Help clean up Daventry district

Clean for The Queen aims to give the country a tidy-up ahead of The Queen’s 90th birthday in April and is centred on a weekend of activity, from March 4 to 6.

As part of the initiative Daventry District Council (DDC) is working with its partners including its environmental services contractor Enterprise Managed Services (EMS), Daventry Town Council and Daventry & District Housing, to organise and support clean-up events around the District.

DDC’s efforts will focus on a Day of Action to clean-up the Headlands estate in Daventry on Saturday March 5. Volunteers are being encouraged to help by meeting by the shops in Edinburgh Square at 10am and it is also hoped businesses will support litter-picks in this location and others over the weekend.

Together with its partners, the council is also encouraging and supporting groups and individuals who want to do their bit to help clear up their part of the District.

There are litter picking kits available on a first-come, first-served basis to groups that need it, featuring litter pickers, high-vis tabards, gloves and litter bags.

Assistance with risk assessments for community litter-picking events is available and the council will also ensure that all waste collected is taken away for disposal.

Groups on the Grange estate in Daventry, and in the villages of Weedon, Arthingworth and Moulton are among those organising litter picks with support from the council so far.

The council’s backing for Clean for the Queen is part of its ongoing Clean up my Community campaign, launched in 2014 in a bid to introduce a proactive approach to address environmental crimes across the district.

Cllr Jo Gilford, environment portfolio holder on Daventry District Council, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Clean for The Queen and we would encourage as many groups, individuals and organisations in Daventry district to take part.

“However this should not be seen simply as a short-term fix. We hope to use this opportunity to further grow our network of volunteers who we can support to help make communities cleaner and greener for years to come.

“Despite the successes of the Clean up my Community campaign so far, we know environmental crime such as dog fouling and littering continues to be a major concern for our residents, which is why tackling it remains a priority for this Council and why we will continue to work closely with residents to help keep communities clean and tidy.”

The Mayor of Daventry, Cllr Wendy Randall, said: “Clean for the Queen is an excellent opportunity for the whole community to come together to show they care about where they live.”

Clean for The Queen campaign director Adrian Evans said: “We hope a million people will join us in a mass litter pick to give our beautiful country the facelift it deserves.

“Litter is a problem that councils across the UK spend the best part of £1 billion clearing up every year. By taking part in Clean for The Queen and clearing up the country, individuals and communities will not only be giving The Queen a suitably impressive gift to mark her 90th birthday, they will also be giving themselves and their area a present – a clean space in which to live, work and play.”

To reserve litter picking equipment or find out more about volunteer opportunities, please email Sally Johnson on [email protected] or contact DDC’s Environmental Protection Team on 01327 871100.

Find litter picks in your area at www.cleanforthequeen or visit www.daventrydc.gov.uk/cleanforthequeen for information on support available locally.