TAKING on the flytippers, a couple have cleared more than 28 miles of road in the Holsworthy to Bridgerule area.

Bridget Funnel, and her partner Roger Nosworthy, have been working with Torridge District Council during lockdown to tidy up their local area and clear as much rubbish from the roads and verges as they can.

Bridget said: “My partner and I have deep cleaned over 28 miles of roads where we live during lockdown.

“We have been working with Torridge quite closely, we clear a site, pile it up and report it — they come and collect. 

“It’s a global problem but we refuse to give into it. So far we have collected 1,249 cans, 407 glass bottles and thousands of plastic bottles and other items, lost count on bin bags but probably about 60. We wash and recycle as much as we can.”

As a result Bridgerule, Burnards House, and Holsworthy triangle have been thoroughly cleaned — however, on March 26 a layby just outside Holsworthy on the way to Derriton was flytipped, just a week after Bridget and Roger had cleared it of debris.

Bridget continued: “We monitor the areas regularly picking up fresh litter. I’m often out at 5am or 6am, running the area with carrier bag in hand! It’s so important to get across that we cannot accept this behaviour.”

She added: “It really has made a huge difference to the area and it’s managing to stay pretty clean. Maybe others are picking up too to keep it looking so good, which is great.

“I honestly think ours must be the cleanest area in England right now.”

Bridget is a member of the Facebook group Wombling Free, which allows people across Cornwall to share their litter picking successes.

The group was set up by teachers Gareth Price and Oli Jones of Liskeard to encourage people to combine daily exercise with a litter pick to keep their local areas clean.

The group has gained momentum in recent weeks, with more than 500 members sharing pictures and information daily.

Bridget said a number of posts in the group show young children going out after school everyday to pick up litter, something she says they ‘shouldn’t be having to do’. She added: “It’s all about education, starting with primary school age, so they in turn can not only educate their own children but start with their elders now!”

Gareth said: “The group really took off at the start of March and we now have over 500 members.

“Whilst many are in East Cornwall, we have had posts of litter picks coming in from all over the country and even from New Zealand.

“What the group demonstrates is that there are more people willing to do something about litter than there are people dropping it, so the battle against litter is winnable. There are local villages here such as St Cleer and Dobwalls and parts of Liskeard too where the litter situation has been hugely transformed.

“With Wombles growing in numbers daily there is every chance that the transformation that’s happening in parts of Cornwall can spread further beyond.”

Pleased to be able to support Bridget and Roger in their efforts, Janet Williams, public health and housing manager for Torridge District Council, said: “Most of us recognise how lucky we are to live in Torridge, but unfortunately a small minority of people seem to think it’s okay to turn our beautiful countryside into their personal landfill site!

“Working alongside the volunteers, Torridge has now picked up the collected the rubbish and recycled many of the items that they collected and we acknowledge the ongoing effort they have made to address this issue in their locality.

“We would like to remind people that littering and fly tipping will not be tolerated, and you could end up with a large fine, plus a date in court! If people want to report any littering or fly tipping incidents they should contact the council  at torridge.gov.uk/report.”