‘It shows what can be achieved when we work together’ – Steeple Morden parish litter pickers get stuck in to clean up Odsey

South Cambridgeshire MP Heidi Allen and South Cambs District Councillor Cicely Murfitt who helped with the event in Odsey. (Image: Archant)

Parish councillor Ginny Belson spearheaded the ‘60 minute-makeover’ initiative, where volunteers go out litter picking to make a difference to the community, and was pleased to get 20 people go along, including four children and South Cambs MP Heidi Allen.

Mrs Allen said “I was pleased to be able to volunteer and support this local initiative – I think we were all amazed at the difference we made to our area in just 60 minutes.

“In addition to the usual cans and crisp wrappers there were some more interesting finds! It shows what can be achieved when local residents work together and I would encourage all wards and villages to organise similar events. It’s so easy and makes such a difference!”

The Parish Council registered with the Cambs County Council’s Community Highways Volunteering scheme which allows communities to step in and work on the highways in their area, helping the county council to maintain highways to a high standard. The scheme gives parishes the opportunity to carry out works that would otherwise be a low priority for the county council.

Freddie Belson, 9, and 10-year-old Eli Curtin went along to help the clean-up effort (Image: Archant)

The Jester Country Inn in Odsey kindly provided the volunteers with a well-earned cup of tea afterwards. Owners Damien and Ceri Levett said “We were delighted to be able to offer the litter pickers a complementary cup of tea after their hard work.

“We were really impressed by the amount of rubbish they collected in just 60 minutes and the visible difference it made to the local area”.

Chair of Steeple Morden Parish Council, John Brocklehurst – who lives in Odsey – said “We were delighted by the number of people who turned out to support this inaugural litter pick and hope we will see the same level of support across the Parish at future events. We were all very grateful to the Jester for providing much needed refreshments when we had finished.”

The Parish’s next hour-long litter pick event will take place in Litlington Road, Steeple Morden on April 8 at 2pm.

The litter pickers enjoying a complimentary cup of tea afterwards in the garden of the Jester, Odsey. (Image: Archant)

For further information call Ginny Belson on 07762 051766 or email smlitterpick@yahoo.com.