Biggest spring clean yet

Organisers say that so far 60 community groups and businesses have signed up and 55 sites have been picked for the annual clean-up of the city, which is to take place on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6.

The event, organised by Oxford Civic Society, is supported by The Oxford Times.

And today we can publish a full list of the city ‘grot spots’ that are to be cleaned up over the weekend.

So far five schools and three colleges have registered, joining scores of residents’ groups from all sides of the city that will be taking part.

And organisers say there is still time to join in the spsirng clean, whether you are an individual or someone wanting to involve your neighbours, workmates or school friends.

The list includes car parks, shopping areas and housing estates. But volunteers will also tackle city parks at Cutteslowe, Bury Knowle and Headington and green areas such as the Trap Grounds, Wolvercote Common, Warneford Meadow and the Seacourt Nature Reserve.

Volunteers will also be focusing on the city’s waterways, with the City Barge Rowing Club to clean up stretches of the Thames and residents planning to clean up the Osney Stream.

Earlier this month, Ox-Clean challenged readers of The Oxford Times to identify ‘grot-spots’ and organise groups with friends and neighbours.

But OxClean still wants to hear about more.

OxClean chairman Ros Weatherall said: “I have been going around the city council’s area committee meetings to encourage those who haven’t taken part yet, and are concerned about litter, to register and make up a group from their neighbours.

“We hope we can top the numbers we got involved last year because everybody feels the same about litter — it shouldn’t be there.

“We hope the litter-picks will encourage more people to join and groups can then go ahead and do litter-picks more often. Not only does this help keep Oxford clean but it also strengthens communities.

“One of the great things about Oxford is that we have strong communities, who feel passionate about keeping their environment clean.”Each group is able to claim up to five free litter-pickers for taking part. So far the organisation has handed out 180 of the 407 it bought at a discount price from The Helping Hand Company.

OxClean was able to buy the litter-pickers after a £2,500 grant from the Oxfordshire Community Foundation and £200 from Carl Room, owner of McDonald’s franchises in Botley, Headington and the city centre.

Mr Room also promised that any youngsters who joined one of his litter-pick teams for OxClean would receive a free meal.

At this stage last year, the litter blitz organised by OxClean had attracted 43 volunteer groups.

Overall 99 groups took part in the 2009 Oxford spring clean.

Organisers are confident of easily breaking the 100 barrier, with free litter-pickers being issued to groups, who will be allowed to keep them to make sure their areas remain tidy all year round.

Last year, volunteers taking part in the spring clean collected the litter equivalent of the weekly waste produced by 700 homes.

People wishing to take part should register on the website www.oxclean.org.uk, where they can learn about how they can access litter-pickers, rubbish bags and rubbish collection.

Alternatively, readers should email details of areas with litter problems to info@oxclean.org.uk, describing the location of the grot-spot and the extent of the problem, as well as their contact details in case clarification is needed. OxClean only focuses on areas within the city.