The Hartlepool army which is waging war on litter - and here's how you can join

An army of 1,000 campaigners is fighting Hartlepool’s ‘rubbish on the streets’ problem and there's plenty of room for more people to join.
Members of a group called the ‘Big Town Tidy Up’ have collected everything from abandoned bags of dog dirt to gas canisters.Members of a group called the ‘Big Town Tidy Up’ have collected everything from abandoned bags of dog dirt to gas canisters.
Members of a group called the ‘Big Town Tidy Up’ have collected everything from abandoned bags of dog dirt to gas canisters.

Members of a group called the ‘Big Town Tidy Up’ have collected everything from abandoned bags of dog dirt to gas canisters.

They have taken 4,000 bags of other people’s rubbish off the streets of the town and they won’t be letting up in their battle for clean streets.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The band of volunteers has the support Hartlepool Borough Council in their efforts to make a difference and want to get across the message that ‘this is everyone’s fight’.

Russ Carkner collected 15 bags of rubbish on this litter pick last May.Russ Carkner collected 15 bags of rubbish on this litter pick last May.
Russ Carkner collected 15 bags of rubbish on this litter pick last May.

Group founder Jason Bland, who co-founded ‘Big Town Tidy Up’ with Danny Oram, set it up 18 months ago and it has just topped 1,000 members.

Jason said: “We want to bring a bit of pride back to the town and not look at litter all the time. This is a really positive movement and it is growing.

“Since lockdown, a lot of parents and children have gone out and supported us. We want to do this for the next generation.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jason and his fellow members have created a group where litter collecting is seen as positive, therapeutic and a chance to make a difference to the community.

Pizza boxes, cardboard and more in this collection by Russ Carkner - and he did it despite high winds in May.Pizza boxes, cardboard and more in this collection by Russ Carkner - and he did it despite high winds in May.
Pizza boxes, cardboard and more in this collection by Russ Carkner - and he did it despite high winds in May.

Danny told the Hartlepool Mail: “Each day, there are people picking up litter and taking pride in our town.”

On his own litter picks, Danny said he had found ‘laughing gas canisters and sometimes I have found syringes as well.

People can either sit back and litter streets or they can take ownership, join in and create a pride and a passion in and around the town.

“The council is on board, residents are on board.”

Twenty bags were collected by Russ Carkner in the Hart Lane area at the start of this month.Twenty bags were collected by Russ Carkner in the Hart Lane area at the start of this month.
Twenty bags were collected by Russ Carkner in the Hart Lane area at the start of this month.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He and Jason thanked people who had supported the group including Coun Dave Hunter for making a donation to buy litter picking equipment, Garry Jones for litter picking equipment and bags, and Shane Moore for his support in trying to grow the group.

And they urged more litter pickers to come forward.

One of the group’s members Scott Robson, who is back in his hometown while he is furloughed in his job as a sports equipment installer, told how he and his sister had collected five carrier bags of litter in 90 minutes from Seaton beach.

“The main thing we found was wipes which don’t degrade. Everything else was pretty much plastic as well as some metal drink cans.

Scott Robson and his sister Gemma collected five bags of rubbish in 90 minutes from Seaton beach at the end of May.Scott Robson and his sister Gemma collected five bags of rubbish in 90 minutes from Seaton beach at the end of May.
Scott Robson and his sister Gemma collected five bags of rubbish in 90 minutes from Seaton beach at the end of May.

“It was a red hot day when we did the litter pick and we filled five bags of rubbish. There is no excuse for people dropping litter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“People think it is the council’s job but it is everyone’s.”

He said he found the litter on the beach at a time when there were empty bins in Seaton Carew.

Another member of ‘Big Town Tidy Up’ is Russ Carkner who shared photos of his litter picking. They show Russ has found everything from wheel trims to pizza boxes.

Hartlepool Council praised those who litter pick in the town, both those who do it as part of a group and others who volunteer on their own.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that there are many individuals and groups who regularly give up their own time to help protect and improve the local environment and we would like to thank them all for their efforts .

One of Jason Bland's litter collections in which seven refuse bags were filled.One of Jason Bland's litter collections in which seven refuse bags were filled.
One of Jason Bland's litter collections in which seven refuse bags were filled.

“The Council is currently drawing up plans for a new campaign to tackle the scourge of litter across the Borough, and to try to ensure its success we aim to harness this sense of community spirit.

“We would urge as many people as possible to support the on-going effort to keep Hartlepool as clean and tidy as possible – either by organising their own clean-ups or by simply ensuring that they always dispose of their rubbish responsibly.

“By working together we really can make a difference.”

To find out more about ‘Big Town Tidy Up’ visit the group’s page on Facebook.

Read More
Hartlepool independent businesses call for shoppers' support as they reopen afte...

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.