On Saturday, 16th March 2024, the WANA Wombles headed out on their first adventure together. They collected and sorted the rubbish that unthinking people carelessly toss in the village. A total of 29 residents turned up to take part in the litter pick around Witherley and Atterton. After a safety briefing, the Wombles were given protective gear, including Hi-Vis jackets, protective gloves, refuse bags, litter pickers, and bag hoops. Five routes were planned around Witherley and towards Atterton to collect litter.

 

The Wombles' efforts were not in vain. In just over one hour, they collected a staggering twenty-three bags of rubbish, a testament to the scale of the litter problem in our community. The items they found ranged from wine bottles, cans, and food packaging to more unusual items like a tin of paint, a work boot, the wing of a car, barbed wire, matting, a car wheel hub cover, and a rusty umbrella. This diverse collection highlights the need for our continued efforts to keep our community clean. After their hard work, the WANA Wombles were rewarded with a spread of delicious home-baked cakes, tea, and coffee. They expressed their interest in future Wombling, having identified particular problem areas on Mythe and Atterton Lanes.

 

The WANA womble event was also an opportunity to ask residents their views on three questions using the “post-it” methodology we used at the inaugural WANA gathering in January 2024.

 

Four comments were received for the first question, “Does WANA need to do anything differently?” Two related to the flooding of both Mythe and Atterton Lane. One related to the planned development off Kennel Lane with 50 houses and 100 cars. The last suggestion was for a storage container for sand and sandbags.

 

Two comments were received for the second question: “Is anything bothering you that WANA can help with?” One was for a bus shelter for kids who don't want to wait on the corner, and the second was for a path that extends around the village so that people don't have to walk on the road.

 

Four suggestions were received for the third question, “Any suggestions for WANA social events?” These were a barn dance, breakfast club, evening activities, and games morning in the winter.

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Thank You

 

A special thank you to Kevin and Melanie (our Mdme Cholet) and David and Pat, who worked tirelessly all morning to ensure the Wombles were happy and content. They cheerfully hosted the event and kept everyone fed and well-hydrated. WANA is grateful to all volunteers who helped set up and clear away. Thank you to our star bakers for the delicious cakes.  Not least, our thanks go to all those who gave up their time to Womble. The generosity and dedication within this community is commendable.

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HBBC supplied equipment and safety guidance, arranged for rubbish collection, and a WANA volunteer provided extra Hi-Vis jackets and safety gloves. Another volunteer offered extra litter pickers and bag hoops, and Centurion Plant Hire provided WANA with public liability insurance.

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Thank you so much!