Hardy litter pickers brave rain

The weather may have been poor but 22 hardy residents of Carhampton and Blue Anchor turned out to help with the community’s first litter pick.

Small groups and families met in the centre of Carhampton and set off to different parts of the parish, brandishing collecting bags and litter grabbers.

They returned after an hour or more having collected a surprising amount of litter – much of it having blown into hedges and gutters. By then the rain had become heavy and persistent but sheltering under the orchard gazebo for refreshments made it into a sociable occasion.

The event’s chief organiser, Dorothy Lloyd, said: “We are all aware from David Attenborough’s television programmes that plastics are damaging birds and animals on land and in the sea, and they are also damaging us. Litter makes our community untidy, unhealthy and unpleasant.

“It was lovely to see so many people come to help with the litter pick, including visitors and some who have only recently moved into the village. I am also very grateful to Mark Ward, of Forum 21 and the Somerset Wildlife Trust, for his helpful advice and the loan of collecting bags and litter grabbers.”

The event was initiated by the Carhampton Climate Group which can be contacted via the Carhampton Parish Council website or by phoning Susan Mew on 01643 821209.