Move over Avengers, there are new Superheroes in town!
Growing up in Grangemouth, I was always under the impression that everybody knew everybody. It was a safe place, you trusted your neighbours but more importantly, you knew them. Going back about ten/fifteen years ago (The Good Ol’ Days) before the internet you could really see Grangemouth was a community that its residents took pride in. Flash forward to present day and personally it feels like the sense of pride in community is gone. That was until a few weeks ago when I stumbled across a group of volunteers who look to reinstate the pride – and cleanliness – within our (Grangemouth’s) community.
Grangemouth has been receiving what is known as the “glitter” treatment. This is what organiser Phyllis Paterson calls her campaign which she started just over a year ago alongside her neighbour with one simple motive: to clean Grangemouth up. To get to know and understand the campaign a bit better, I decided to take part in a litter pick and go on patrol with the “gLitter” team.
I was quite taken back when I was out in more ways than one. To begin with, I was thanked for coming and helping. This team shouldn’t be thanking me, it should be me thanking them for the effort and contribution they have made. Another way I was shocked is that the content of rubbish which people take no consideration when throwing away. I was picking up kitchen blinds, shopping trolleys and to my horror: sanitary towels. None of this horror compares to the recycled patter of the young team who shout at the gLitter team, “is that community service you’re doing?”. A comment heard regularly amongst the gLitter team.
Nothing phases the gLitter team however! In just over a year Phyllis estimates that they have cleaned up over 1400 (fourteen hundred) bags of litter from all over Grangemouth. Her campaign started just over a year ago and it wasn’t long before she took to social media with her campaign which has attracted over 920 followers on Facebook.
Other than making the town sparkle I asked if there was any other elements that make the group so special: “There’s a great social element to the group, not only can you do something good for the community but it’s also a great way to meet new people” said one member.
It’s also a tremendous way to keep yourself fit and active. Picking up litter takes the group up to three hours of their free time every Tuesday night – such a brilliant effort and contribution to the community from all involved!
My time spent with the glitter team was a success. To look at it from another point of view, it is fantastic that Phyllis and her team do this for the community but sad that they must do it in the first place. This team of superheroes are out on the streets fighting the crime that is litter. We are aware there are numerous groups throughout the Falkirk district and are all teaming up to make Falkirk clean again!
Both Litter groups can be found on Grangemouth and are always looking for volunteers. So, what do you say? Do your bit for your community and give it the gLitter treatment.