Dear Editor,
Last Friday, 20th July, Heighington Village Hall Association held the first of this summer’s “Refreshment Fridays” in the village hall. Some 40 people enjoyed a lunch chosen from a wide choice of menu.
At midday, Peter Smyth, Chairman of Heighington Parish Litter Group, took the opportunity to present this year’s Environment Awards to those who had made exceptional efforts to keep our parish looking beautiful and free from litter.
These awards were initiated by the late Kit Bartram who was the first secretary of the Litter Group.
This year’s recipients of the Environment Awards were Mrs Ann Graham, Mrs. Judith King and Mrs Margot Harryman, all of Heighington.
Peter said that Ann had gone to exceptional lengths to make sure she picked every piece of litter; Judith never failed to turn up for litter picks and she waged war on the fly-tippers; Margot undertook the task of keeping the bypass free from litter. Peter pointed out that in years past it had taken four council workers to do the same task.
This year the Maclean Silver Rose Bowl, the premier award, was given jointly to Lou and Valerie Bedocs of Heighington. Peter Smyth said that “they are a busy couple who between them give a lot of time to village organisations; the Jigsaw Library; the WI; the Parish Council; Refreshment Fridays; the Village Hall Association and of course Heighington Parish Litter Group.
Peter went on to explain that the HPLG has been active for over 13 years and has collected more than 8000 sacks of rubbish from the roadsides of Heighington Parish and reported over 50 incidents of fly-tipping.
Peter said that the litter picks have made a big difference over the years and he would encourage other groups to form to reduce the litter in other areas and help keep our environment beautiful.
Anybody, wishing to join the Heighington Litter Group would be very welcome. They meet on the second Saturday of the month (except August) between 10.00am and 12noon at Heighington Village Hall or 2 Main Road Redworth. All the necessary equipment is available.
Our next litter pick will be Saturday 8th September.
Peter ended by saying there are all kinds of bugs in the world, but the litter-bug is one of the worst – together we can eliminate it!
Libby Smyth
Members of HPLG
Val and Lou Bedocs holding the McLean Silver Rose Bowl with Peter Smyth
