Tag Archives: Duke Of Edinburgh Award

News Update : 30-MAR-26

Since the last news update, we have:

a) Continued with our twice monthly litter picks :

7 volunteers met at The Farmer’s Arms, in pleasant sunshine, on Wednesday 04-MAR-26.  We collected 11 bags. The areas covered included Alderley Road, Broadway, the High School entrance, Parkway, the area around BP garage and parts of Sainsbury’s car park. Tom & Dan, the two recently appointed full-time Rangers, employed by Wilmslow Town Council, came to introduce themselves. They routinely collect lots of litter around the town during their work to improve the street scene, which also involves mud & vegetation scraping/sign cleaning and removal of obsolete signage. We enjoyed a “post pick” coffee in the new coffee outlet sited near the front door of the pub, run by the landlord’s daughter Holly.

5 volunteers met at Summerfields on Saturday 04-MAR-26. We covered the surrounding area including Colshaw Drive. We collected 10 bags.

b) Continued with our solo picks. Areas covered include the leisure centre, the town centre, Dean Row Road, Moor Lane, “The Temp” (communal garden), the area around Hazelmere Care Home, Grange Park Avenue, Styal Road, Lacey Green, Morley Green Road, Altrincham Road, Adlington Road, Hough Lane and Prestbury Road. Many thanks to everyone who did a solo pick – especially Gareth, Ann, Helen, Liz, Margaret, Wil, Chris E., Alex and Andrew.  Apologies if I missed anyone !

c) Reported some fly tipping on the Lindfield Estate to Cheshire East.

d) Manned a stall at the inaugural “Wilmslow Community Fair”. This was an event organised by Wilmslow Town Council and held in The United Reformed Church on Sunday 08-MAR-26. It was a showcase for local community groups. 45 groups manned stalls and 1333 visitors attended. We welcomed quite a few visitors to our stall.  Hopefully, some of them will be tempted to become litter pickers. See the following website for more information about the event, a video and some photos (including one of the Clean Team) :
https://www.wilmslowtowncouncil.gov.uk/connectedwilmslow-fair-review/Wilmslow Cleam Team Community Fair Stall March 2026

 

 

 

 

e) Continued to support existing, and welcomed new, students doing litter picking for the voluntary section of their Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

f) Continued efforts to include Wilmslow Fire Brigade in a future litter pick.

g) Further planning for our attendance at a conference of local litter picking groups which is being held in Sandbach on 11-APR-26

h) Contacted Cheshire East to see if there is a way that they could provide us with free parking at our litter picking events. Unfortunately, this is not possible.

i) Liaised with a potential volunteer who wants to litter pick as part of the 2 days that his company allow for community activities.

News Update : 01-MAR-26

Since the last news update, we have:

a) Continued with our twice monthly litter picks :

7 volunteers met at Bank Square on Wednesday 04-FEB-26.  We collected 10 bags plus 1 bag of recyclables. We were pleased to welcome Helen who has recently started a role at Wilmslow Town Council supporting community groups.

4 volunteers met at The Honey Bee on Saturday 07-FEB-26. We covered Altrincham Road from Waters down the roundabout before the airport tunnels. We collected 8 bags plus 3 bags of recyclables.

b) Continued with our solo picks. Areas covered include Grove Avenue, Water Lane, Hawthorne Street, Albert Road, Eccups Lane and Morley Green Road. Many thanks to everyone who did a solo pick – especially Peter, Chris, Liz and Gareth.  Apologies if I missed anyone !

c)  Held our AGM. We have sufficient funds to continue operating. Some of the other topics are covered below.

d) Continued to support Gareth who is volunteering with us, for 3 months, as part of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.  He has completed 7 solo picks now and we are very grateful.

e) Started the process of welcoming another Duke of Edinburgh volunteer on board.

f)  Agreed that we will man a stall at the “Wilmslow Community Fair”. This Is a new initiative being organised by Wilmslow Town Council. It is being held in The United Reformed Church Hall from 15:00->17:00 on Sunday 08-MAR-26.  It will allow visitors to see which local groups exist in Wilmslow and what they are involved with. The groups will be able to raise awareness. Hopefully, this will lead to some new volunteers :
Wilmslow Community Fair

g) Liaised with a group called RRT who have offered to assist us at a litter pick (e.g. providing extra volunteers, coffee etc) – we are still considering their offer.

h) Started to plan the reduction of scheduled picks from 2 a month down to 1.  This is unfortunate but we really struggle to get leaders.  The committee will be holding a meeting soon to plan how we implement this and how we can continue to supply bags etc. to solo pickers. We are also considering the introduction of a get together for a coffee after every pick.

i) Started to plan attendance at a conference of local litter picking groups. This will be in Sandbach on 11-APR-26.

j) Contacted Cheshire East to discuss the support they provide for litter picking groups. We questioned whether they could any parking concessions for litter picking events but is not possible. They can potentially assist us by promoting our work on their social media channels.

k) Contacted Cheshire East to see if a visit to their recycling facility would be possible. Unfortunately, it isn’t but this web page / video might be of interest:
What Happans To Waste And Recycling In Cheshire East

l) Invited Ester McVey to a litter pick on 06-JUN-26 – another attempt to raise our profile.

News Update : 30-JAN-26

Since the last news update, we have:

a) Cancelled both of the scheduled January group litter picks (one because of poor weather and one because no leader was available).

b) Continued with our solo picks.

Areas covered include Alderley Road, Hazelwood Road, Wilmslow Park North,  Adlington Road, Dean Row, Browns Lane, Burford Crescent, Arlington Way, Moor Lane, South Oak Lane, “The Pleasure” playing field, Gravel Lane, Poplar Avenue, Albany Road, Granvile Road, Hartford Avenue, Sylvan Avenue, Sainsburys car park, Wilmslow Library, Hoopers car park and Parkway.

Many thanks to everyone who did a solo pick – especially Ian, Mike, Pat and Chris M.  Apologies if I missed anyone !

c) Continued to support a local student who is volunteering with us, for 3 months, as part of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.  He has completed 4 solo picks now and we are very grateful.DofE Litter Pick Jan26

 

 

 

 

d) Started to consider attending the “Wilmslow Community Fair”. This Is a new initiative being organised by Wilmslow Town Council. It is being held in The United Reformed Church from 15:00->17:00 on Sunday 08-MAR-26.  It will allow visitors to see which local groups exist in Wilmslow and what they are involved with. The groups will be able to raise awareness. Hopefully, this will lead to some new volunteers.

News Update : 03-JAN-26

Since the last news update, we have:

a) Continued with our twice monthly litter picks :

4 volunteers met at Bank Square on Wednesday 03-DEC-25. We covered the town centre collecting 9 bags (including some recyclables) plus some debris.

Despite the dismal weather, 2 volunteers met at Summerfields on Saturday 06-DEC-25. We covered the surrounding area collecting 5 bags.

b) Continued with our solo picks.

c) Discussed the possibility of the fire brigade joining one of our February picks

d) Been very pleased to assist Gareth who is volunteering with us, for 3 months, as part of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.  He has completed his first session and is doing a great job.

e) Liaised with Cheshire East regarding some fly tipped rubbish.

f) Continued planning our AGM.

g) Confirmed that the final bag count for 2025 was 351. More information is available on the “Statistics” page on the website

News Update : 03-AUG-25

Since the last news update, we have:

a) Continued with our twice monthly litter picks :

3 volunteers met at Lacey Green Park on Wednesday 02-JUL-25. We covered the surrounding area collecting 3 bags.

8 volunteers met at The Kings Arms on Saturday 05-JUN-25.  We covered the surrounding area and collected at least 9 bags.

b) Continued with our solo picks.

c) Seen our bag total go over the 5,000 mark. An amazing achievement by our volunteer group. We have been up and running for nearly 12 years.

d) Continued liaison with the “Duke Of Edinburgh” scheme volunteers.

e) Sent an invoice, for the promised donation, for our litter picking assistance at the recent Wilmslow Music Festival

News Update : 29-JUN-25

Since the last news update, we have:

a) Continued with our twice monthly litter picks :

6 volunteers met at Summerfields on Wednesday 04-JUN-25. We covered the surrounding area collecting 7 bags and various car parts, carpets etc.

7 volunteers met at Bank Square on Saturday 07-JUN-25.  We covered the town centre and collected 12 bags.

b) Continued with our solo picks.

c) Attended the “Eco Club” after school event at Pownall Hall School on 09-JUN-25. We enjoyed talking to the pupils about our activities and found them to be fully engaged with environmental matters.

d) Lent some equipment to 4th Wilmslow Scout Group who did an excellent job collecting 6 bags of litter from Broadway Meadow carpark and the footpath adjacent to the railway lines (from the train station to the high school).

e) Received a donation of £300 towards our funds from Morgan Lovell. Whenever Howdens Insurance expand an office, they ask the successful contractor to donate to a charity / voluntary group. They chose us this time – for which we are very grateful.

f) Some of our volunteers litter picked at the Wilmslow Live Music Festival on 21-JUN-25 – for which we will be receiving a donation towards our funds.

g) Heard from Julie Dawn Potts who is getting Chapel Lane ready for the RHS “Britain In Bloom” judging on Thursday 17-JUL-25. She is planning a ‘Tidy Up’ afternoon on Sunday 13-JUL-25 for anyone who can help litter picking or weeding.  They are meeting outside Chelsea Flowers at 14:00 – everyone is very welcome. More info on the “Love The Lane” Facebook page.

h) Liaised with another potential “Duke Of Edinburgh” scheme volunteer.

 

News Update : 29-MAR-25

Since the last news update, we have:

a) Continued with our twice monthly litter picks :

7 volunteers met at The Farmer’s Arms on Wednesday 05-MAR-25. We collected at least 10 bags in the surrounding area.

10 volunteers met at Summerfields on Saturday 08-MAR-25. We collected at least 14 bags. The relatively low bag count, compared to the number of pickers, who covered a wide area, was because the area was remarkably clean!

b) Continued with our solo picks

c) Reported some fly tipping to ANSA

d) Continued support for Ted who is litter picking as part of the Duke Of Edinburgh scheme.

News Update : 02-NOV-24

Since the last news update, we have:

a) Continued with our twice monthly litter picks :

6 volunteers met at Bank Square on Wednesday 02-OCT-24. We covered the town centre collecting at least 12 bags.

5 adults and 3 under 18s met in Lacey Green on Saturday 05-OCT-24.  We were pleased to welcome Rachel as a first timer.  Her son Ted is going to be litter picking as part of his DofE award scheme.  We covered Lacey Green and the surrounding area.

b) Continued with our solo picks.

c) Started to plan our next AGM which will probably be at the end of January or early February 2025.  More details will be provided nearer the time.

d) Started to progress an initiative to install some signage around Wilmslow discouraging litter.

e) Started to plan the renewal of our insurance.

News Update : 04-AUG-24

Since the last news update, we have:

a) Continued with our twice monthly litter picks :

6 volunteers met at Lindow Common on Wednesday 03-JUL-24.  We covered the surrounding area including Altrincham Road as far as the Jim Everson playing fields.

5 volunteers met at The King’s Arms on Saturday 06-JUL-24.  We covered the surrounding area including Alderley Road down to the bypass and parts of Knutsford Road.

b) Continued with our solo picks.

c) Continued support for a local student, Joe, who is doing his Duke of Edinburgh award. He has now completed the required number of volunteer hours but intends to continue picking. He has done amazing work over the past few months – so huge thanks.

d) Held a committee meeting where, amongst other things, we judged some posters created recently by the high school pupils and agreed to give Amazon vouchers to the best entries.

e) Responded to a contact from Praetura Asset Finance who are planning litter picks, in September, in all the towns where they have an office – which includes Wilmslow.

f) Manned a stall at The Wilmslow Show

Wilmslow Show Stall - 2024

 

News Update : 29-JUN-24

Since the last news update, we have:

a) Continued with our twice monthly litter picks :

Only 2 volunteers were able to meet at Summerfields on Wednesday 05-JUN-24.  We covered the surrounding area and collected 3 bags.

6 volunteers met at Bank Square on Saturday 08-JUL-24.  We covered the town centre and collected at least 6 bags

b) Continued with our solo picks.

c) Reported some fly tipping to ANSA

d) Continued support for a local student, Joe, who is doing a fantastic job as part of the volunteering section of his Duke of Edinburgh award. This month he has covered Sainsbury’s / Hooper’s car park and Broadway car park.

e) Scheduled a committee meeting where, amongst other things, we will be looking at the litter posters created recently by the high school pupils.

f)  Survived a migration exercise enforced up on us by our web hosting company.  The website seemed to survive OK but they broke our emailing capability. This was finally repaired a week or so later – and so hopefully everything is now up and running normally again – albeit at a much higher cost