Updated - CANCELLED : In Bloom team join the Great British Spring Clean

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Updated: 7pm on 16th March - organisers have now taken the decision to cancel these events, please see Kelvin Brigg's comment below.

Alderley Edge in Bloom Group will be getting behind this year's Great British Spring Clean, run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

The campaign, which runs from March 20th to April 13th, will see up to 600,000 people taking action to clean up streets, parks and beaches across the country.

In 2019 more than half a million volunteers collected more than 900,000 bags of rubbish.

Last year, Alderley Edge in Bloom organised two large litter picks in the village park and along part of the Alderley Edge bypass, with over 40 volunteers collecting more than 70 bags of rubbish.

Alderley Edge in Bloom Chair Leslie Cox said: "The overwhelming response to last year's Great British Spring Clean showed that there are thousands of people who love where they live and are prepared to take action to make it better for themselves, their families and their communities. It is volunteer groups like Alderley Edge in Bloom who are leading the action in communities up and down the country and making a huge difference, not just during this campaign, but all year round with our weekly litter picking activities. All our individual actions can help to transform our environment for the better, creating cleaner streets and parks , protecting our wildlife and, ultimately, stopping the tide of plastic that is doing so much damage to our oceans and marine life. We want to involve as many people as possible."

Alderley Edge in Bloom Litter Picking Co-ordinator Judy Turner commented: 'This year we will not only 'Pick The Park' and 'Pick The Bypass' again, but also add four more village locations with some events suitable for children to take part. Clearly we face the challenge of the coronavirus but currently the plan is to go ahead."

The aim of the Great British Spring Clean is for communities to come together, clean up their local environment and have fun, which of course means staying safe at all times. In 2019 more than half a million volunteers collected more than 900,000 bags of rubbish.

Keep Britain Tidy have asked that local groups undertake their clean-up events in line with the advice being issued by Public Health England (PHE). In particular, participants are asked to use the following guidelines:

Wear gloves during the clean-up at all times Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds before and after your event Event organisers are advised to provide hand sanitiser for participants where possible or sign post to accessible hand washing facilities Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects, such as litter pickers, using your regular cleaning products Stay at least 2 metres (about 3 steps) away from other people whenever possible.

Kelvin Briggs said "Being part of the Great British Spring Clean is a wonderful way to show you care about your local environment but to have fun, as well as to make a difference, it is important to stay safe and take these simple precautions to make your event a success.

"Alderley Edge in Bloom will continue to monitor Government announcements and update our advice as the situation evolves."

You can register to attend a litter pick online.

The Events programme :

  • Friday, 20th March. 4:00 PM start. Beech Close/Elmfield Road, suitable for children
  • Saturday, 21st March. 2:00 PM start. 'Pick The Bypass', Melrose Way, adults only
  • Friday, 27th March 10:00 AM start. Alderley Edge Station, adults only
  • Saturday, 28th March 8:30 AM start. Heyes Lane to The Hough, adults only
  • Sunday, 5th April 10:00 AM start. Macclesfield Rd to The Wizard, suitable for children
  • Monday, 13th April 11:00 AM start. 'Pick The Park', suitable for children

The contact point for the events is Judy Turner : 07713 266388.

Tags:
Alderley Edge In Bloom, Great British Spring Clean
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Kelvin Briggs
Monday 16th March 2020 at 6:10 pm
Sadly the event is now postponed with the hope to run it maybe in September or October .

Keep Britain Tidy just issued this communication:-

This year we have been absolutely blown away by the support from everyone – volunteers, local authorities, charities and businesses – for the Great British Spring Clean.

With more than 650,000 volunteers promising to give us their time, the enthusiasm and excitement it has generated has exceeded all our expectations.

However, our first priority is to make sure everyone stays safe and well so, with no small measure of sadness, we have taken the decision to postpone this year’s Great British Spring Clean until September and will be running the Great British September Clean from September 11 - 27.

We will be asking that instead of cancelling your clean-ups, you look to reschedule for the new campaign period.
Roy West
Tuesday 17th March 2020 at 4:42 pm
Thanks to the whole team for all their dedicated work, meanwhile it is up to everyone to keep the area clear of rubbish and take it home!
Kelvin Briggs
Wednesday 18th March 2020 at 7:53 am
Thanks for the support Roy. It's amazing what a difference individuals and groups collecting litter can make to our local environment.

A good number of our group are still continuing to litter pick and tidy in and around the village. We are tending to work separately from others at a sensible distance from people as advised by the government. We are working in the fresh air and taking sensible precautions to ensure our health and well-being.

In line with the most current recommendations from the government, if you over 70 and/or have underlying health conditions please look after yourself and best to stay home.

Hopefully in time we can resume a full programme of activity and we welcome anyone with a desire to improve our local environment to help with the fight against littering. Just an hours volunteering now and then, working alone or with our group picks on Monday mornings would be really great.
Jean Wearne
Friday 20th March 2020 at 1:48 pm
Sad that the Spring Clean has had to be postponed. I regularly walk to the park and could take my grabber as a litter picker, and a bag , with me when I go. In fact I do not remember seeing any litter there in the last few days. I keep to the social distance if I meet people!


I would like to add that the colourful flowers on Waitrose railings always lift my spirits. Thank you all you gardeners.