Farnham looked suitably smart in time for last weekend’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations thanks to an army of volunteer litter pickers. Individuals and groups of friends formed teams to tidy up the town centre on Saturday morning (12 November) following a request from Farnham Town Council.

“On behalf of the town and particularly those involved in the Remembrance Sunday parade, I’d like to thank everyone who responded to our call for volunteers to tidy up the town centre. We had around 20 people of all ages armed with litter picking tools and black sacks to make sure the town looked suitable for the Armistice Day events,” says Councillor Alan Earwaker, Mayor of Farnham 

Between them the volunteers collected 25 sacks of rubbish, including food and drink packaging, waste paper, cigarette and vaping waste, plastic bags and bags of dog mess. Litter pickers also collected several unusual items such as large sofa cushions. At the end of the tidy-up, Farnham Town Council arranged for all the collected waste to be disposed of properly.

Councillor Earwaker adds: “We organise our Bloomin’ litter picks throughout the year as part of the Farnham in Bloom activities. It’s a great shame that not everyone disposes of their litter properly but for as long as that is an issue, we will ask volunteers to help us keep the town tidy from time to time. If you, your school, neighbourhood or colleagues would like to organise your own litter pick, just get in touch by emailing bloom@farnham.gov.uk and we will help you organise it.”   

Litter campaigners say that rubbish that is not disposed of correctly is not only unsightly but also hazardous to wildlife as creatures are known to get trapped in waste and even eat it.