Well done, Chesterfield - our parks haven't been left with litter piled high

Over the last couple of days, people across the UK have been left appalled by pictures of litter strewn across parks as crowds took to the great outdoors in the spring sun.
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Thankfully, similar scenes have not been seen in Chesterfield parks – so well done to locals.

Some litterbugs are out there, however, and they are being urged to get rid of their rubbish responsibly.

Queen's Park looking nice and clean this week. Pictures by Brian Eyre.Queen's Park looking nice and clean this week. Pictures by Brian Eyre.
Queen's Park looking nice and clean this week. Pictures by Brian Eyre.
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A Chesterfield Borough Council spokesperson said: “The vast majority of our residents and visitors respect the beautiful parks and green spaces that we have in our borough, and while we haven’t seen a huge increase in litter at our sites in recent days, people are still leaving waste behind and clean-up teams have been out to clear sites.

“We remain vigilant and continue to share the message that people should dispose of their litter responsibly, either in bins on site or – should they be full during busy periods – take it back home with them.

“Thanks to our residents who are showing their pride in our borough on social media too – a recent council Facebook post reminding people to respect our parks as lockdown eases was shared over 500 times and reached nearly 49,000 people in just a few hours.”

It has been great to see a number of local parks looking mostly clean this week – when so many in other parts of the UK have hit headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Litter-free Holmebrook Valley Park.Litter-free Holmebrook Valley Park.
Litter-free Holmebrook Valley Park.
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Many people flocked to Endcliffe Park in Sheffield on Tuesday – and shocking images emerged showing the ocean of litter left in their wake.

Our sister title the Sheffield Telegraph reported that the popular city park was packed for most of the day, with many groups drinking and socialising in the sunshine following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Bins were left overflowing and piles of rubbish were stacked against them on the ground.

One shocked Endcliffe mum said: “It is awful this morning, I have never seen it this bad.”

Sheffield Telegraph editor Ellen Beardmore took this picture of messy Endcliffe Park in Sheffield earlier this week.Sheffield Telegraph editor Ellen Beardmore took this picture of messy Endcliffe Park in Sheffield earlier this week.
Sheffield Telegraph editor Ellen Beardmore took this picture of messy Endcliffe Park in Sheffield earlier this week.
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Craig Bell said the green space had been ‘trashed with litter’.

Louise Meadows described the crowds as ‘absolutely disgusting’ and ‘selfish’.

Outraged Christine Donson said: “What is the society of Britain becoming?”

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