Councillors stage a litter pick

TIME to tidy up" was the cry from Dunmow Town Council on Saturday morning during a mammoth litter pick.

Complaints from residents helped spark councillors into action. In one letter written to the Broadcast last week, local resident Bill Crawley described the area as a "cess pit" with rubbish visibly lying in hedges, bushes and around the base of trees.

He added: "I was trying to think who on earth would visit our town - anybody that's does will surely be disappointed."

However, a small but hardworking team determined to fight the rise in rubbish gathered outside Foakes Hall, litter pickers and bin bags in hand.

Dunmow town councillor, David Beedle, was a member of the working party and he pointed out that any resident who had a complaint could help.

He said: "It is only a couple of years ago that we won the best kept village competition so the situation cannot be that bad. But just because we have won it, it does not mean that we can relax and this is why we organise regular litter picks.

"They are advertised and residents are more than welcome to attend and help. In the past local groups, such as Dunmow Society, the cubs, youth club members, and school pupils have all joined in to achieve a cleaner, tidier Great Dunmow."

Saturday's pick unearthed a host of unwanted items discarded about town, including car parts, wire fencing, cans and bottles.

Mr Beedle added: "We tried to concentrate on three main areas; Braintree Road to Ford Farm, Chelmsford Road and Rosemary Crescent to Woodlands Park. As usual we were amazed to find some of the objects that filled our bags.

"It was a very rewarding morning and we will be advising the public as usual of the next date in the autumn."

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