Dear Sir,
Great Aycliffe Tidy Team has been operating around Newton Aycliffe since Wednesday 10th March 2021, working initially from the Horndale play area.
The Tidy Team works closely with Great Aycliffe Town Council, who provide the equipment and remove the rubbish we collect. We have also received support and equipment from Durham County Council, Livin and Groundwork Trust. Seven members of the team have been regular volunteers from the beginning, and we continue to welcome new people joining the group.
Over the past five years we have carried out more than 200 duties. Although we have occasionally missed planned working days due to heavy rain or snow, our main activities include litter picking and removing fly-tipped waste.
We would like to thank the Town Council staff for their continued support in removing the rubbish we collect. In the early days we often found large amounts of waste dumped in the woodland, but thankfully the situation has improved.
The team also enjoys planting trees and cutting back overhanging branches and shrubs along the Great Aycliffe Way and other walkways. We have also worked alongside several other local community groups.
Ian Gray.
