First Meeting Since Covid-19

Message from Janet, a summary of the first group meeting since the onset of the Covid 19 global pandemic

Thanks to Mark for opening up early for us to hold our meeting at Smiths. Here's a resume of what was discussed.

First of all, a couple of medical issues: Maggie B has had a hip op but plans to be back with us asap. The group sends Maggie best wishes. Sue B took a tumble when passing a building where scaffold poles were being erected, again, best wishes, Sue.

From the beginning of Covid restrictions the group's weekly outings were cancelled but that didn't stop our members using their exercise time to continue litter-picking with their own timetable, and have continued doing this. In fact, this break has highlighted the fact that the group has functioned exceptionally well making up it's own outings. The evidence is all the pink sacks I see left alongside litter bins. So, a great big thank-you to you all. I'm feeling redundant - and delighted! Keep on doing what you're doing. Since the relaxation of restrictions sessions have resumed which do seem to be more of a social gathering with a cuppa afterwards. I'm sure that once the hedges and verges die down towards the end of the year, there will be loads more litter revealed.

As DDDC has been stretched over the last 18 months we have been unable to chase them with our enquiries/suggestions, so, there was very little info to pass back to the group.

The Bike Barn, sited off Shawcroft, contacted us and offered a donation towards our group as they are very supportive of our work. Initially we were thrilled but the group has managed very well without any financial support and felt that introducing money would change the dynamics of the group. Rather awkwardly I declined their offer - hopefully not offending them.

The Town Council has highlighted that the area around Brookside has become very littered and has asked for our help. Trying to keep Ashbourne tidy is what we do, so, let's make that our next session. I hope some of the Councillors will join us.

Post meeting note:

Thanks to Rosie, Anne C, Anne Mc, Janet P, John B, and Chris for turning out on a lovely afternoon to pick up others' discarded rubbish. The Brookside area was rather littered but the seven of us made short work of tidying it. We all ambled back into town in different directions intending to meet up for a cuppa but I lost the group and missed out! As Rosie and I were walking back we bumped into the lady who owns/runs the pop-up cafe in Thursday's market. She thanked us for our continued work and invited us to have a complimentary coffee with them when next passing. So nice to be appreciated.

This area was identified by the Town Council to one of our group as somewhere needing attention and I copied them into the e-mail detailing the time and location of the meeting point mentioning that we hoped to see some of the Councillors there to join/help us. Unfortunately, I neither received an acknowledgement or answer to the mail and nor did any of them join us.......!