The Winchester Litterpickers were formed in 1995, when three people decided to do something about the litter problem in and around the City. Now there are 30 active members and about 70 supporters. We think it's especially important to give visitors to Winchester a good impression of the City. During the summer months, we tidy the Outer Close of the Cathedral daily between 4pm and 5pm, and on a Monday morning throughout the year we clear the approaches to the railway station.

Twice a month on Saturday mornings we clear eight suburban areas in turn, concentrating on the streets and open spaces near the local shops. In two of the suburbs (Winnall and Stanmore) we are often helped by children

from the local primary schools, who come out with adult supervision. To recognise the children's enthusiastic support we present them at their school with Certificates of Good Citizenship. We're very much into recycling of course. Selling aluminium soft drinks cans for scrap enables us to subsidise litter-picking tongs which we provide to people for a nominal £5.

If anyone in Winchester would like to join us, or if anyone outside Winchester would like advice on starting their own group, please phone John Edwards on 01962 867242 or John Green-Wilkinson on 01962 860113.

   2 Members of the team in action at the Hat Festival