Chesney’s Field community pride project is bags of fun

Primary school pupils in York have been working with the police to spruce up their surroundings, as part of a project to encourage good citizenship and pride in their community.

Youngsters from Hob Moor Primary have joined local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to do weekly litter picks around Hob Moor nature reserve.

They have also considered ways to improve vandalised play equipment and reduce anti-social behaviour at Chesney Park in nearby Foxwood.

PCSO Laura Harper, school liaison officer in York, has been working with the children and said they have helped make the area more attractive for residents, young and old.

“The enthusiasm and pride in their community they’ve shown has been absolutely incredible,” said PCSO Harper.

“A number of residents have stopped myself and some of the students over the last few weeks, saying how nice it was to see us working together to make it a nicer area.

“While these improvements to the community are clear to see, projects like this also encourage children to develop a strong pride in their community that can last a lifetime.

“This, in turn, can lead to less antisocial behaviour and criminal damage in communities, which is a win-win for everyone who lives and works there.”

Fly tipping

York Council “doesn’t know” clean up costs

A York Councillor has been told, in a response to a Freedom of Information request, that it doesn’t know what the cost of clearing fly tipping in the City is.

284 cases of fly tipping have been reported in the last month. Guildhall, Micklegate, Westfield and Holgate wards worst affected.

The Councillor claims that new charges and access restrictions to the City’s recycling centres are resulting in more fly tipping.

There are certainly issues to be addressed in both east and west York.

Time for a post festive clean up in Westfield

We’ve been out and about checking and reporting on public service standards in the Westfield area over the last few days. Perhaps not surprisingly litter and dumping are the major issues.

Dumped artificial Christmas trees in Thoresby Road garage area

Full litter bin Dickson Park

Full litter bin Cornlands Road

Tithe Close snicket badly littered

Dumping next to Foxwood Lane bus stop reported by Andrew Waller

Graffiti at Ridgeway bus stop reported by Andrew Waller

Litter at Foxwood Lane bus stop (shops) later cleared up by local residents

Positive action by York Council to improve local environment

More urged to join Great British Spring Clean

Calling all York “litter heroes”

The Council is asking local residents, businesses and community groups to become ‘litter heroes’ by getting behind York’s annual spring clean event next month, on or around the weekend of 2-4 March.

Part of the Keep Britain Tidy’s ‘Great British Spring Clean’, the event seeks to inspire people to roll up their sleeves and get involved in community litter picks and ‘tidy-ups’ in wards across the city.

Over the course of the weekend, the council will be on hand to lend support to residents in several ways, including collecting extra waste that is in bags printed with a large ‘V’ for volunteer from pre-planned spring clean events and providing equipment to help make jobs quicker and easier.

Cllr Andrew Waller, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for the Environment, said: “The annual spring clean provides a great opportunity for residents, voluntary groups and businesses across York to come together and make a real difference to how our city looks.

“We know that the vast majority of York residents take a real pride in their local area and want to support the work of the council to keep it litter free. If people work together as ‘litter heroes’ we can achieve a huge amount over the weekend and support the work by the council and the Business Improvement District.”

Andrew Lowson, Executive Director of the York BID, said: “The York BID has a remit to work with stakeholders and improve the appearance and environment of York city centre. We all know how important it is to keep the city clean for the businesses who operate here, the residents who call it home, and the millions of visitors we host every year.

“The York BID are happy to support and endorse the Great British Spring Clean on behalf of the businesses we represent. By providing two operatives every day of the week to enhance the work of the council, we are proud to be part of a wider team that aims to keep York as clean and attractive as possible.”

To get involved, to request help, or to register your event with the council email environmentandcommunity@york.gov.uk. For more information visit www.york.gov.uk/environmentandcommunity call 01904 551551 or follow @cityofyork on Twitter.

Big clean up in Chapelfields over weekend – pictures

Andrew Waller and Sheena Jackson joined residents in a clean up of part of the Chapelfields estate on Saturday

Volunteers start to clean up Foxwood park

Foxwood Residents Association Volunteers made a start on clearing dead vegetation from the Foxwood Park this morning.

It is hoped that a bulb planting day will be organised next week

The cycle path markings on Bellhouse Way have been repainted. Much improved for both cyclists and pedestrians

Great turnout for Foxwood Lane clean up day – skip now full

“Good gym” makes difference in Foxwood Park

Volunteers from “Good Gym” joined local residents yesterday evening in a crash clean up of the perimeter of part of the Foxwood Park.

Good gym is an excellent idea. Rather than pay to use equipment and lift weights in an indoor gym, volunteers use the energy to help the local community.