Middlewich Clean Team

Keeping the 2 Dales of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale free from litter for the enjoyment of our local community and many visitors to our area of outstanding natural beauty in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The Clean-up Team is part of West Rainton Green Group, which was formed in April 2003. We aim to remove litter from paths, bridleways, road verges and other open space in the vicinity of West Rainton, thereby improving the attractiveness of the local area. The work is undertaken by members of the Green Group in their spare time. We organise about five or six events each year, and members of our team also collect litter on an individual basis from time to time when the need arises. Since the start of the project we have collected 100 - 150 bags a year, and attempt to recycle as much as possible, particularly cans and bottles. Prior to each event contact is made with Durham County Council, who provide a truck to remove all the bags that are collected. We have contributed to national and regional environmental programmes such as Community Service Volunteers 'Action Earth' campaign, City of Sunderland's 'Just Bin It' campaign, Litterfree Durham's 'Big Spring Clean' and the ENCAMS 'Big Tidy Up'. Since 2009 we have worked in partnership with Network Rail to clean up a nearby length of disused railway. As well as litter-picking we also alert Durham County Council and City of Sunderland Council to fly-tipping in the vicinity of the village as soon as it happens. Prompt removal has significantly improved the visual appeal of local lanes and paths. About 300 incidents have been reported since 2003.

The Brereton Clean Team is organised by the Brereton Parish Community Interest Group. We are affiliated to the Sandbach Clean Team. We litter pick around the Parish every 2 months. This is always on Saturday mornings, 10am-12pm.

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.

Parish Council - improving village life for Stretton residents

a mixed group of people clearing the area around Hounslow Gurdwara

The Middlewich Clean Team was set up with the basic intention of keeping our town litter free. However we now do much more as we have an education programme working in all of our schools and pre-school groups and have carried out a number of environmental projects. We have a small committee and well over 100 members. Litter picking is undertaken by all members, either by joining a group litter pick or simply by keeping an area litter free. We have also worked with Government Departments on controlling ant-social behaviour and very recently, several of our members qualified as Community Crime Fighters and have been involved in the restorative justice system. We help set up other Clean Teams nationally and are the Mother Clean Team to some of the other organisations included on this site.

At the moment I do some Ad-hoc litter clearance in Thornby and lend support to other intitatives such as CPRE Northants litter picks. I also support the Stop the Drop campaign and any action they take.

The Neighbourhood Watch scheme aims to develop community cohesion and help people feel safer and more secure in their homes and local environment

Albany Park