Important:   Litter can be contaminated, so we have put together some information to help you handle it safely. Please click on this link to have a read through our Health and Safety Guidance before you go out litter-picking.

 

Love Where You Live 2015

Unit One, The Swan Centre,Eastleigh,SO50 5SG

09 Jun 2015

23:00

We are working in conjunction with Angela Peters from the New Forest Rangers from the New Forest National Park Authority & The Blackwater Conservation Group. The plan is to pull out a plant called Himalayan Balsam from an area of river bank in the National Park. What is Himalayan Balsam? It is a non-native invasive plant. Simply put it’s a plant that in native to the West & Central Himalayas which was brought over to the UK in the early 19th century as a garden plant and was first recorded here in 1855. It was and still is popular with the general public .You may also hear it called Indian Balsam. It is a tall, attractive annual plant with explosive seed heads. It is easy to identify as an mature plant as it has a fleshy stem, pink-purple flowers and characteristic leaves. It can grow up to 2.5m tall in one season.

Where is it found? It is widespread in the UK especially along river banks and in damp woodland but it can also grow in any other damp habitat. So why are we going to be clearing it? As it grows so fast in just one season, it out grows most of our native plants and flowers meaning that it reduces their growth by two thirds. This means that when it completely dies back in winter it leaves the river banks bare which can lead to erosion. When it grows in such dense amounts it can stop the river flow increasing the likelihood of flooding during high rain fall. When are we doing this event? We are doing this event on Wednesday 10th June. We will meet Angela Peters, the New Forest Ranger at 10am at the arranged site. We will then be instructed about how to clear the plant and be told safety information. We will work for half a day finishing at around 1pm and will stop for a tea break as well. What should we wear? Dress appropriately for the weather, so if the forecast is for rain, bring a rain coat and waterproof trousers (if you have them.) If sun is forecast bring a hat and sun cream. Whatever the weather it is essential that you wear: long trousers/jeans, long sleeved top and wellies or walking boots Where the Balsam is located there are also brambles and stinging nettles so the long trousers/shirt will stop you getting stung and/or pricked! We also suggest that you bring a pair of gardening gloves (these can be bought cheaply from In Excess). They will provide gloves but they will have been worn by lots of other people….. What else should we know? There will be limited parking at the site so car share as much as possible. There will not be a public toilet nearby so be prepared to use the natural “facilities”. We met Angela Peters & the Blackwater Conservation Group at 10am at the arranged point. After a brief health & safety chat we walked to our picking destination for the day, a meadow overgrown with balsam. We worked together picking all of the balsam out by the roots(vital if it is to stop it re-growing) and placed them in piles to rot down naturally. We moved down the site picking as we went and managed to clear quite a wide area working together. After we had finished it was very satisfying to look back and see how much we had picked. It was worth it despite our sore backs and nettle stings!!.

upcoming Events

No upcoming events

past Events

Jersey Summer 2019

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2019.

Burley Litter Pick September 2017

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2017.

Minstead September 2017

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2017.

Bennett\'s Community Crew Does The Great British Spring Clean

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2017.

Great British Spring Clean 2017 - Swaythling

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2017.

Love Where You Live 2014

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2011.

2014 Litter Picks

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2011.

Work With Local Schools

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2011.

The Big Park Challenge 2013

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2011.

Recycling Project Christchurch

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2011.

Bennett\'s Big Litter Relay

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2011.

East Hampshire Events 2011

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2011.

West Hampshire 2011

NB - These events are retrospective. We have had to add these events back to our page after the site was redesigned and all of our previous events were deleted. These events took place over 2011.

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Nearby Groups

These groups are near to you in case you want to contact them for advice, to offer them support or, for example, to share equipment with them.

Friends of Warndon Villages
The Friends of Warndon Villages are an active community volunteer group working to improve and enhance Warndon Villages in Worcester, UK.
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9 years
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Fylde Litter Action Group (FLAG)
Fylde Litter Action Group (FLAG) is a partnership between Fylde Council departments and various other local organisations, street reps and voluntary groups that are concerned with tackling litter within the Fylde Council area, including the St Annes Beach Care Group, Fairhaven Coastal Care Group and The Friends of the Estuary Coastal Care Group in Lytham. FLAG has been set up with the ultimate aim of preventing dropped litter in the area. FLAG is also involved with educating on litter related issues by providing advice, information practical assistance and enforcement where needed. FLAG = WORKING TOGETHER FOR A CLEANER GREENER FYLDE!
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9 years
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Keeping Coleshill clean
To keep Coleshill clean , we need more volunteers!
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14 years
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Dagenham Community Volunteers
A litter picking group covering Beam Parklands / Old Dagenham Park. Looking for more volunteers so we can over a larger area.
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4 years
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Friends of Stoneleigh Park
Community group made up of residents, agencies and Oldham Council. The aims of The Friends of Stoneleigh Park (FOSP) are: •To help protect, conserve and enhance Stoneleigh Park as a place of freedom, recreation and enjoyment for the community. •To help protect, conserve and enhance the environment of Derker •To gather input from local people, organisations and representative groups so that the group may best serve the residents of Derker. •To organise events/activities for the local community .
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Guildford Litter Action
Currently litter picking in the Bellfields area of Guildford. New volunteers welcome for this and all other Guildford areas!
0
3 years
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Fenton litter pickers
I am tired of seeing rubbish and dog fouling in my local area. We have a beautiful park and nature reserve and I'm seeing more and more fly tipping not just here but all around my local area. I am hoping there are like minded people out there who for a few hours whenever you can we can organise a clean up of the most blighted places and into the bargain get some much needed excercise and make a few friends along the way. I hope to hear from you soon.
0
6 years
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Marske Litter Action
Local people working to keep Marske-by-the-sea litter free. We organise regular beach clean ups and litter picking around our area. We have cabinets where you can borrow equipment to do your own litter pick at a time that suits you. Get in touch or join us at our next event if you want to help out! Events are advertised on our Facebook page - just search for Marske Litter Action or email us at marskelitteraction@hotmail.com
1878
16 years
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Fulbourn Forum for community action
We aim to clear litter from most streets and out to the parish boundaries twice a year.
720
14 years
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Corfe Mullen/Wimborne
The B roads and public walking routes and fields between Corfe Mullen and Wimborne are becoming dropzones for litter impacting on scenery and wildlife. I regularly pick up litter on walks and encourage others to do likewise. Aim...reduce litter in BH21 and surrounds tok eep our area beautiful.
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Start a LitterAction group

Here at CleanupUK, we want to help you to take LitterAction! Wherever you live in the UK, forming your own community litter-picking group will help to keep your community safer, more friendly and free of litter. It’s lots of fun too. Why not muck in and join us?

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