Without litter picking, much of the path and particularly entrances would become very littered in a fairly short space of time.
Fortunately, there are a good number of volunteers who are happy to do their bit to keep littering on the path to an acceptable level. Some of these volunteers belong to groups such as the Friends of the Fallowfield Loop or Sustrans (who manage the path) or a Scout Group. Others act on a purely individual basis and this is fine too. Everybody is welcome to join in, either on a regular basis, or just as a one-off. The following is intended to help those that want to get involved and are not sure how to make the first steps
Floop Litter Pickers Group
The Floop Litter Pickers was formed in autumn 2021 partly as a result of the pandemic when it made a lot of sense to split the path into sections and invite people to ‘adopt’ a section. (Prior to this, the only organised litter picking was done by a group meeting once per month and working on a different part of the path each time). To set up the Floop Litter Pickers, a number of volunteers were appointed as ‘Lead volunteers’ and they were provided with some basic equipment largely supplied by Manchester City Council and the Friends. It was left up to each one to decide when and how they would organise their litter picking. Most found others to assist them while others were already part of another group and could call on that group to assist them. The Floop Litter Pickers remain active today and most people seem to agree that based on the state of the path, the present set up is working well.
Probably the easiest way to get involved is to contact your local Lead volunteer.
Floop Litter Pickers – Lead volunteers (Jan 2023)
| Start of section | Lead volunteer | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| St Werburghs | Paul Hutton | phutton1968@gmail.com 07821 642445 |
| Withington Road | Julian Beach (Scouts) | julian@trink.co.uk 07973 382980 |
| Princess Road | Martin Rathfelder | marathfelder@ntlworld.com 07968 703740 |
| Yew Tree Road | Cath Dyson | dyson_catherine@hotmail.com |
| Sherwood Street | Charles Kinniburgh | charles.kinniburgh@gmail.com 07784 793363 |
| Sainsburys | Vincent Walsh | vincentwalsh@tiscali.co.uk 07588 335781 |
| Lindleywood Road | Dick Venes | rjvenes@waitrose.com 07749 421254 |
| Slade Lane | Pam Flynn | pamflynn@cooptel.co.uk 07848 008249 |
| Railway bridge before Quadrants | Cerri Horrocks | fabricake@rocketmail.com 07980 305760 |
| Railway bridge after Quadrants | Helen Nicholson | h.nicholson@mmu.ac.uk 07905 095016 |
| Nelstrop Bridleway | Charles Kinniburgh | charles.kinniburgh@gmail.com 07784 793363 |
| Station Road | Daniel Leaman | axhn55@gmail.com 07879 657461 |
| Ryderbrow Road/ Dean Road | Charles Kinniburgh | charles.kinniburgh@gmail.com 07784 793363 |
| Gorton Allotments | Ellen Maxwell | Ellengmaxwell@yahoo.com 07766 242038 |
| Wright Robinson | Paul Billington | BillLanc@yahoo.com 07767 057537 |
They will advise you on how to get hold of equipment (e.g. a litter picker, high viz jacket, gloves) and what to do with the bags of litter once collected. There is a natural turnover of lead volunteers and so we are always looking for new recruits. If you feel you would like to get involved in this way, please contact the co-ordinator: Charles Kinniburgh (charles.kinniburgh@gmail.com) 07784 793363
Schools, Scout Groups, etc
For individuals, joining the Friends is a good way of belonging to a group whose main aim is to ensure the path remains a valued and widely used asset. However, we also wish to encourage local participation in as many ways as possible and therefore would like to encourage other groups such as schools or scount/guide groups to become involved – and litter picking is a good way to do this and it has a valuable educational benefit too. If you want to know more about how groups can get involved, please contact Charles Kinniburgh (charles.kinniburgh@gmail.com) .
Safety
There have been no serious accidents or incidents while litter picking but nevertheless a few precautions should be taken:
• Be aware that the path is used by cyclists and therefore try not to switch sides more than you have to and always look before crossing the path
• Pay particular attention to protecting your face especially when reaching into bushes
• Only venture where you are comfortable doing so and have regard for your personal safety (e.g. work in pairs)
• Do not feel obliged to clear everything – fly tips and dangerous items should be left untouched and reported for others to deal with
• Do not leave valuables such as bikes unattended
The positives
There are a surprising number of benefits that you may experience as a result of joining the litter picking family. Here are some:
• a feeling of doing something useful (rather just moaning about it)
• some worthwhile exercise
• enjoyment of being in the fresh air and being surrounded by nature
• a mental health benefit by engaging your mind on ‘other things’
The commitment
There is no commitment ! You can do as much or as little as you like, when you like and how you like. It will all be appreciated.
Friends of the Fallowfield Loop 