Schools say goodbye to bad rubbish!
26th March 2007
Children from Teynham Parochial C E Primary School raised awareness of the issue of littering when they organised a school clean up earlier this month. Using equipment provided by the Clean Kent Campaign and Swale Borough Council, the pupils successfully cleared away 6 sackfuls of litter from the school grounds and surrounding areas.
In addition to the clean up, both Teynham Parochial and nearby Lynsted and Norton Primary schools are
organising a design a poster
competition based around the theme of litter. The winner from each school
will be awarded a prize kindly donated by Cllr Sylvia Butt of Teynham Parish Council.
The litter events form part of an initiative organised by the Environment Working Group; a body set up to tackle the issues raised by the Lynsted with Kingsdown Parish Plan. Bob Baxter, event co-ordinator explains:
Our residents, young and old feel strongly about improving their local environment. We're thrilled by the way the children have responded to the project and are equally delighted to have the support of the Clean Kent Campaign. It goes to prove that you can't start too young in the battle against litter!
Keith Ferrin, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, HighwaysÝ& WasteÝcomments further:
It's great to seeÝcommunities taking pride in their local environment by carrying out clean-ups in their local area.
A broader litter-pick, involving families from both parishes that comprise Greenstreet
, is planned for later
on in the year.
Tidal tidy up in Sandwich Bay
26th March 2007
Saturday 10th March saw local volunteers and the Kent Wildlife Trust come together with the Clean Kent Campaign to clean up Sandwich Bay. Dover District Council provided disposal of the magnificent rubbish haul which produced 30 sacks of waste consisting mainly of oceanic flotsam such as fishing nets and general litter; but there were some interesting aquatic finds such as cuttlefish bones and squid eggs!
Organised by Jason Mitchell of the Kent Wildlife Trust, the day was also a way to welcome new volunteers to the charity. Jason explains:
The clean-ups are an important way of preserving the wildlife and beauty of our coastline. Volunteers play a vital role in these activities and we're always keen to welcome new members and introduce them to the work we do. Volunteers can get a lot out of participating in our projects: not only do they meet the reserve wardens and learn about the different habitats and wildlife but they also benefit from helping to save this fragile environment for present and future generations.
Keith Ferrin, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, HighwaysÝ& WasteÝcomments further:
It's great to see events of this kind with volunteers coming together to clean up the local environment and help to preserve Kent's superb coastal regions.
The Kent Wildlife Trust is the leading wildlife conservation charity for Kent and Medway with over 58 managed nature reserves through the county.Ý The Trust was formed in 1958 and since that time has worked tirelessly to make Kent a better place for both wildlife and people.Ý For more information on future volunteer opportunities at the Kent Wildlife Trusts nature reserves, please visit the Kent Wildlife Trusts website or call 01622 602012.
Etchinghill residents make a clean sweep of it!
26th March 2007
12 community-minded members of the Etchinghill Residents Association joined forces with the Clean Kent Campaign in the battle against litter by organising a community clean-up last Saturday. Collecting 16 bags of rubbish, the plucky volunteers successfully cleared away debris such as food waste, hub-caps and plastic sheeting from their village; and as a final tidy flourish, they even washed the road signs! Shepway District Council was also on hand to collect the rubbish.
Organised by Rodney and Jane Watts in association with Clean Kent, events such as the clean-up are integral to the work of the Etchinghill Residents Association. Jane Wood explains:
Etchinghill is a beautiful and unique community which the Residents Association work hard to protect. The recent litter pick is a good example of how we aim to improve the village facilities, to protect the environment, and to make Etchinghill a pleasant place to live. This has been both a splendid social occasion and a good chance for everyone to come together to keep our village looking lovely.
Keith Ferrin, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, HighwaysÝ& WasteÝcomments further:
I'm always encouraged to see members of a community taking positive action against litter by carrying out clean-ups. It demonstrates a level of civic pride amongst residents which is always good to see.
As the clean-up proved a popular and surprisingly social occasion, the Residents Association is hoping to make this an annual event.
Clean Kent Campaign set to change views
22nd February 2007
The Clean Kent Campaign is set to launch its latest high profile marketing campaign, Changing Views focusing on the successes and positive impacts of the initiative. Breaking on Meridian Kent over the week commencing 19th February, a television commercial will open the campaign supported by a combination of advertising including press, radio and outdoor.
Shot in reverse, the creative concept behind the television commercial is based on the premise of turning around
accepted roles and challenging perceptions. A remake of the Oh What a Lovely War
classic, Goodbyee,
is the quirky soundtrack to both the TV and radio ads. With its repetitions of the word goodbye the music
underpins the key campaign message that Kent is saying goodbye to graffiti, flytipping and littering.
Clean Kent Co-ordinator, Melanie Price says:
The aim of this campaign is not only to deliver memorable advertising but also to show that in the broad sense, positive change is at the heart of the work behind Clean Kent. The upbeat nature of the campaign also helps to celebrate the great work that the Clean Kent Campaign has accomplished so far.
She adds:
Although we've come along way, we recognise that there is still ground to cover and hope that with continued co-operation from partner organisations and the public, we can successfully achieve our main objectives of making Kent a cleaner and safer place to live and work.
