The streets of Brunswick and Adelaide were looking spick and span this weekend after a small army of volunteers joined forces with Cityclean to give the ward an autumn clean.
Despite the high winds blowing litter along the seafront, through the squares and up and down the avenues, scores of bags of rubbish were filled, weeds dug up and pavements cleaned on Saturday morning.
Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty was also one of those taking part. He said: “Today has been very practical, picking coffee cups and bottles and stuff from the streets.
“I had the glamorous job of tidying up a twitten, which was full of dog mess, empty beer bottles, and the shop in front of it used to be a betting office, so lots of those miniature blue pens you only get in betting shops and Argos.”
Community activist Andy Ryder said: “I’ve picked up hats and shoes, but mainly Costa coffee cups – we don’t even have a Costa here, but they seem to have proliferated.”
Street and Beach cleansing operations manager Damian Marmura was coordinating the Cityclean workers. He said: “It was great to join the public and work together with the local community.
“It’s not the first time we’ve helped with a clear-up in Brunswick, so it’s good to see that people are still interested in participating.
“We’ve been washing the pavements, cleaning inside Brunswick Square where we filled 20 bags with rubbish from the shrubbery, and removing weeds from the pavements, while the volunteers have been litter picking.”
The clear-up is part of a new initiative from Cityclean to lend its support to communities wanting to spruce up their neighbourhoods, which will visit every ward in the city in a year.
Each clear-up is in addition to Cityclean’s usual day to day duties, which include refuse collection, litter picking and clearing up fly-tipping.
The next clear-up will be held in Hanover and Elm Grove in late December, and ideas are now invited as to where in the ward most needs attention.
If you would like to volunteer, or suggest a place for the team to clear up, email cityclean@brighton-hove.gov.uk, call 01273 292929 or leave a comment.
