Tidy Our Town is the Chronicle & Echo's latest campaign, launched in collaboration with the Northants Litter Wombles in February 2024. Through weekly stories, we hope to raise awareness of the littering and fly tipping issues across the town - and shine a light on the positive work of those fighting against it.

Tidy Our Town: What has our campaign with the Northants Litter Wombles achieved in 2024?

We are proud to have collaborated with the Northants Litter Wombles on our ongoing ‘Tidy Our Town’ campaign – and this is only the beginning. As 2025 is on the horizon, this is a great opportunity to see what our town has achieved in minimising the prominent issue of littering and fly tipping over the past year.
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Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Here’s how incentivising recycling for money in return could be a ‘gamechanger’ for Northampton

Here is how incentivising recycling in return for monetary gain could be a “gamechanger” for Northampton in 2025 and beyond, as the town is set to be ahead of the curve. The Northants Litter Wombles are working hard to see the installation of Northampton’s first ‘Deposit Return Scheme’ machine, in collaboration with installer Trovr.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Admirable volunteers cleared almost 150 bags of litter from ‘health hazard’ abandoned campsites

A group of admirable volunteers cleared almost 150 bags of litter from two abandoned campsites in Northampton at the end of 2024, which have been described as “health hazards”. The recent group picks were organised by Roman Turek, who has been an avid picker for more than three years after he decided to combine his passion for the environment with his love for going on walks.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Labour candidate hosts Santa litter picks to spread positive messages ahead of 2025 local elections

The Labour Party candidate, who has been selected to run for the Kingsley and Semilong ward in the 2025 local elections, hosted two Santa litter picks to spread positive messages in the run up to Christmas. Farzana Aldridge is hoping to be successful in next May’s West Northamptonshire Council local elections, and has immersed herself in the issue of littering and fly tipping among the community.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Passionate volunteer reflects on what a year it has been for the Northants Litter Wombles

A dedicated Northants Litter Womble has reflected on what a year it has been for the volunteer group, which is now approaching 110,000 purple bags filled with rubbish. Committee member Mark Watson has been a constant voice for the 4,500 members of the ‘purple army’ – and the group has collaborated with the Chronicle & Echo on the Tidy Our Town campaign since February.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: ‘Seeing a horrendous fly tip makes it feel like Northampton has taken 10 steps back’

The focus of Tidy Our Town this week is a horrendous fly tip in an area already renowned for its issue with littering – which makes it feel like Northampton takes two steps forward and 10 steps back. Concerned resident Viktorija Bahvalova reached out to this newspaper about a fly tip she noticed in Semilong, on a very visible area of the grass on the main Barrack Road.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Abandoned trolleys slammed as ‘extremely frustrating’ as Northants Litter Womble speaks out

The issue of abandoned trolleys across the county has been slammed as “extremely frustrating” by a Northants Litter Womble who has spoken out as part of the Tidy Our Town campaign. There are around 30 abandoned Tesco trolleys in the Lumbertubs area at the moment and dedicated volunteer Clive Bacchus has even rescued some out of nearby waterways.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Two groups join forces for second litter pick to make positive difference to grotspot

Two groups have joined forces for a second litter pick to make a positive difference to an area of Northampton, previously described as in “desperate need”. Northants Litter Wombles partnered up with The University of the Third Age, better known as the u3a – which offers more than 100 groups across the town to give older individuals new experiences.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: ‘Are you an idiot?’ asks West Northamptonshire Council as they launch anti-littering campaign

West Northamptonshire Council has launched an anti-littering campaign, with a focus on asking the community why they drop rubbish. It aims to educate road users on how they can report litter dropped from a vehicle when they witness an offence, and make those who consider littering aware that they could be liable for a fine of up to £500 if they do.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Week of action carried out after council approved clamp down on ‘unsightly bin storage’

A week of action was recently carried out, with the aim of creating a cleaner Northampton town centre, after the council approved a clamp down on “unsightly bin storage” back in May. Neighbourhood wardens from West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) visited town centre businesses, in support of the new policy to keep the area clean and tidy.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: ‘We need to keep the pressure up and adopt a zero tolerance approach to littering’

A Northants Litter Wombles committee member says the key to making a continued positive difference is to keep applying pressure and adopting a zero tolerance approach to the issue. Mark Watson, who first moved to the town in October 2022 and joined the volunteer group shortly after, was the first to speak to the Chronicle & Echo for the launch of the Tidy Our Town campaign.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Womble shares interesting observations since returning to Northampton after months in Australia

A Northants Litter Womble, who recently returned to the town after spending eight months in Australia, has shared her interesting observations about the difference in litter on opposite ends of the planet. Sally Romain first started litter picking during the pandemic, and spent her allocated hour of daily exercise making a positive difference to the community.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Join our litter pick in collaboration with the Northants Litter Wombles this weekend

As part of the ongoing Tidy Our Town campaign, the Chronicle & Echo is hosting a litter pick in collaboration with the admirable Northants Litter Wombles this weekend. Back in February, we launched this campaign to shine a light on the incredible work being carried out by volunteers – as well as the hotspots and issues that need tackling desperately.
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