Poster kids getting the litter message across
Youngsters from one Wishaw estate got creative in a bid to stop locals from littering.
An online competition was held by those living in Branchalwood after members of the public complained about the increase in littering during lockdown.
And this week the winners of a poster competition were announced as Matthew and Eleanor Kirkwood and Jack Weir.
Branchalwood resident Angela Kyle said: “We asked one of local residents who is an artist, Ashleigh Hamilton-Thompson, and she was delighted with the standard of entries.
“I am organising prizes for the children and we will get the posters copied, laminated and display them on our park noticeboard and in various places throughout the estate and woodland.
“Hopefully we will be able to go out with the children and let them put their posters up when the guidelines allow us.”
The woods were a popular location especially during lockdown but the level of littering was beginning to cause concern for Angela and other residents.
“We have of our own community Facebook page and one woman posted at the mess which had been left when people had clearly had a barbecue and left everything lying,” said Angela.
“Fortunately the woods down here haven’t had any large-scale fly-tipping like some other places around Wishaw so we want to stop that from happening.”
Despite these concerns Angela has been left delighted at the community response to the pandemic.
She added: “The community spirit within Branchalwood throughout this time has been fantastic.
“A few of the men have been out cutting the grass which had overgrown while another resident has helped repair a wall which had partially came down so everyone is pitching in.
“I think a lot of people are more engaged with their neighbours than they were at the start of all this and one street is even planning a party once more restrictions are lifted.”