WILLING hands are needed to help make Wokingham a cleaner place.
A community litter pick has been organised for this weekend – and you won’t have to go far to make a difference.
Volunteers can chose from a list of 18 areas across the borough to target their clean-up effort. And as one will be on your doorstep, and the times of the litter picks vary, there are few excuses for not doing your bit.
The event – organised by Wokingham Borough Council alongside neighbourhood action groups, town and parish councils, resident and environmental groups – aims to make the borough a cleaner and brighter place to live and create a sense of community civic pride as well as raise awareness that litter is unacceptable.
Last year, more than 800 bags of rubbish from parks, beauty spots, community areas and village centres were collected. The rubbish varied from the usual drink cans, crisp packets and car tyres to the more unusual including a rocking horse, a signed football, full wine bottles, a rubber dinghy, tractor seat, electric piano and a deep fat fryer.
Cllr Mark Ashwell, chairman of amenities for Wokingham Town Council, is supporting the initiative.
He said: “This has always been a success in the past. It is happening over the whole of the Wokingham borough, so just make sure you contribute somewhere. You could do Saturday and Sunday.”
Everyone who wants to smarten up the town centre should be outside the town hall information centre at 10am on Saturday. The litter pick will run until noon and the town council will be providing refreshments to fuel the workers.
Anti-rubbish group the Litter Heroes will be putting its strength behind the town centre effort.
The full list of Wokingham litter picks and times follows – litter pickers and safety vests will be provided, but make sure you are dressed for the day’s weather and have sturdy shoes and gloves.
Facebook.com/WokinghamLitterHeroes
Where the litter picks are taking part
Swallowfield
Saturday 19 March – 10am to 4pm
Meet in Davis Room, Swallowfield Parish Hall – at the rear of the building. Refreshments provided
If you want to join in contact Nigel Adams on 0118 988 4661 or email nigelcadams@gmail.com
Crazies Hill
Saturday 19 March – 10.30am
Meet at The Horns Inn, Crazies Hill
If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact Rita McLaughlin Pugh on 0118 940 1099 or email rita.clive@btinternet.com
Winnersh
Sunday 20 March 2016 – 11am to approximately 12.30pm
Meet at St Mary’s Church, Church Close, Winnersh
Refreshments (tea and biscuits) will be provided after the litter pick. If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact Clive Hudson on 0118 978 0244 or email clerk@winnersh.gov.uk
Norreys and Wescott
Saturday 19 March 2016 – 10am to noon
Meeting at Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue
Refreshments provided. If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact Marian Robertson on Robertson_Marian@btopenworld.com
Barkham
Sunday 20 March – 9.30am to 12.30pm
Meet at Barkham Village Hall car park. Refreshments provided If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact Judith Neuhofer on 0118 977 2857
Charvil
Sunday 20 March – 2pm
Meet at Charvil Village Hall
Refreshments provided
If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact Miranda Parker at clerk@charvil.com
Earley
Sunday 20 March – 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm
Meet at Interpretation Centre, Instow Road
Refreshments provided
If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact grahamehawker@hotmail.com
Twyford and Ruscombe
Saturday 19 March 2016 – 10am
Meet at Loddon Hall car park, Loddon Hall Road
If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact Bridget Ditcham at b.ditcham@ntlworld.com
Woodley
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 March – 10am to noon
Meet at Woodford Park Leisure Centre, Haddon Drive
If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact Shelagh Flower on 07879 330 403 or Woodley Town Council 0118 969 0356
Wokingham Town Centre
Saturday 19 March 10am to noon
Meeting at Wokingham Town Hall
Refreshments provided If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact Mark Ashwell on 07976 641 687
Wokingham Without
Saturday 19 March 10am
Meet at Wokingham Without Parish Council office, Old Wokingham Road, Wokingham Without
If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact admin@wokinghamwithoutparishcouncil.gov.uk
Evendons
Saturday 19 March 10am to 12 noon
Meet at Evendons School, Evendons Lane, Wokingham. If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact ken_rowlands1946@hotmail.co.uk or 07795 082 919
Woosehill
Saturday 19 March – 10am
Meeting at Morrisons bottle bank. If you want to join in, turn up or call Bren Stacey on 0118 978 7897
Shinfield Parish
Sunday 20 March 11.15am onwards
Meeting at Shinfield Parish Hall
Refreshments provided. If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact Katy on 0118 988 8220
Finchampstead
Saturday 19 March and Sunday 20 March from 9.30am
Meeting at various locations
Refreshments provided at some locations
If you want to join in, just turn up on the day or contact Richard on 0118 973 2364
Hurst
Saturday 19 March – 9am
Meet at Hurst Village Hall
If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact clerk@hurstpc.org.uk
Wargrave
Saturday 19 March – 9am to noon
Meeting at War memorial, Mill Green
Apples for the children. If you want to join in, turn up on the day or contact Marion Pope at Wargrave Parish Council on 0118 940 3533
Shinfield Rise
Saturday 19 March 10.30am to 1.30pm
Meeting at The Community Flat, 36 Frensham Green. Refreshments provided
If you want to join in, turn up on the day or call Cherish Risi-Elford on 07885 983 396
