CALLS for more clean-ups at a brook in Penhill to tackle the endless mountain of rubbish there have been backed by community volunteer Glynis Hales.

On Monday, a team of litter pickers organised through North Swindon Time Bank gathered at the notorious dumping spot to tackle the waste.

The event was hailed a success, with one of the best turn outs the time bank has seen for such an event.

And following Monday’s event, and the dent put in the rubbish mounds in the area, more people have been called to arms by those volunteers in attendance.

Glynis, of Corsham Road, said: “If you said we have a day and it’s a challenge to see how much rubbish you can get out, with bacon sandwiches and cups of tea at Chippenham Close (Community Centre), you might get some interest.

“I have a friend called Fred the Forager, who could come along and show the kids and people what you can forage.

“He can show people what they can get out of the wildlife.

“Make a day out of it, a community event, it would be fantastic. It would be a good idea to have something like that for litter on the streets too.

“You don’t want to live on a rubbish dump, do you?”

Glynis has long been associated with volunteering across the North Swindon ward as well as litter picks at the brook, but cannot put her finger on why exactly the problem persists.

“With a lot of this stuff I wonder why on earth they throw it away,” she said.

“They could’ve put it on Freecycle. There was a brand new foot spa and two irons.

“Rag and bone men are always out looking for metal. In this day and age, I don’t understand.

“It’s Penhill, but it’s not just Penhill, it’s the whole of Swindon, Wiltshire, the whole of the world really. We need to clean up our mess.

“You have to ask the people who do it. The brook is a boundary between Penhill and Abbey Meads, I’m not sure if that’s the reason.

“There’s a lot of growth down there too. We need to cut that back so we can enjoy the brook.

“Maybe it’s because the undergrowth covers it up.

“I guess it’s the same mentality of people who take black bags for their dog’s poo, but throw it in the tree.”

If you want to be involved in the project, whether it is being involved in the set up, becoming an ambassador for the time bank project or being a time giver then, get in touch by calling Lou Hallett or Kirstie Reeve on 01793 420557.