PICKING up litter and keeping their area tidy clearly matters to a community in Hyde.
The opening of a new ‘Litter Hub’ at St Mary’s Church in Newton brought together volunteers, local councillors, children from Bradley Green Primary Academy and local MP Jonathan Reynolds.
The children, all members of the school’s Eco Committee, rolled up their sleeves to join in a litter pick around the Bradley Green Road school and talk to local residents.
The Litter Hub in Newton is now one of 19 located across Tameside where people and groups can borrow equipment for free – including gloves, litter pickers and hi-vis jackets – to help pledge their time to clean up their area’s streets.
Newton councillor Hugh Roderick, who is the Litter Hub’s Champion, is encouraging residents to use the hub.
Anyone looking to set up or take part in a local litter pick is asked to get in touch with him by emailing hugh.roderick@tameside.gov.uk or calling 07934 916 305 to arrange to borrow equipment.
Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Services said the Litter Hubs empower local people to take responsibility for keeping their community clean and tidy.
“They are an invaluable tool that supports the brilliant work of the local community, and pupils such as these, carried out alongside the Council work done every day to keep us all cleaner and safer,” said Councillor Denise Ward.
“By providing free equipment available from community spaces, residents can play a role too to help us keep Tameside tidy by utilising these resources to take part in clean-ups.
“Whether it’s a gathering of friends, neighbours, or a community group, we want people to come together and have a fun time while taking pride in their area. By working together, we can continue making Tameside cleaner for everyone.”
People can find out more about Litter Hubs in Tameside at www.tameside.gov.uk/litterhubs