Latest news with #KeepBritainTidy
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Heckmondike campaigners call for an end to 'careful littering'
A campaign to highlight the impact of "careful littering" will be trialled in a West Yorkshire to Keep Britain Tidy, "careful littering" involves people leaving disposable cups, newspapers and other items placed on benches or walls, rather than throwing them on the charity has chosen to focus on the issue in Heckmondwike as part of its efforts to tackle the Lonsdale, a volunteer with Keep Hecky Tidy, said: "Getting rid of litter brings back a sense of pride, if there is litter everywhere it shows that people do not care but if we can make the town look better it attracts people here." Ms Lonsdale, 60, has been volunteering with the group for the past four years and regularly takes part in litter picks in the town."I think it is great that we are the catalyst for something that is going to go nationwide," she said."It absolutely frustrates me when there is litter, it is just pure laziness."Some of the things we have found you really do not want to know about."According to Keep Britain Tidy, one in four people in Heckmondwike admit to "careful littering".The organisation's work in the town will help to shape its litter reduction efforts across the UK, a spokesperson said. The campaign will see new signs placed across the town and litter picking events held in partnership with schools and businesses.A series of images showing living statues leaving coffee cups, sandwich wrappers and newspapers have also been commissioned by the organisation to highlight the issue."This is about the kind of littering that everybody will see but many do not even think of as littering, like a coffee cup placed on a step," said Helen Bingham, from Keep Britain Tidy."They are not mindlessly throwing but it is still littering, it makes a place look unloved and uncared for."It increases fear of crime and it impacts economic growth because people do not want to invest in somewhere that looks like no one cares."She said the organisation would monitor attitudes to the campaign in the town in order to "develop a blueprint and shift the dial on littering". Campaigners said education was key to tackling the Gautry, founder of Keep Hecky Tidy, said volunteers often saw cans "popped on top" of walls."They get blown off, it is really important people understand it is all littering, whether you are throwing it or leaving it somewhere", she said. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
STV News
31-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Dedicated task force removes thousands of pieces of chewing gum from city streets
Thousands of pieces of chewing gum have been removed from Aberdeen city centre thanks to a £27,500 grant. The clean-up on Union Street comes after Aberdeen City Council became one of 52 areas across the country that successfully applied to the Chewing Gum Task Force. Aberdeen City Council co-leader councillor Ian Yuill said: 'This additional action to remove chewing gum really helps with the shared aim of improving the city centre. 'The area should be pleasant and attractive for the benefit of all businesses, visitors, and residents. 'The £27,500 grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force is a welcome boost to enable more cleaning and to introduce signage aimed at preventing the unacceptable practice of discarding chewing gum. 'The collective work is important and will hopefully be able to make a lasting difference.' Cleaning teams use a machine to remove detritus from the pavements to see the gum, and then they use heat and low pressure to melt the gum away. Aberdeen City Council Net Zero's environment and transport vice convener, councillor Miranda Radley, said removing gum takes 'time and money' and has urged residents to keep the streets clean. 'The council's cleansing team work hard keeping Union Street free of litter. 'We'd ask people, as always, not to drop litter, including chewing gum, as it is unsightly and its removal takes time and money.' The £27,500 grant awarded to Aberdeen City Council was part of a UK-wide chewing gum task force grant scheme. The scheme was established by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. The task force, a new fund aimed at helping authorities clean chewing gum from the UK's towns and cities, has given £7m to councils across the UK. Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: 'Chewing gum continues to be an unsightly form of litter in our public spaces – though thankfully the scheme is leading to significant reductions. 'People need to remember that disposing irresponsibly of their gum causes harm to our environment as it takes years to decompose naturally – and, ultimately, costs the public purse to clean it up.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
28-07-2025
- BBC News
Adur and Worthing to host nature walks for Love Parks Week
Birds, bugs and butterflies are being celebrated in West Sussex with a host of nature walks and part of Love Parks Week, Adur and Worthing councils have organised free events to help families connect with nature and find out more about local green week-long celebration, hosted by Keep Britain Tidy, highlights the important role nature plays in improving health and Monday 28 July to Friday 1 August, the councils' parks teams will be hosting guided nature walks to teach people of all ages how to identify different species of plants, birds and insects. Activity days will feature children's bug and scavenger hunts and tree and plant identification full schedule and list of locations can be found on Adur and Worthing's Facebook page.
BBC News
26-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Ulverston's charity-owned park awarded green flag
A charity-run park has been awarded a green flag in recognition of its Park in Ulverston, Cumbria, was handed the award by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, which recognises high-quality green spaces."Ford Park is a vital green space for communities in Ulverston to enjoy nature and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise," said Paul Todd, the awards scheme park's management said they were "thrilled" with the award, which recognised the hard work of volunteers. "We're incredibly proud to be recognised for the care and commitment that goes into maintaining our eight-acre community greenspace," a spokesman park has a kitchen garden, an orchard, trails and an adventure play is situated just below the Sir John Barrow Monument on Hoad Hill, which has been portrayed by celebrated artist LS Lowry. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Yahoo
Free summer activities offered at towns' parks
Parks across North East Lincolnshire are to host free family activities, including pond dipping, wildlife walks, bug hunting and butterfly counting, officials have said. Sessions will be held from 25 July to 31 August as part of Love Parks Week - a national initiative organised by Keep Britain Tidy to celebrate the importance of green spaces. North East Lincolnshire Council's ecology team will lead the activities. Councillor Henry Hudson, portfolio holder for the environment, said: "If you don't go along to your local park very often, or you fancy seeing one of the other parks in the town that you haven't visited before, then please go along to these events." Hudson added: "We have some beautiful and historical parks that truly feed the soul, and our new coastal ranger will be on hand to give you an insight into the importance of the environmental impact these green spaces bring to our region. "The summer holidays can be difficult for parents to find ways of entertaining their children, but these free events will be great fun and a little bit educational too." The following activities are planned: 25 July, 10:00 - 12:00 BST, at West Marsh Country Park, Grimsby: wildflower walk, bug hunt and butterfly count 25 July, 13:00 - 14:00 BST, at Grimsby in Bloom, Duke of York Gardens: pond dipping and butterfly count 28 July, 10:00 - 12:00 BST, at Pilgrim Park, Immingham: tree aging, bug hunt and butterfly count 29 July, 10:00 - 12:00 BST, at Cleethorpes Boating Lake: pond dipping and butterfly count 30 July, 10:00 - 12:00 BST, at Cleethorpes Country Park: pond dipping and butterfly count 31 July, 10:00 - 12:00 BST, at Ainslie Street Park, Grimsby: bug hunt and butterfly count Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices More on this story Public asked to count butterflies Related internet links North East Lincolnshire Council
