Prospective Parish Councillors, Bawming organisers, Girl Guides, Brownies, Scouts(?), prisoners and other villagers are coming together to pick up litter around Appleton Thorn on Sunday 15th May.

Whilst Appleton Thorn is generally a neat and tidy place, the discarding of mainly fast food packaging from vehicles driving through the village means that many of the verges and hedgerows contain litter. For many years, individuals have taken it upon themselves to pick up litter, from whatever source, but this year the village is coming together to carry out a ‘sweep’ around!

Especially with the 20% cut in Warrington Borough Council’s budget – approximately £1.2M –  that has impacted front line services and staff numbers, it was felt that the village itself should do something about the situation. It should of course be recognised that the area around the Church, War Memorial and Thorn Tree has for many years been kept clean and tidy by a dedicated group of volunteers.

It is planned that, with sufficient volunteers, all areas of the village – from the (daffodil) roundabout at Black Cat Road to the old cut-through from Grappenhall Lane to Barleycastle Lane (where the butty wagon parks) and from Wrights Green across to the M56 bridge on Arley Road – will be covered. With appropriate adult supervision, children will be welcome and are encouraged to join in tidying up around our village.

Volunteers are asked to meet at the prison entrance at 10:00am on Sunday 15th May. Groups and routes will then be organised to go around different parts of the village. Please bring your own gloves, high vis jacket and litter picker (if you have one) and do dress appropriately for the forecast weather!
Bacon butties etc. and drinks will be made available at the Village Hall – at very reasonable cost – from 12:00 noon to refresh the volunteers.

Those planning to attend should say so on the Appleton Thorn Facebook event at:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1543367269301273/

where latest details may also be found.