Wantage and Abingdon already have their own Joint Environmental Trusts, which work to help preserve and improve the local environment.
In Wantage the JET paid for the cleaning of King Alfred’s Statue in the Market Square and gardening work in Betjeman Park and at Alfred’s Well. The Faringdon JET group helped refurbish the marketplace and also contributed to the Folly Park sculpture.
For more details about the JET schemes email the Landscape manager on landscape@whitehorsedc.gov.uk or call 01235 540344.
County-wide Recycling Survey
A team of canvassers will be visiting homes in the Vale over the next few months to find out about our recycling habits. They’ll also be offering advice on recycling facilities in the area. Canvassers are employed by a company called Enventure and will be carrying identification cards including a contact number at Oxfordshire County Council at all times.
If residents have any questions regarding the canvassing they should contact Oxfordshire County Council’s Waste Team on 08450 50 45 50. |
