The Civic Pride Rossendale annual New Year’s Day litter picking event attracted a great response this year. On a cold but sunny morning over 40 people met at 10.30 by the Post office. All were armed with high visibility jackets, litter pickers and bags. Chris Blomerley, the Civic Pride Rossendale Litter Officer, who had organised the event, directed people to where to litter pick. The aim was to cover as much of the town centre as possible for maximum impact.
It was great to see so many people, including whole families and existing volunteers and a few enthusiastic dogs. The whole morning had a real social feel to it with everyone enjoying making a real difference by clearing away litter and debris that had been left over the previous few days. A wide variety of litter was found including lots of large fireworks from the celebrations, vapes and cigarette butts, and a leaf blower.
The big hope is that by collecting litter will discourage people from throwing more down. Most of our litter pickers go out alone or in small groups so this event was a real opportunity to celebrate together the work the litter picking volunteers do around the area.
Rawtenstall is very fortunate that it has a magnificent volunteer, Keith Ormerod, who is out collecting litter most days of the year around the town. This past year he has collected over 410 bags of litter and lots of items that he recycles. Keith regularly reports bulky waste he finds left around the town and on the bypass coming into Rawtenstall. He was even out on Christmas day. Holding this annual litter picking event really helps Keith keep the town litter free.
We have many other magnificent litter pickers around Rawtenstall, Waterfoot, Cowpe and Crawshawbooth who together with our colleagues at Bacup, Stacksteads, Haslingden and Helmshore all help to keep the Valley litter free.
If you would like to become a litter picker in the area or would like to help with looking after the gardens and Civic Pride Rossendale maintains please contact us for a chat to find out more via email info@civic-pride.org.uk or see our website www.civic-pride.org.uk.
Make 2026 the year you make a difference.
