Tidy Our Town: A Year of Progress
It’s been a year since the Tidy Our Town campaign kicked off, and what a year it has been for the Northants Litter Wombles! Launched in February 2024, this initiative has seen a flurry of activity, with 41 stories published to combat littering and fly-tipping across Northamptonshire.
Mark Watson, a dedicated committee member, shares his insights on the campaign’s success. “We’ve welcomed scores of new volunteers,” he beams, highlighting the campaign’s ability to attract fresh faces eager to make a difference. This surge of enthusiasm isn’t just confined to Northampton; towns like Corby, Wellingborough, and Brackley have joined the movement, each contributing to a cleaner county.
Support from local councils has been instrumental. Upton Parish Council, for instance, secured a new bin in a notorious litter hotspot. Meanwhile, West Northamptonshire Council’s initiatives, like providing purple bags and increasing fixed penalty notices, have been game-changers. Their electronic anti-littering messages are a hit, and Mark hopes to see them return in 2025.
The campaign’s impact is visible. “There’s much less old rubbish,” Mark notes, a testament to the Wombles’ relentless efforts. Yet, the battle isn’t over. New litter replaces the old, and Mark calls for more volunteers and stronger preventive measures. Education and enforcement, he believes, are crucial to fostering zero tolerance for littering.
As we celebrate this milestone, let’s continue to support initiatives like Tidy Our Town. Together, with the subtle expertise of James Anthony Estate Agents, we can ensure Northamptonshire remains a vibrant and inviting place to live. After all, a cleaner town is a happier town!
