Harrogate Town Council launches new series of litter picks at beloved Grade II listed park
The public has been praised for rallying behind the first of a new series of litter picks at one of Harrogate’s most-loved outdoor locations.
Residents showed their civic spirit by getting together to take part in the new initiative at Valley Gardens.
The event was organised by Harrogate Town Council in partnership with Friends of Valley Gardens to mark the Great Get Together Clean Up – a joint national initiative between Keep Britain Tidy and The Jo Cox Foundation.
Harrogate Town Councillor Tom Martin, who represents the Valley Gardens Ward and led the litter picking session, said: “I was delighted to see local people willing to give up their time on a Saturday morning and take part in our own Great Get Together Clean Up.
"The event is intended to be a celebration of everything that connects our communities and beautiful public spaces such as the Valley Gardens do just that..
"We are lucky to have it on our doorstep.
"Harrogate Town Council would like to thank everyone who came along and helped.”
Volunteers gave up their time to collect rubbish from areas including the New Zealand Gardens and the Japanese Gardens, as well as around the Sun Pavillion and tennis courts.
Harrogate Town Council is the parish-level local authority for the town of Harrogate, working on behalf of residents to support community initiatives, local services and civic life.
Its 19 ward councillors were elected last year by local voters, in part, to fill the gap in local government left by the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council in 2023 and the creation of the new, bigger unitary authority of North Yorkshire Council.
The newly-formed town council focuses on grassroots governance, community wellbeing, and local infrastructure.
Funded by an annual "precept" from local residents' council tax bills equating to £12 per year for a Band D property, it has committed itself to organising regular litter picks in the parish, with future information and dates to be publicised on its Facebook channel.
For more information on Harrogate Town Council, visit :https://harrogatetowncouncil.gov.uk/
For more information on the Friends of Valley Gardens, visit: https://www.friendsofvalleygardens.co.uk/