Latest news with #GillThomas
BBC News
10 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Stroud woman aims to fix 'appalling' litter problem
A woman aiming to fix what she describes as an "appalling" litter problem, is leading a team of volunteers on a 22 mile (35km) overnight walk to collect Thomas, Stroud District Council's Member Champion for Litter and Clean Environment, has organised many long-distance personal challenges where she will litter pick along the Thomas is also running a campaign which aims to provide primary school children with litter pickers which they can use to keep the area around their school clean."It's about raising awareness and trying to do something to make a difference," she said. Ms Thomas says she came up with the idea after running the Stroud Half Marathon in the run, she picked up 22 bags of rubbish along the 13.1 mile (21km) far, 45 schools in the Stroud District area have signed up for the Litter Pickers for Little Pickers campaign and more than 1,400 grabbers have been handed Thomas, who this month has been given an award for her community efforts, is additionally raising money to buy books about the importance of protecting the environment for the said the response has been "incredible" and shows the "strong desire" for action in the community, which she said will benefit more than 7,000 children in the area. Ms Thomas said: "Some people have the attitude that it's okay to drop rubbish in the streets, as someone else - usually the council - will clear up after them."But the council can't be out every day as well as doing weekly bin collections; so it's the responsibility of all of us to help keep our streets tidy."If we all do a little bit when we're out and about, and make it a team effort, it will benefit everyone."
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Woman aims to fix 'appalling' litter problem
A woman aiming to fix what she describes as an "appalling" litter problem, is leading a team of volunteers on a 22 mile (35km) overnight walk to collect rubbish. Gill Thomas, Stroud District Council's Member Champion for Litter and Clean Environment, has organised many long-distance personal challenges where she will litter pick along the way. Ms Thomas is also running a campaign which aims to provide primary school children with litter pickers which they can use to keep the area around their school clean. "It's about raising awareness and trying to do something to make a difference," she said. More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire Ms Thomas says she came up with the idea after running the Stroud Half Marathon in 2024. Throughout the run, she picked up 22 bags of rubbish along the 13.1 mile (21km) route. So far, 45 schools in the Stroud District area have signed up for the Litter Pickers for Little Pickers campaign and more than 1,400 grabbers have been handed out. Ms Thomas, who this month has been given an award for her community efforts, is additionally raising money to buy books about the importance of protecting the environment for the children. She said the response has been "incredible" and shows the "strong desire" for action in the community, which she said will benefit more than 7,000 children in the area. Ms Thomas said: "Some people have the attitude that it's okay to drop rubbish in the streets, as someone else - usually the council - will clear up after them. "But the council can't be out every day as well as doing weekly bin collections; so it's the responsibility of all of us to help keep our streets tidy. "If we all do a little bit when we're out and about, and make it a team effort, it will benefit everyone." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'I'm a one-man-band litter picker with no help' Paddleboarding litter-pickers clean up river Litter warning after 50-year-old crisp packet find Stroud District Council
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
More CCTV and police patrols in clampdown across Stroud canal
NEW CCTV, more police patrols and removing graffiti tags are some of the measures being taken to reduce anti-social behaviour across the canal towpath in Stroud. Volunteers from the Cotswold Canals Trust are working with town and district councils, the police and more in order to reduce anti-social behaviour along the canal path. The aims of these measures is to make the towpath a 'safer' and 'more welcoming' space for everyone. Measures include exploring options for more CCTV at 'hotspot' locations, more patrols by police and volunteers plus removing graffiti tags. (Image: Cotswold Canals Trust) A CCT spokesperson said: "Our volunteers have taken the lead in uniting canal-side organisations to help reduce anti-social behaviour along the Stroudwater Navigation. "In collaboration with Stroud District Council (SDC), Stonehouse Town Council, local PCSOs, Cotswold Canals Connected, parish councils, and canal-side residents, this joint initiative is working to make the towpath a safer, more welcoming space for everyone. "CCTV options are being explored at hotspot locations. "Regular patrols are being undertaken by CCT volunteers and Community Officers – including new evening walks "Hazards are being removed and litter is picked weekly meanwhile graffiti tags are being overpainted and reported with funding being sought for wider removal. "There is a focus on responsible dog ownership and a clear towpath code of conduct meanwhile there is also ongoing vegetation management and Giant Hogweed control to protect users and wildlife." Gill Thomas, Stroud district councillor (Green, Minchinhampton) and CCT volunteer said: 'Tackling anti-social behaviour is critical to ensuring the canal remains a clean, safe and enjoyable space. "The canal is one of Stroud's most important cultural assets, bringing tourism and investment to the area. "It also plays a vital role in supporting an abundance of wildlife, and is loved by locals for its unique heritage and wellbeing benefits. 'We're working extremely hard to address ongoing issues like litter and graffiti and reminding all users about the importance of considerate use of the tow path. "We all have a responsibility to not only take care of the environment, but also each other, and that's an important part of the work we're doing.' A police spokesperson said: 'PCSOs from the Stroud Neighbourhood Policing Team are working in partnership with the Canal Trust and have regular meetings where we patrol the area and discuss any issues. 'A Neighbourhood Watch scheme is currently being set up in the area to help local residents and those in the community to also share information. 'There are deployable CCTV cameras which can be used by police and we are considering if they can be used in areas along the canal path that are of concern. 'We are aware of concerns about a broken viaduct gate and have liaised with Network Rail to facilitate for this to be repaired." Anyone with concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area should complete this form -
