Cadets get their hands dirty as Coalville gets a spring clean

Young members of the Coalville Air Cadets have been out in force to help remove more than 60 bin bags of litter from the town after joining the annual community spring clean.

Coalville was just one of a number of towns and villages across North West Leicestershire to host a litter pick over the last few weeks as part of the Great British Spring Clean.

Led by North West Leicestershire District Council, the Coalville clean-up targeted parts of the town that attract the most litter, including Ashby Road, Baker Street, Thornborough Road and Bridge Road.

The team of cadets from the 1188 Coalville Squadron Air Training Corps were joined by a handful of community volunteers, councillors and staff from NWLDC’s Street Cleansing team.

Ashby’s litter pick which was organised by the town council and supported by NWLDC, saw more than 150 bags collected by an army of around 40 volunteers.

Councillor Alison Smith MBE, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Services at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “Thank you to all the litter pickers across the district that gave up their time to make our towns and villages cleaner and tidier.

“Our Street Cleansing team works tirelessly to remove litter from the district but they can’t be everywhere at once, and we’re so grateful to the volunteers that help us with the huge task.

“Of course, a better solution is that people don’t drop litter in the first place. We’d love to one day have to cancel all community litter picks! I’d encourage anyone who appreciates the hard work done by the cadets, our staff and volunteers across the district to think before they drop litter – take it home or put it in a bin.”

Hazel McDowell was one of the volunteers that joined the Coalville litter pick. She said: "It was good to take part in the Coalville litter pick and to do something which has a positive impact on our local environment.  I think it is a great way to bring the community together and will hopefully encourage more people to get involved and make a difference."

Community litter picking is not something that is only done during the Great British Spring Clean and NWLDC encourages volunteers to take part all year round. 

The district already has a healthy team of community litter pickers, and if you would like to get involved, visit www.nwleics.gov.uk/litter or contact Ruth or Jackie on 01530 454863.