Story: & photos: Lisa Swift
The Page Hall litter pick has been a regular activity by local volunteers supported by Pakistan Advice and Community Association for some time. In June, PACA volunteers were joined by Owler Brook students, the police, Council officers and local residents. There was a really positive atmosphere. Volunteer advice worker at PACA, Zeeshan Khan, said,
“We are working with all the community to create brotherhood. We want to keep the streets clean and we also want to create peace in the community. It's important to spread this message during Ramadan too. As one of the volunteers at PACA, I help people with letters, forms and access to the internet. We are there for the whole community.”
This special clean-up took place ahead of plans to enforce litter fines of £75 in the area (see 'Litter enforcement in Page Hall').
The new Inspector for Page Hall's own police team, Chris Lewis, told the Messenger, “The community has got involved in litterpicks many times before but, 48 hours later, it's back the way it was. We want some sustainability so we are doing this event today: leaflets have been distributed and we will be enforcing fines with immediate effect. New litterbins are also on the way.” Gulnaz Hussain from PACA said,
“The community are strongly involved and we hope the fines will stop the litter. That's what people want.”
Development worker Miroslav Sandor said,
“We have been cleaning the streets once a month – it's a good idea but we would be happy if more people from different communities would come and get involved. People should love where they live. We have been educating people about the fines. I think it is a good idea but I am concerned that it also includes cigarette ends. This will be very difficult for people.”