LOVE YOUR PLACE
Can-do spirit
Neighbours in Hanwell have
joined forces to keep their
green spaces as clean as
possible by organising regular
litter picking and clear-ups.
Dan Stephens reports.
L
itter Action Group Ealing
Residents – or LAGER CAN
for short – is a suitably-named
group, as member Keith
Freeguard explained: “Beer cans are
the most common thing we see lying
around the parks we visit so it fits well.
“For myself and many people,
experiencing our local parks should
be about enjoyment – whether you
are walking, playing sport or having a
picnic. It’s been shown that getting out
into green spaces is hugely beneficial
for health and wellbeing.
“This is why it is so disappointing
to see a minority of people
mindlessly chucking their litter
and ruining the really pleasant
experience for all of us.”
This frustration led Keith and
fellow residents to set up
LAGER CAN and the group
now has grown to 133
members. They focus
on the area of Hanwell
around Brent Lodge
Park, Manor Court
Green and the
River Brent.
‘ALREADY
SEEN A
CHANGE IN
BEHAVIOUR’
Ealing Council’s
park rangers have been
working with the group; and
the council’s Hobbayne ward forum
has also contributed more than £700
to help fund equipment and
events. Meanwhile, Brent
Lodge Park is also one of
many in the borough
now furnished with a
‘litter board’ by the
council. These come
complete with litter-
picking sticks, should
passers-by wish to
help by doing a two-
minute clear‑up.
Keith continued:
“I think we have
already seen
a change in
behaviour as
people are seeing
others taking a
stand and can see
its positive impact.
I certainly think there has been a
reduction in litter being dropped here.”
Councillor Mik Sabiers, the council’s
cabinet member for environment and
highways, said: “I’d like to thank Keith
and members of LAGER CAN for their
hard work in tackling litter. It is fantastic
to see residents taking responsibility
for their local area.”
WHY NOT DO SOMETHING
GOOD, TOO?
There is a dedicated £100,000 fund
available for community-based
projects to transform and revive
local spaces around the borough.
Visit www.dosomethinggood.org.uk
for details.
For the full story, visit
ealingnewsextra.co.uk/
features/lager-can
around ealing Summer 2019
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