Staindrop Stop the Drop, Teesdale Mercury

Staindrop Stop the Drop

May 30, 2008

WANNABE Wombles of Wimbledon are being sought for litter picking duty on Saturday, June 7, when Staindrop cleans up its act in a bid to rid the village of rubbish.

As part of the national Stop the Drop litter and fly tipping campaign, run by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Staindrop Parish Council is urging people from the village to go along and help keep their small part of Britain tidy.

Virginia Trotter, chair of the parish council and a member of the Durham branch of the CPRE, said: “This is part of a huge Durham-wide litter pick and we need all the help we can get so I hope plenty of people come along.”

All equipment needed for the pick, including tools and protective clothing, is provided and the parish council have said that even 10 minutes of someone’s time would be greatly appreciated.

Author Bill Bryson is president of the CPRE, has backed the Stop the Drop event and has voiced his concerns about widespread litter problems ruining the countryside.

He said: “It is time that we – all of us – did something about this. The landscape of Britain is too lovely to trash. A tidy countryside should be a right, not a surprise. It’s possible. It’s worth it. Please help us if you can.”

Members of the community who want to help make their village picture perfect are asked to meet at the Scarth Hall at 10am.