From Rubbish to Remarkable: Thornwood's Community Cleanup Triumph

This past weekend, Cllr Lisa Morgan and I had the privilege of joining a dedicated team of 14 volunteers — and one very enthusiastic dog — to tackle the growing litter problem along Weald Hall Lane in Thornwood. Over the course of three hours, we collected more than 30 full bags of rubbish from the hedgerows and ditches. Among the usual cans, plastic bags, and household waste, we were shocked to find over 75 discarded nitrous oxide canisters — a worrying reminder of the challenges our community faces.

The cleanup was a shining example of what can be achieved when residents come together. It was heartwarming to see people of all ages working side by side, united by a shared commitment to keeping our countryside clean and safe. One resident told us how upsetting it had been to walk past the rubbish every day and how grateful they were to see the area transformed.

It’s clear that fly-tipping and littering are becoming more widespread across Epping Forest, and the Council needs to step up. As volunteers, we did what we could — but we also discovered two large fly-tipping sites too big to clear ourselves. I’ve reported these to Epping Forest District Council and they’ve already been cleared.

Community spirit like this is powerful, but it shouldn’t be up to residents alone to solve these problems. The Council’s current approach, including a five-week notice period for approving litter picks, is too slow and too bureaucratic. We deserve better. If council tax keeps rising, our services should improve, not decline.

I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved on Saturday. I hope this initiative can expand to North Weald and Hastingwood soon. If you’re passionate about protecting our local environment and want to get involved in future cleanups, please reach out. Together, we can make a lasting difference.