Plogging — on the run to a cleaner district

Athletes are using novel methods to support a mission to make Newark and Sherwood even cleaner, safer and greener.

Newark Striders, nicknamed the Orange Wombles, have organised plogging sessions in the fight against litter as part of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s campaign.

Plogging, which started in Scandinavia, sees people going out for a run and picking up litter — wearing protective gloves — at the same time.

Becky Clift, of Newark Striders, said: "I approached our chairperson, Jacqui Jack-son, with the idea of plogging after seeing it on Instagram.

"Jacqui and the club’s members supported the idea from the offset.

"We began talks with the council, which was keen to work with us and has been fantastic at providing bin bags, routes, motivation and arranging the collection of any litter picked.

"We have completed two plogs now. Litter collected has been weird and wonderful, including a broken toilet, part of a car, and used nappies among hundreds of other items.

"We are looking forward to continuing to work with the council as we get fit, have fun and forge friendships, while helping to clean up Newark and protect the local environment.

"We have called our plogging division the Orange Wombles — so give us a wave if you spot us out with our hi-vis vests and bin bags."

Council leader Mr David Lloyd said: "Our hit squads work extremely hard to maintain high standards of street cleaning across the district, but it is an endless task.

"We are grateful to the wider public for their support in keeping the district clean and tidy and the Cleaner, Safer, Greener initiative has certainly captured the public’s imagination.

"Our thanks to the Newark Striders for this public-spirited initiative. It is a great idea and who said that cleaning is never fun?"

Voluntary groups throughout Newark and Sherwood can borrow clean-up kits to help clear-up their neighbourhoods.

The council kits include hand-held litter-pickers, hoops for holding bags open, and gloves. Bin bags and hi-vis vests can be supplied.

For more information email pr@nsdc.info or call 01636 650000.

The council will arrange free collection of litter if it has been told in advance.

People leaving litter face fines of up to £2,500 at magistrates’ courts.

An authorised council officer can demand the name and address of any person suspected of dropping litter on the street. It is an offence to fail to give that information, or to give a false name and address.

The authorised officer can issue a fixed penalty ticket of £75 to £150 to anyone suspected of committing a littering offence.

Litter includes cigarette ends and chewing gum.

Litter can be reported at www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/transactions/report