Hitchin Forum’s Autumn Clean-up
As usual, about 120 volunteer litter pickers turned-out to tidy up the town on Sunday 12th October. Early estimates are that over 70 bags of litter were collected from a total of 17 areas around the town. There was great support from Holy Saviour Guides working their customary magic in the Dell, 3rd Hitchin Cubs on Ransom’s Recreation Ground and Hitchin Tennis Club members on Bancroft.
The reduction in the amount of litter in the ‘traditional’ areas, such as Windmill Hill or Butts Close remains a trend. The amount collected by Holy Saviour Guides was much reduced compared with previous totals – surprising because we would normally expect to see an increase due to the popularity of the Dell as a meeting place during the summer months. Volunteers were careful to follow North Herts Council instructions on vapes or catering packs of nitrous oxide, although it is pleasing that very few of either were found. One volunteer did highlight the amount of rubbish in areas we do not pick for a variety of reasons, especially high footfall areas close to the town centre and alongside busy roads. Since our previous event in the spring, Cadwell Lane recreation ground and the Lane itself between its junction with Bilton Road and the railway bridge has been the subject of an intense individual campaign on the part of Tony Sims (see Newsletter 186). Volunteers at Cadwell Lane found some litter, but nothing like the amount that had been there in the past – congratulations to Tony and others who are dedicated to keeping their local patch clean and tidy.
With thanks to Visit Hitchin and North Herts Council for their help with this.
If you would like to take part in the Forum’s autumn event in March next year, please email hflitterpick@gmail.com – the date will be announced soon.
