A super partnership which will step up Hartlepool's fight against litter - here's how it works

Poolie Time Exchange has formed a partnership with the Hartlepool Big Town Tidy Up (HBTTU) and that means even more momentum in the battle to beat the litter bugs.

Poolie Time Exchange (PTE) has bought 30 hi-viz vests as well as litter picking devices and 30 hoops to be used by HBTTU members.

PTE has also agreed to have its vans available for picking up rubbish when HBTTU holds one of its regular clean-up blitzes in town.

PTE project manager Dave Hunter said: "We see this as a long-term partnership. As the membership of HBTTU grows, we shall be there to give support.”

Speaking about the vests and equipment, Dave said: “It is about a sense of identity and about wearing the uniform. We also want to make sure that we provide vans when they are needed for picking rubbish up.”

Hartlepool Big Town Tidy Up co-founder Danny Oram said the momentum was already growing and the town’s streets are beginning to look a lot cleaner.

"We are seeing whole families getting involved and it is great to see fresh faces in our group.”

He praised the support of PTE and said: “This will do wonders. The donation will go down a storm with our members.”

Poolie Time Exchange is proving to be a huge support for the people of Hartlepool.

It has delivered more than 21,000 meals, and given out 11,000 bags of groceries between March and now. It’s 30 volunteers have handed out leaflets, helped with meals and assisted in sorting out the stockpile of donations of food.

HBTTU meanwhile, has seen its membership grow to more than 1,400 people during the lockdown. Members have collected around 10,000 bags of rubbish.

Part of their plan is to target every ward in Hartlepool within a year for a clean-up.

Danny said: “We are hoping to reach a membership of 1,500 people by the end of the year, and if we can get to 2,000 by next summer with 1,000 people going out and collecting each month, that would be great.

"It is also about educating people with mums and dads taking sons and daughters out with them.”

HBTTU is holding ward by ward clean-up blitzes and they have already tackled Jesmond and Throston; the Marina; Burn Valley; De Brus and Headland areas.

Litter bugs are leaving everything from false teeth to underwear on the streets of Hartlepool.

A guitar, a plastic banana skin, pregnancy test and part of a shopping trolley have also been found by anti-litter campaigners. The list also includes the cartridge from a caravan toilet, a printer, microwave, toaster, and bolt cutter.

But HBTTU is keen to hear from everyone who is interested in joining and litter picking. People can either join one of the group’s regular ward by ward events or tidy up in their own neighbourhood.

More details about HBTTU can be found through the Hartlepool Big Town Tidy Up page on Facebook.

To find out more about Poolie Time Exchange, visit here.

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