The Handforth Clean-up » Housing » 24dash.com

RESPECT Handforth is a new agency group established to tackle some of the issues that are identified at the Handforth CAM meetings by residents. They were out in force this weekend as they embarked on a massive clean up campaign.

Rachel Gee, Area Manager for Contour Homes one of the organisers of the Group said: We couldnt believe the numbers of people who turned out on Sunday to take part in the clean up. We had 73 people young and old who rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in to tackle the litter spots in the area and we picked up 93 bags of rubbish!

At the last Handforth CAM meeting, residents of Handforth identified litter as a key priority for those people living and working in the area. The RESPECT Handforth group decided to tackle the problem at once and organised this huge operation.

The volunteers met at 1.00 pm and were given a health and safety talk by Matt Clayton from Macclesfield Borough Council who also provided high visibility vests and litter pickers to the volunteers. The group were then given their priority areas which included Marthall Way, Church Terrace, School Road, Plumley Road, Meriton Park, Heatley Way, Eastham Way and Handforth Station. All of these areas identified were those given to the group at the CAM meetings.

Our volunteers worked for hours to make their areas look spic and span, said PCSO Jim Newns. They have made a huge difference and this initiative aims to continue to keep them looking that way.

Carl Nevitt, Blue Watch Manager said: By removing all the rubbish on the streets, it will reduce arson and anti social behaviour, this is a prime example of what RESPECT Handforth is all about creating a safer community to live.

Groups involved in the clean up operation included Contour Homes, the police, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, the youth service, Spath Lane and Knowle Park Residents Associations, Handforth in Bloom, Friends of Meriton Park, Friends of Handforth station, and local churches. Oasis café provided free refreshments on the day to the troops.

Local children aged 5 12 from a Handforth Youth Centre also donated some of their hard earned funds to purchase no littering signs which will go up around Handforth.

The Clean up Handforth day is the first of what we hope will be many community events that RESPECT Handforth will organise, adds Rachel. Our thanks go to everyone who took part in this first, highly successful operation.

For further information about RESPECT Handforth contact rachel.gee@contourhousing.co.uk.