Published: Tuesday, 11th June 2019
Volunteer litter pickers from Castle Rising were the first to receive their own set of litter picking equipment thanks to a grant received by the borough council.
People are being encouraged to take pride in their area following the award of £26,636 towards community clean up from the department for housing, communities and local government.
New litter picking kits, including hoops, scoops, high-vis vests and bags are one of the initiatives being launched.
Leader and deputy leader of the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Councillors Brian Long and Elizabeth Nockolds, handed over the new equipment to organiser and parish councillor Jon Taylor on Friday 7 June.
Mr Taylor said: “We arrange around four litter picks here each year and up to 15 people help out. It’s sad that people dispose of their rubbish in this way.
“We all spread out, clear as much as we can and work our way back into the centre of Castle Rising, meeting at The Reading Rooms after 45 minutes”.
Councillor, and Leader of the borough council, Brian Long said: “The grant of over £26,000 has been used to expand community clear up equipment. This has allowed us to encourage people to reduce litter and waste around west Norfolk.
“As well as litter picking kits, the council has purchased two new chewing gum removal devices. We already have one in King’s Lynn, now Downham Market and Hunstanton will get one each. Also new flagged wheelie bins, to be used during events, and more dog waste bins will be put up around the borough.
“Over the next few weeks, more groups who have borrowed equipment to clean up their area will be given their own equipment to keep”.
Councillor Elizabeth Nockolds, deputy leader, added: “The council has purchased enough equipment for fifteen volunteer litter teams and plan to issue 11 of these kits to voluntary groups and parishes who regularly undertake community clean up events. The ones we hold on to will be available for people to borrow.
I’m delighted to be handing over one of these kits to the volunteers here at Castle Rising who are keeping this picturesque area looking tidy and beautiful”.
The ten-person kits are available to book by calling 0800 2532687. Groups that have been booking kits regularly in the past will be presented with equipment to keep.