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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE
The Wonderful Wandering Wombles! S
ince writing my previous article about litter, litter picking has become a major project in our neighbourhood! In the middle of February a new group, on Facebook, has sprung up called The Wombles of Midsomer Norton and surrounding areas. We now have over three hundred members! There is a strong core of people who regularly pick several times a week. We also organise large litter picking events which of course, all are invited to join. Head Wombles promote our project and approach businesses for sponsorship. We also have a very enthusiastic member, Mike Chivers, who has been recognised for his amazing efforts in continuing to keep the batch, behind the sports centre, as clear of litter as is possible. Mike has been awarded Citizen of the year by Westfield Parish Council. Such a dedicated Womble! A number of ladies and several men also spend a great deal of their free time Wombling about the place. A huge thank you to all you dedicated Wombles! It is good to see children joining in with their parents. Educating the young is so important. To this end we have decided to approach the secondary schools in the area with a view of
presenting assemblies and encouraging a more positive attitude towards our environment and community. The group also haul out and stack fly tipping they encounter in hedges and verges. This is reported to councils via the website Fixmystreet. A team is sent to remove it so long as it is on a public area. We have been helped enormously by local businesses that have been very generous in providing us with litter picking equipment. A huge thank you to the following: Ryan Church, Sean Fletcher, Fosseway Tree Services, Ian Hobbs Technical Services, Buildbase, Integrity Printers and also to Signefex who have provided signs for us. It is very encouraging that so many are keen to help! If anyone has the energy, time and enthusiasm to join our group you would be most welcome. Equipment is provided by the group at each organised event. or should you wish to Womble on your own, please contact me, via messenger on Facebook on the Wombles page, for a picker, a hi-viz jacket and of course the gold sacks! Sandra Coles