George helps Keep Cherwell Tidy
George Gilkes will visit dozens of community groups in north Oxfordshire this spring to deliver litter-picking equipment for the Great British Spring Clean.
Any parish council or local group wanting to tidy up their public spaces as part of the Keep Britain Tidy campaign is invited get in touch with Cherwell District Council to register their interest. George, who covers the Banbury area, and a colleague who covers the Bicester area, will then deliver litter pickers, rubbish and recycling sacks, gloves and hi-vis vests to them.
Last year, Cherwell supplied equipment for 58 Great British Spring Clean litter picks. George has worked in the street cleansing team since 1994. He started off on the litter picking handcarts, and over the years his duties have grown to also cover driving mechanical street sweepers, bulky waste collections, and gathering evidence against fly-tippers.
George said: “I enjoy working outdoors, although I prefer the winter months before it gets too hot. I work as both a driver and picking litter by hand.
“On our rounds we usually stick to highways, road verges and parks. But one of the great things about community litter picks is that they can reach areas like bridalways that are a bit off the beaten track.
“I am proud to be helping support the Great British Spring Clean and I can say from experience, the effort of all the volunteers makes a real difference.”
Cherwell has written to dozens of parish councils and community groups to invite their participation. Any group wishing to take part will need to return a form to the council by 9 March.
The Great British Spring Clean will start on 20 March and run until 14 April.
For more information and to register to run a spring clean litter pick, email E&C.adminsupportthorpelane@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or call 01295 221916.
Last Updated 23 July 2020
