South Gloucestershire Council is once again calling on volunteers to help clean up their neighbourhoods by joining its annual Spring Clean initiative.

This year’s campaign will run from Monday 11th February to Friday 10th May, when local groups, individuals, schools or town councils are invited to hold a litter pick of a targeted area in their community.

A litter pick does not have to be a big organised event – you and your friends, neighbours or family may just decide to have a clean up of your local park, street or pathway. However big or small, the council can lend out equipment to help you run your litter pick successfully.

The South Gloucestershire Spring Clean is the perfect opportunity for everyone to help keep their town, village, high street, woodland or park free from litter and clean for all to enjoy. Friends, families, neighbours, parish and town councils, community and voluntary groups, church groups, schools, students, youth clubs, scouts, cadets, brownies, guides, and businesses are all invited to take action against litter.

Volunteers can request free bin bags and gloves and can also borrow litter pickers and hoops.

Groups are asked to book any equipment required as far in advance as possible as there are limited numbers available and high demand during peak weekends throughout the Spring Clean campaign.

All items must be returned to the council after your event.

More: How to request your litter-picking equipment »

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Would you like to thank a volunteer who has gone the extra mile? Nominations are now open for the South Gloucestershire Council Chair’s Community Awards 2019.

The annual awards recognise and celebrate the valuable contribution local unpaid volunteers and community groups make to life in South Gloucestershire.

The next celebration of community work and volunteering takes place in April and you have until Thursday 28th February to nominate your local ‘community heroes’.

Suggestions for nominations include individuals and groups who have contributed to community development, promoting equality, arts, sports, play, environment, working with older or young people, advice and advocacy or someone who has simply been a good neighbour. From charity fundraisers to local football club managers, sports coaches and arts festival organisers, these awards have seen South Gloucestershire Council honour the dedication and commitment of hundreds of unsung heroes across the district.

Council chair Cllr Rachael Hunt said:

“Our Community Awards have been running since 2003 to celebrate the contribution local people make to life in South Gloucestershire and since then over 400 people have received an award.”

“During my year as chair of the council it has been an absolute honour to meet so many people from across our area who work tirelessly, and without financial reward, for the benefit of their communities. These awards are a small way to recognise the importance of volunteering and to thank a few of our local community heroes.”

“I am really looking forward to seeing this year’s nominations and hearing about all the wonderful work going on in South Gloucestershire.”

More: How to make your nominations for the awards »

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An update from Sara Messenger of the Bradley Stoke in Bloom group.

First of all, I must say a big welcome to our newbies, Tom, Stevie and Suzanna. I’m just hoping we didn’t put them off on their first day with the huge amount of work we all accomplished, although they were well rewarded in biscuits, and the rain did finally stop! After a slightly late start (mix up with the padlock keys) we began at the Manor Farm Corner (Brook Way / Savages Wood Road). Or maybe that should be corners, as we’ve taken over the adjacent corner as well. The established corner was weeded and pruned and we put in some of my personal favourites: hostas and irises which were a gift from Almondsbury Garden Centre. The ‘new’ corner saw the remaining bramble dug up, an ongoing and thankless task, and the border weeded. Before we knew it, Suzanna had whizzed round and put in a very neat looking edge, so now not only does the dogwood add a welcome splash of winter colour, but it all looks so much more professional. Under the trees, we have left the dandelions, as these are one of the first plants to flower in the spring and they give the newly woken bees a much needed boost. And we have finally installed the insect hotel, which was made during a skate park working day. Although we have kept it low, so that it can’t be used to climb over the wall, it is still large enough for many insects and there is even space underneath for a hedgehog ‘des-res’. There are special places for butterflies to overwinter and for solitary bees to lay their eggs, as well as many snug hiding places for all manner of creepy crawlies to enjoy, although I do find that they tend to ignore our carefully designed plans and just go where they feel like! Tom added the finishing touches to Stevie’s roof, while a young Max helped us to put in a few more bee homes and then the job was done.

More: The rose garden, The Common East and Aztec Triangle »

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The West of England MS Therapy Centre in Bradley Stoke is inviting local businesses to a networking afternoon on Thursday 14th February, from 3pm to 5pm.

The afternoon will include an inspiring talk from Invictus Games 2018 silver medallist Jeff Robinson (pictured), along with canapés, drinks and plenty of time for networking with all the local businesses.

Sarah Vincent, events and community officer, will also be talking about the benefits to businesses when they work alongside a charity. A study carried out by Deloitte found that employees were “twice as likely to rate their corporate culture as very positive” if their company was involved with a charity.

“We are really looking forward to bringing local businesses together to share our fantastic work with them and to enable the businesses themselves to create new relationships with each other,” said Sarah.

The West of England MS Therapy Centre has been caring for people with multiple sclerosis and neurological conditions, their families and carers since 1985.

If your business would like to attend this FREE event, please contact Sarah Vincent to book your place on 01454 628723 or sarah.vincent@mstherapybristol.org.uk

More info: Love your Charity event page on Facebook

Photo:  Invictus Games 2018 silver medallist Jeff Robinson.

This article originally appeared in the February 2019 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (on page 23). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH (except August), to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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