CPRE Hampshire joins forces with the Army Training Regiment in Winchester to litter-pick local roadsides

Volunteer litter-pickers from CPRE Hampshire continue to be an inspiration to us all.

In Winchester, Alison Kukla is leading the way, working tirelessly with fellow CPRE volunteers and other groups to tidy the district one piece of litter at a time. In a wonderful example of local people coming together to keep Winchester tidy, Alison recently joined forces with the Army Training Regiment (ATR) in Winchester and idverde, Winchester City Council’s street scene contractor, to clear several miles of roadside around the ATR of litter.

This marvellous collaboration was the brainchild of Tom Bristowe, founder of the Litter Partnership, a Winchester-based group supported by CPRE Hampshire. Tom initially contacted the ATR to gauge their interest and to investigate how they may be able to assist in tackling the scourge of litter. After several lockdown-induced delays, six ATR staff, led by Lieutenant Madeleine Brownlow, split into three groups, each joined by a CPRE Hampshire member to clear an assigned stretch of road. To ensure everything was done safely, each group also had a member of idverde’s staff on hand to provide appropriate equipment and, where necessary, a van to protect them from traffic.

For 90 minutes, the three groups collected over 15 bags of rubbish, as well as numerous wheel hubs, wing mirrors and other bits of plastic debris that had accumulated on the roadside over many years. A large sofa was also retrieved from the bushes.

Afterwards, Lieutenant Brownlow said: “My ATR colleagues and I really enjoyed going out with CPRE Hampshire and idverde to keep Winchester tidy and are grateful to the Litter Partnership for bringing us together. We had a great time and, while disgusted by the amount of rubbish on our doorstep, were pleased to do our bit for our environment and community. We will certainly look to repeat the exercise next year.”

Darren Davison, operations manager at idverde, said: “We love supporting local community groups who want to keep their neighbourhoods clean, so we were delighted to support CPRE Hampshire and the ATR on this occasion. If we can help local people keep their own neighbourhoods tidy, we know we will deliver not only significant environmental, health and well-being benefits but also important savings to the public purse. I encourage everyone to identify a road or public space that they would like to keep clean and get in touch with us. We’re here to help!”

Alison Kukla of CPRE Hampshire said: “I am very grateful to Lieutenant Brownlow and her colleagues for supporting our efforts to keep Winchester beautiful and am delighted the ATR would like to join us again next year. I would urge all local organisations, businesses or other groups, to follow the ATR’s lead and devote a small amount of time to ridding Winchester of litter. We are so lucky to have the professional support of Darren Davison and his team at idverde, and if we all pull together, I know we can make a massive difference.”

If you or your organisation would like to volunteer to help keep Winchester tidy, please contact enquiries@cprehampshire.org.uk.