Benson Tidy Group

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.

Currently most of the work is done by my Border Collie who collects crisp and other wrappers and plastic bottles. She then finds the nearest waste bin and puts the litter in it. She has been doing this for the past 5 years.

I have set up this group as I have been cleaning the burn near the Mosset Tavern since early 2011. The river fills up with plastic, glass and an assortment of garbage on a regular occasion. I am barely making any in roads into keeping the river clean and so I thought it would be great to have other community member join in to help. Together we can make the river a great place for the enjoyment of the community. In 2016, we merged our group with Forres Community Clean Up, a local group that cleans the streets and public places in Forres. Joe Pirnie is the co-ordinator of this group

A community group set up to keep the Templeton Drive estate tidy.

Mostly keeping Parsons Lane (Wilmington) tidy but other local areas too if time permits.

Hi, I'm Holly and I'm starting out litter picking to help make the area I live in cleaner and more attractive. I walk to work some days and I always marvel at how much rubbish there is, especially after bin collection days and it stays on the streets for weeks, so I wanted to do something about it! Alone but hopefully not for long, I have started picking litter in my area to make it a cleaner and more enjoyable place for everyone. I hope as I get more experience at this I can rally together the troops to start a regular litter picking group to help out and clean up Sopwell! If you'd be interested in joining me, you can send me an email to meet up and arrange a litter picking date. Tel. 07857 944 443 Email. Cleanupsopwell@outlook.com

Tewkesbury Friends of the Earth, are a friendly and eclectic group of people interested in working to raise awareness of environmental problems locally, nationally and globally. We meet regularly to litter pick. We also have a Facebook page.

We are local residents who are passionate about improving our environment. We achieve this through regular group litter picks, bulb planting and other related activities. We educate local youngsters in-school and encourage their participation wherever practical. 'The War on Litter - We've Got to Bin It to Win It.'

Community Association, combined with Youth Group and District Cllr

Bearpark Parish Council working in partnership with local residents, local groups and Durham County Council aim to litter pick on a quarterly basis. We strive towards living in a nicer, cleaner and better looking environment and pride ourselves in taking positive action to improve OUR local area.