2017 Newsletter
OFS MEMBERS TAKE PART IN OXCLEAN 2017
Many of us will have come across litter on our walks, particularly in Oxford city but elsewhere too. This inspired some of us to take part in Oxclean this year. Oxclean is an annual event taking place in early March, in which several hundred people across Oxford city volunteer to collect litter in groups, from places where this is much needed. We formed a mixed group of walkers from Oxford Ramblers and Oxford Path Wardens, some of whom also belong to Oxford Fieldpaths Society.
There was no shortage of areas in need of a clean-up, but we decided to tackle a litter strewn verge on one side of the Eastern Bypass, south of Headington Quarry, on the afternoon of Friday 3rd March. The whole stretch is over a mile long and was bound to be a challenge - much litter seems to be thrown out from passing traffic. A footpath and cycle lane run along it, and there is a layby for parking. We hoped we could make the verge much cleaner and more pleasant for everyone who uses it.
After a short briefing in Homebase car park, ten of us armed ourselves with litterpickers, hi-viz vests and sacks and spread ourselves out along the bypass. Most of us worked in pairs, one collecting litter for recycling, and another collecting materials which could not be recycled. Some intriguing things turned up – a lantern and various other pieces of electrical equipment, as well as a large tyre. We worked hard for nearly two hours, filling 20 sacks in all, 11 of recyclable and 9 of non-recyclable litter. At the end, some of us had to be persuaded to stop, but eventually everyone was rounded up! We all dragged our sacks to a collection point near the layby, for the City Council to collect later as arranged.
Back in the car park, we gathered for well-earned cups of tea, cake and flapjacks, provided by Elaine Steane and Siobhan. Everyone seemed to find the afternoon rewarding, and the effects were clear to see. Congratulations to Elaine Steane, Liz Adams, David Godfrey, Keith Frayn, David Adams, Catherine Eddy, Wendy Thomas, Penny Ward, and Geoffrey Woodley on all their hard work. Also thanks to Peter Ewart and Robin Harrison who made surprise appearances (Peter on his bike) to encourage us while we were working, in spite of other commitments.
Oxclean is organised by Oxford Civic Society, in partnership with Oxford City Council, The Oxford Times and many local community groups and schools. See www.oxclean.org.uk If anyone would like to join our group of walkers another time, or knows of a grot-spot in need of attention, please get in touch with Siobhan. More litter pickings may be arranged later in the year.