Garforth Gazette readers… guess what coffee shop I was in when I met a representative from the litter-picking group Garforth Wombles! I’m sure you could never guess…
Quite happily, Matthew Baker, the ‘Beard’ half of ‘Beauty and the Beard’ ,with their rescue chickens, was available to answer any questions that I might have about the group, a neat nearly-fifteen minute conversation before he went back to work and I went volunteering.
“I’ve been involved in Garforth Wombles since it was set up February, five years ago. (It was) set up by our founders Alison and David Smith, who have since moved away from the area. Since then, there’s a small group of us- there’s about five or six of us that will call ourselves ‘admin’ (on Facebook)- we step up and run it. It’s not on a formal note.
It’s an informal group, very relaxed, very laid back.”
So, what is Garforth Wombles?
“In a nutshell, we are a group that are looking to make Garforth as litter-free as possible. How we go about it is encouraging members to come out in their time. It’s very much- do as much or as little as you can, when you can. There’s no set times.
We also support the youngsters doing their Duke of Edinburgh, Bronze, Silver and Gold. We do sign off the Duke of Edinburgh awards as well, we do link closely with Leeds City Council, the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team.”
Litter-Free Leeds supplies the bags, and there are other Wombles groups across the country too.
How many people are involved (in the Garforth Group)?
“The group itself… 500+ members.
Our youngest member is four years old.”
Matthew told me some of his motivations for joining.
“One of the main reasons that I got involved… one, litter frustrates the life out of me. Also, I’m a big advocate for mental health. Getting out, wellbeing, peace and physically wanting to get out.
When I first got involved, it was very much where’s the negative in this?”
He told me about enjoying socialising with his friends while picking litter and getting steps for his work challenges. For him, it was a source of community.
So, how can someone get involved?
“At the moment, the best way is through the Facebook page.”
As the group is strongly associated with Litter Free Leeds, it is suggested that those who litter pick for the Wombles can attend events of theirs too.
“There are events that Litter-Free Leeds put on, but it’s personal choice- do you attend or not?”
So, why should someone join?
“It’s great for your mental health, it’s great for your physical health, but also if you have an issue with litter, we’re the group to get involved in!”
The Facebook page for the Garforth Wombles can be found here.
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