downsmail.co.uk


Army of litter pickers ‘let down by council’


MOST people get annoyed when they see piles of litter on our streets, but a passionate army of volunteers are taking action. The 240-strong Kent Litter Pickers group was set up in December 2020, in response to the huge amount of rubbish plaguing the streets and roadsides.


The group feels let down by the council and spend hours every week tidying up the mess. Wendy Cramer (58), of Mill Street, Larkfield, says she is “obsessed” with spotting litter in her commu- nity and is “embarrassed” to invite her friends down from Derbyshire because of the mess. Mrs Cramer, who moved to the area last summer, added: “Fines don’t work. They’re futile, afford- able, and not a big deterrent.” Primary school teacher Joe Shim- min (40), of Partridge Avenue, re- ported a trolley, mattresses, and a bag full of asbestos dumped in woodland on February 20. The fa-


Jackie Ellis, Wendy Cramer and Joe Shimmin are taking action to clear up litter they say the council is ignoring


ther of two said: “Our relationship with the council is variable. They are happy to provide litter-picking sticks and bags, but won’t collect asbestos that was reported over a month ago.” Retired Jackie Ellis (62), of Lower Road, West Farleigh, said: “It’s so frustrating. There is no proper strat- egy in place. Lockdown has given us a chance to change and give some- thing back, and I do not see anyone doing that.”


A Tonbridge and Malling Bor-


ough Council spokesman said litter shot up during lockdown and it han- dled more than 500 flytip reports last year, fining just seven people. “Unfortunately, it is not safe to


carry out litter picks on busy roads with fast-moving traffic. We have specialist crews who are stepping up their focus on clearing rubbish thrown from vehicles.” Follow the group on Facebook at Kent Litter Pickers.


News


Cancer help A FUNDRAISING raffle has been


set up to raise £90,000 to pay for cancer treatment for little Nellie- Rose Culleton. Nellie-Rose (4), of Vinters Park, is being treated for stage four neu- roblastoma. Her family want to take her to New York for a vaccine, which they hope will prevent the cancer returning.


Tickets for the raffle cost £5 – to


buy them, message the Nellie-Rose Raffle page on Facebook. For details go to www.solv- ingkidscancer.org.uk/appeal/nel- lierose.


Street party KENT Life is marking the May


Bank Holiday with a traditional street party from May 1 to 3. Tickets cost £9 for adults and £8 for children. Under-threes go free. For details, see the events page at www.kentlife.org.uk.


Market back The market is held at The Friars


from 9.30am to 1.30pm on the third Sunday of the month.


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AYLESFORD Farmers’ Market is returning on April 18.


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