SANDBACH Clean Team is celebrating picking up its 100th member.
The group began in March 2005 when a small number of residents decided to do something about litter in the town.
Since then it has achieved some outstanding successes.
In 2006 the team won the ScottishPower and Trinity Mirror Your Champions Team of the Year award, the Siemens Environmental Community Award in 2007 and a Highly Commended Award from the Respect Task Force for “Taking a Stand in 2007”.
The group is marking centenary member Chris Simpson’s induction with a litter-pick from 10am until noon outside the Black Bear pub on the Market Square on Saturday.
Founder Dick Macaulay said: “I think the positive attitude and response from the people of Sandbach has been absolutely amazing.
“There has been a mindset in Sandbach for ages that you can’t get people to do anything, but I think that’s rubbish. You just have to make it enjoyable and not put demands on people that they feel they can’t meet.
“The success of the Clean Team just goes to show that if you take the initiative, you can do anything.
“We have a dozen youngsters who enjoy it as much as our retired members and the team could not operate without their enthusiasm, energy and commitment.
“The quality of our streets has visibly improved. The official Congleton Borough Council surveys have shown an improvement from 28% of our streets having litter three years ago to just 6% in the latest figures.”
The group’s support for the environment goes far beyond reducing the amount of litter. It organises bulb planting in Sandbach for Make a Difference Day each year and works closely with primary schools to help them plant gardens in their grounds ahead of Cheshire’s Year of Gardens 2008.
Gareth Edwards, grounds and cleansing manager at Congleton Borough Council’s Streetscape, said: “Sandbach Clean Team members have made significant improvements to the streets in and around the town and the energy, enthusiasm and commitment they regularly demonstrate is tremendous.”
To join Sandbach Clean Team, or find our more, phone co-ordinator Dick Macaulay on 01270 765549 or e-mail d.macaulay@ talk21. com
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