Diamond (Ridge) Geezers

One of the Mendip Society's aims is to care for the Mendip Hills. The beauty of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is being compromised by the rubbish left behind by it's thousands of visitors (and residents too!) This group of members is starting to wage a war on litter, joining up with other groups whenever we can.

The Trust has been in existence for over 20 years but only started its annual spring litter pick in 2007. Normally between 10 and 20 people turn out to help. We also have individual members that keep their local area free of litter. We are a registered charity, which aims to improve the environment in the village and promote a high standard of development, whether it be in new buildings or the renovation and alteration of existing property. We aim to secure the protection and improvement of features of public and historic interest and encourage an interest in the history of the area. Issues that we have addressed over recent years include the desirability and standard of new development proposals and changes to the use and appearance of existing buildings, a wide variety of traffic and highway issues, litter and dog fouling. We have arranged for the erection of plaques to provide information about people and buildings of historic interest, organised village litter pick days and had a variety of speakers at our open meetings. We have presented Design Awards for the best new development, following a poll of members. In the past we have published booklets of items about the history and development of the village and produced a leaflet of heritage trails in the village. More recently we have produced a local directory and been assisting the local businesses and community groups in organising the Shotley Bridge Victorian Christmas Weekend, including litter picks to keep the village looking attractive during the event. In 2011 we were awarded 'outstanding' in the RHS 'It's Your Neighbourhood" award scheme for Britain in Bloom. We have purchased 50 flower tubs, 8 barrier baskets and a trough for the conservation area and our volunteers plant and maintain summer & winter bedding. in 2012 we entered Northumbria in Bloom and were awarded Silver. We gained a Silver Gilt in 2013 and again in 2014. We are aiming for Gold in 2015. Each year we give awards for the best business & residential floral displays. Open meetings are held 3 times a year in the Catholic Church Hall for members and guests to raise and discuss issues arising in the village. Please visit our website for further information.

'Putting litter where the sun doesn't shine!' A small group of like-minded people focused on tackling litter hotspots in and around the Teignmouth / Newton Abbot area.

My aim is to raise awareness of the growing problem of litter in our society and through example, re educate people and instill pride in the place they live in by picking up litter as I go

Cleaning the local canal, park and Litter picking

We live here and care about our neighbourhood. It is up to us to look after it and make it a nice place to live. Our ground-zero is Sheerwater Recreation Area. This is a heavily used open space which many of us enjoy using. Because it is so popular it inevitably attracts a lot of rubbish - but this is an easy, and rewarding, problem to deal with. Once we've cleaned up the park on one of our regular n0 $#!+ sessions, then we extend our reach outwards along the canal and neighbouring areas to cover as much as we can.

Sending an invitation to those in our local area who share my wish to enjoy our local environment without the litter-fringed roads and verges that so many seem to have accepted as the norm.

We are a small group of Volunteers passionate about keeping our Town and Country clean. We get out and about most days collecting rubbish from our hedgerows, parks and walks. We are happy to work with other local groups and organisations including educational talks and bringing awareness to this problem we have in our Towns and Country. Must of us within the group have mental health problems and or unseen disabilities and discovered walking and hiking helps with our day to day depression and anxiety and by collecting rubbish on our walks also gives us purpose and feelings of achievement. You will find us on Facebook

I am sick of going into the countryside and finding people have dumped there crap, ie Car Tyres, beds, car seats, cookers, and other crap. I would like to be able to stop this happening but I know that will be hard so I am happy to make it difficult for people.

Keeping the area litter free and making it a nicer place to live. Parks, Water Parks, Mersey Paths and anywhere else that perhaps is an eyesore and needs some TLC from the local Litter Squad.