Vale gets tidier thanks to volunteers!
Local people took a hands-on role in community litter picks
that were held in the Vale of Glamorgan to mark 'Tidy Wales Week',
23 – 29 June.
A host of willing volunteers made a difference to cleaning up
local neighbourhoods, and they were led in doing so by the Vale of
Glamorgan Council's enforcement officer, and Vale woman of the
year, Denny White.
The two
biggest litter picks took place around the shops at Crawshay Court
in Llantwit Major, and in St Athan around the community centre,
outside of the east camp gates off Flemingstone Road.
The Vale Council's Cabinet Member for Visible and Building
Services, Cllr Geoff Cox (pictured below left) was delighted
to show his support and thanked the group, saying: “Their
enthusiasm to take pride and clear litter should be commended. Of
course, residents and visitors should realise that we do not want
to see rubbish appear on the streets in the first place. Besides it
being illegal to throw litter in the streets, it’s unsightly, a
hazard to small creatures and of course not environmentally
friendly,”
Denny White added: “Our sincere thanks are extended to all
involved. This demonstrates how a like-minded group of people can
achieve a common goal. My team would like to stress that a fine
will be imposed if you are caught littering, fly tipping and
graffiti writing. Whilst there are a minority of offenders, their
actions cause problems we would want to avoid and we would ask
communities to please report any incidents.”
Around ten
local groups contacted the council's enforcement team to get
involved with 'Tidy Wales Week', organised by Keep Wales Tidy. The
fleet of enthusiastic volunteers included those from schools and
the local community, and they were supported by Keep Wales Tidy
representatives, Community Police Officers, the Vale Council's
Youth Offending Team’s 'Visible Crew', and Community Support
Officers.
Keep Wales Tidy believes that changing attitudes and behaviour
will ultimately make a difference to how litter is approached.
Everyone who took part in 'Tidy Wales Week' received a kit to help
them with their efforts. The kit contained posters, tabards,
promotional items, bags, gloves and booklets.
To report fly-tipping, littering and graffiti, please call the
Vale of Glamorgan Council on 01446 700111 or email: visible@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.
Alternatively, for more information, please visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/recycle.
03/07/2008