Community spirit is alive and well and living in Spalding – as last weekend well and truly proved.
The town’s very own army of Wombles took to the streets and filled more than 300 black bin bags with rubbish.
Everyone and their dog grabbed a pick-up stick and helped make the town shine again by removing litter wherever they found it.
Membership of the Wombles of Spalding Common Facebook group boomed with 700 people joining since it was started on January 4.
The hard work of the Spalding Wombles has not gone unnoticed with many comments on social media praising the group and its members.
“Just wanted to say a huge well done to everyone who’s been out there litter picking. With everyone posting on here, I found myself looking around while driving to and from jobs today – the town looks incredible, so much better,” posted James Wand on Monday.
Everyone from toddlers to pensioners and their dog seems to be involved and the streets of Spalding are being blitzed by willing volunteers from the town and beyond.
The first group litter pick was held at the Castle Sport Complex on the first Sunday of the year – and last weekend more people than ever turned out to help at socially distanced COVID-compliant litter picks.
Among the haul was a loo seat, bikes, drug-taking paraphernalia, tyres and huge amounts of alcohol packaging – including 32 empty vodka bottles in the same spot (picture bottom right).
One of the group’s founders, Sam Roberts, said that since last Monday 104 different people had been out collecting 334 bags of rubbish.
“On behalf of Bren Bowman, Kieran Bowman, Simon Law and myself – we would like to say a massive thank-you for all your help and support,” he said.
The idea took off when Bren Bowman went for a New Year walk and was astounded at the amount of rubbish on the streets.
His brother Kieran suggested getting a few friends together for a clean-up and it snowballed from there.
Sam added that the group would like to thank Simon Law, Worldwide Fruit, Ted Howling, LSS Contractors, Spalding Cricket Club, Spalding Engineering and Wilson Builders for their help and support.
McDonald’s gave free coffee and some bin bags to Wombles in the area. Tesco Distribution has given 100 pocket-sized bottles of hand sanitiser and 200 pairs of disposable gloves.
