There are many groups in Tandridge District that go above and beyond to help their communities, and this month we’re shining the spotlight on the Godstone Litter Angels. Set up just over a year ago by Jo Yardley, the group goes out monthly to clear rubbish from the village.
Jo, who is a member of Godstone Baptist Church, has been litter picking in her local area for a long time:
“The litter drives me nuts. Our village is particularly vulnerable because of the through traffic, we’ve picked up hundreds of bagfuls since we started. I set up the group through the church as I believe churches should be community orientated.”
Jo’s group completes an hour of clearing together before heading back to the church for coffee and cake. Tandridge District Council provides them with high-vis vests, pickers and bags, and collects the sacks afterwards.
They’ve found all kinds of rubbish, but Jo says the worst offenders are large canisters of nitrous oxide, which seem to be more prevalent now despite the recent ban, and disposable vapes:
“The most canisters we’ve found in one go is 12, and they’re really heavy. Vapes are a nightmare as they’re not recyclable.”
She would like to see more done to prevent littering, which is also a great danger to wildlife.
“More ‘take your litter home’ signs, more cameras catching offenders and more co-ordination between council services, such as clearing litter from the verges before they are mowed, because often the litter gets mowed too, which makes it almost impossible to pick up.”
Jo, who is also a member of The Woodhouse Centre and part of its Men in Sheds initiative, advertises her litter sessions on Godstone’s Facebook group, and she always welcomes more volunteers. If you would be interested in setting up your own litter picking group in Tandridge, visit TDC’s dedicated page.
If you know of a Tandridge group that deserves some recognition, nominate them for our Spotlight On feature. Email newsdesk@tandridgeindependent.com.
