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Litter pickers helped clear rubbish from Ninefields and Shelley.
Local residents joined our Community, Culture and Wellbeing Team (CCW), members of our youth council and Voluntary Action Epping Forest to take part in the Ninefields and Shelley Litter Pick Pod Community Clean Up, this October half term.
Residents come together
The event encouraged residents to come together, take pride in where they live and was well received by those who attended.
CCW has been working with residents in Ninefields in Waltham Abbey and Shelley, Ongar as part of their community consultation, which focused on residents’ concerns and worries during lockdown and what Epping Forest District Council can do to help. Litter was one of the top issues for residents, with many commenting on how it affected their view of where they live and impacted on their mental health.
17 bags of litter
Residents worked in their support bubbles of up to 6 people, keeping their distance from others and were armed with litter pickers, high-vis jackets, bin bags and gloves. They collected around 17 big bags of litter across both locations, helping to make their areas greener, cleaner places to live.
One local resident commented how they enjoyed coming together with other residents for a common cause while making the estate cleaner.
Bringing the community together
Councillor Holly Whitbread, Portfolio holder for Housing and Community said:
Events like this are great for bringing the community together to do something positive that will benefit everyone. Well done to all those who took part for braving the cold, miserable weather and clearing up as much as possible. A special thank you to the Epping Forest Youth Councillors and Biffa for their support.
Reactions from Epping Forest Youth Council
Members of the Epping Forest Youth Council used their half term to help with the Litter Pick Pod Community Clean Up.
After discovering a lot of discarded used cigarettes, Youth Councillor Daniel Turner suggested:
We need outdoor ashtrays to help keep our streets clean.
The Youth Councillors got their families involved too, Frank Cullis, Youth Councillor from Roding Valley High School said:
It was great to have my younger sister help us and gave us something different and useful to do as a family during the half term holiday.
Get involved
To get involved with future community events contact Patrick Arnold, Senior Community Engagement
- Call 01992 564556
- Email parnold@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
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