On Wednesday 9 November, volunteers came out in Hockley Heath to clean up and promote the local area as part of the Love Solihull campaign organised by Solihull Council and Hockley Heath Parish Council.
The day involved litter picking around the village, trimming back overgrown vegetation surrounding the war memorial and bus stops, bulb planting, cleaning signage and planting up new low level planters in an attempt to stop parking on pavements.
Love Solihull is an initiative that works alongside local residents to improve areas of the borough and to make greener, cleaner and more sustainable environments.
While many Hockley Heath residents do regularly carry out environmental work in their local neighbourhood, it is the first time they were joined and supported by Love Solihull.
Bulb planting was undertaken by pupils from Hockley Heath Primary Academy. Local businesses also mucked in to show their support, with the Wharf Tavern and Miller & Carter providing refreshments and somewhere to go to warm up. Employees from Tesco Extra in Solihull also came along to lend a helping hand.
Councillor Ken Hawkins, Cabinet Member for Environment Housing and Regeneration said: “The day was a positive success and it’s fantastic to be able to partner up with the Parish Council to enable local, good-hearted volunteers to do great work in the area.
“Not only is it good for the environment but the work done also has other benefits including increasing visibility of signage for visitors, reducing anti-social parking on pavements and engaging with young people.”
Councillor Assunta Maria Vernon of Hockley Heath Parish Council said: “On behalf of the Hockley Heath Parish Council I would like to thank the many volunteers and the Tesco Community Campaign team who turned out on such a miserable day.
“To Miller and Carter and the Wharf who provided much needed sustenance and hot drinks and lastly to the young members of our community from Hockley Heath Academy who planted bulbs in the recreation ground. Their work will be visible in the spring for us all to enjoy. I would describe the day as a great success; our first joint venture with the Love Solihull initiative.”
If residents would like to organise or get involved with any Love Solihull clear up events call 0121 704 6673 or email lovesolihull@solihull.gov.uk. For more information about Love Solihull visit www.solihull.gov.uk/lovesolihull.
