Local residents and Frome Town Council are joining the UK’s largest litter pick to try to clean up the country in time for June – when the official celebration of the Queen’s 90^th birthday will take place.

One big litter pick is being organised by local residents in the Stonebridge area of Frome on Saturday 5th March. Other litter picks are being organised by Frome Town Council, HopeFrome and the Mount Community Association.

As many volunteers as possible are needed, to make the neighbourhood as clean as possible for the spring.

To get involved, just come along on Saturday 5th March at 10.30am outside Tesco Express on Forest Road, until 12 noon. People will need to wear suitable outdoor clothing, footwear and gloves. All other equipment will be provided. The event is open to everyone, and children are welcome.

The litter pick is being organised by Annabel Macey of HopeFrome, local councillor Adam Boyden, and Frome Town Council’s Environment Manager, Chris Stringer.

Annabel said, “Last year we had more volunteers than ever with over 20 residents taking part. We worked for an hour, clearing bushes next to paths, open spaces, the stream and the old Showfield. Everyone had fun and together we made a real difference. We found drinks bottles, cans and food wrapping, an old chair and parts of a HiFi.”

Adam said, “With improvements to how street cleansing is managed, I hope to see less litter to pick up this year, but we will see! Joining in is a great way to help keep where we live in a good state, and is great for community spirit.”

So please do come along and help!

Contact details: Annabel: themaceys4@talktalk.net, Adam Boyden 07809 284817 / aomboyden@yahoo.co.uk. Frome Town Council: Chris Stringer, Environment Manager: cstringer@frometowncouncil.gov.uk, 01373 465757

See here for news on this from Frome Town Council, and please see here for news of last year’s successful Stonebridge litter pick. The official guidance on Clean for the Queen is here.

Update: Litter pick success

A group of nearly 20 men, women and children took part in the Stonebridge ‘Clean for the Queen’ community litter pick on Saturday 5th March. We all worked for an hour to clear litter from the stream corridor, open spaces and footpaths in Stonebridge, and then went and cleared the edges of the old Showfield too.

We collected a lot of rubbish from the bushes and brambles next to paths, open spaces and in the stream, including drinks bottles, cans, sweet and crisp wrappers, and some old tyres. It was great to see the difference it made to the stream and green corridors.

More litter bins along the paths leading from the shops would help residents keep the area clean, so we will be asking our town and district councils to provide a few more.

Thanks go to all the volunteers who helped, and to the town council and Mendip for their support. Thanks also to the many ‘lone ranger’ litter pickers who keep their streets clean every week.

cllr Adam Boyden, with Annabel and Phil Macey