St John’s Primary School picks up for the Big Clean

Head teacher Jed Morgan and two pupils get rid of a cable dumped carelessly outside school.

Pupils from St John’s RC Primary School in Rochdale are the latest in a string of young people that have done their area proud and completed a litter pick as part of Rochdale Council’s Big Clean campaign.

Jed Morgan, head of St John’s School, was delighted by the amount of rubbish that the young people managed to collect.

He said: “The children who took part should be very proud of what they’ve achieved. What they did has really made a huge difference and the area around school looks much more welcoming.

“What we all hope now is that what’s been achieved will have a lasting effect.”

After their litter pick, the youngsters received a Big Clean litter pick certificate from the council in appreciation of their hard work.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for environment and sustainability at the council, added: “I am personally committed to ensure that the area around the school is kept clean, tidy and safe for its young people. The pupils and their teachers should be ever so pleased, and I thank them for their enthusiasm for wanting to take part in the Big Clean.”

Following the litter pick undertaken by St John’s School, the council has confirmed that it will be working with landowners and other stakeholders to secure a long term solution to littering and fly tipping problems around the school.

Whether you’re at school, a member of a community or voluntary group, or you simply fancy getting your neighbours together to have a blitz on litter in your street - the council can help you organise and promote your own Big Clean litter pick. It will also provide you with Big Clean litter pick posters so you can put them up in public places and tell people about it.

On the day of your litter pick the council will send officers to help out, plus it will arrange to deliver and pick up all the equipment you need - including litter pickers, gloves, rubbish bags, high visibility vests and health and safety guidance. The council will also collect the bags of rubbish you gather.

If you want to organise a Big Clean litter pick in your area or you want to report a grot spot, call the Big Clean hotline on 0845 226 1800 or email environmental.management@rochdale.gov.uk