Tidy Earlswood

Tidy Earlswood Fortnight: June 2022

One of Earlswood 2nd Reigate Scout Group’s aims is to make a positive impact on our community. One of the ways we achieve this is through our annual “Tidy Earlswood” fortnight. We discuss with the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts & Explorers about the importance of looking after where we live, and being proud of a tidy community. Aside from looking awful and spoiling our streets and countryside, we help them to understand the damage litter can do to wildlife and the environment. For instance, rubbish thrown into Earlswood Brook can kill ducks and other birds, as well as polluting the water for fish. Food waste can have an impact too as the populations of pests such as rats and pigeons are getting bigger.

Over a fortnight in June, each section took it in turns to litter pick or weed a different zone within Earlswood. As the first section to go out litter picking, the Scouts quickly discovered that the most successful way to litter pick was to work in pairs – with one holding the bin bag and the other using the litter picker. This awesome display of teamwork meant they collected at least 10 bags of rubbish in one session. The Cubs on the other hand, had time to play a wide game on Earlswood Common because they didn’t find much rubbish until they reached Earlswood Lakes.

The positive comments made by passers-by really spurred our young people on to collect even more rubbish than last year. They collected a large amount of litter including batteries, plastic food packaging and paper waste. One of our Beavers, Evie, commented that the most common type of litter the Beavers had found was cigarette butts. It’s also one of the hardest to pick up with a litter picker.

Thanks to the local council who kindly let us borrow enough litter pickers, gloves, refuse sacks and hi-vis jackets so that every member of our Scout Group could litter pick or weed areas that needed some attention, helping to make a positive impact on Earlswood. At the end of the fortnight, the council picked up over 25 bags of rubbish we had collected. The Leaders are hoping the high levels of enthusiasm are seen at home when tidying bedrooms!