Huge thanks to all who took part in the Great British Spring Clean (13th – 29th March). Across High Wycombe, people came together in fantastic numbers - making a visible difference and showing real pride in our local environment.
This year’s campaign featured a range of events, from litter picks at The Vibe Church with Cllr Maz Hussain, Red Kite Community Housing and Disraeli School, to the ‘Make Bowerdean Beautiful’ day led by Cllr Julia Wassell and Cllr Imran Hussain, where volunteers collected an impressive 40 bags of litter. Weekly sessions from the Step In Wombats and Chiltern Rangers river cleans at Kingsmead also played a key role. Thank you to all volunteers and partners, including local schools, Veolia, Red Kite and the Council’s Waste Team.
A special mention goes to the Sands Litter Wombles, whose energy continues to inspire us. After their January litter pick, supported by Wycombe Wanderers, they partnered with Millbrook School to engage younger residents, build pride in their area and host a GBSC pick in March. Join their upcoming litter picks on 18th July and 22nd August, meeting outside the school at 10am and follow them on Facebook for future dates; all are welcome.
The High Wycombe Litter Picking Network has grown from the Pride of Place programme, bringing together residents and groups who want to live sustainably, improve their neighbourhoods and take pride in where they live. The network helps share ideas, promote events and encourage more people to get involved.
There are many ways to participate year-round:
• Step In Wombats – Wednesdays, 10:30am, Step In, Wycombe Industrial Mall.
• Women’s Cultural Arena – 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 8am litter pick plus breakfast, Oakridge Baptist Church.
• Castlefield Rangers – regular sessions (contact via Facebook/WhatsApp 07900 601894).
• Chiltern Rangers – regular litter picks and river cleans (call 01494 474486).
• Booker Common & Woods Preservation Society – spring and autumn picks (bookercommon.org.uk).
• Patch – 2nd Wednesday monthly, 12–1pm, The Old Library.
• High Wycombe Clean Up – a Facebook community set up six years ago by local resident Louise Fairless to tackle litter and inspire others. The group shares organised picks and encourages residents to post their own efforts.
• Wycombe Marsh Community Environment Group – regular picks and local improvements; contact Jean (07951 415171 / wymceg@gmail.com) or follow on Facebook.
To join the network or start your own litter pick, contact Fay at the High Wycombe Community Board: hwcb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. The council can provide equipment and arrange rubbish collection.
Together, we are building a cleaner, greener High Wycombe.
