Rochford District Litter picks

23/03/2026

Wow we were treated to a bright and pleasant morning, so we spent our time litter picking around Hawkwell. Rochford and Hockley, as part of our Great British Spring Clean challenge. Our spirits were high!

Our group spread their efforts starting with
Church Road Hockley where it was particularly disgusting. An hour later we had collected 8 bags of rubbish and gas cannisters in and around the ditch in the lay-by. Including 3 bags of bottles/cans. That's just tip of the ice berg down Church Rd.
[If anyone else is interested in doing an extra shift down there soon, please let us know.]
The amount of bottles and cans that are just chucked away in the ditch, is horrendous 🙈! Fortunately, no tyres today !!

Other bad areas included white hart lane around the scout hut, heading into Glencroft Park, and further onto Hawkwell Common where we uncovered some “treasures” – including a used nappy in the hedgerow and 5p for the kitty.
Usual finds along the way: full dog poo bags (always baffling), vapes, Dog ball, cooking tin, dictionary, kitchen utensils, pants, Greensward Tie and plenty of MOAM sweets wrappers.
We have recycled all cans, bottles and plastics.
A solid effort today with 21 bags collected 💪🌱well done everyone- great effort 🙌

Next week we will meet at Hockley Library- all welcome to join us.

22/03/2026

Archer our Duke of Edinburgh volunteer has continued to challenge himself during his litter picking journey.
This week he managed to collect over 80 items as he litter picked Near Sutton Road and surrounding areas.
Well done Archer - great job 👏 👏👏

22/03/2026

Please let us know if you are available to join with us at Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park for our community action day- 18th April 10am ?

19/03/2026

Our litter picking community are getting younger and more environmentally aware of the importance of keeping our community clean.
Meet James age 4 (with parents permission),
We are so proud of James, he has been litter picking around Plumberow School, recycling ♻️ cans , bottles and plastics.
Thank you James for your contribution towards the Great British Spring Clean 👏👏👏👏

19/03/2026

As Freddie continues his volunteer litter picking campaign as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award, he has achieved 5 of 12 sessions completed.
He has collected Two bags gathered from Rochford Golden Cross. Freddie is almost half way. Unusual finds included a golf ball. He also notes that masks are making a comeback as a result of the meningitis epidemic 😷 I suspect?
Well done Freddie great job 🙌

19/03/2026

Well done everyone taking part in the Great British Spring Clean
We are over half way to reaching our target and I’m sure we will not be disappointed with the amount of rubbish we continue to find and recycle.
Great job 🙌

16/03/2026

Would anyone like to join us meeting at KFC Rochford, this Thursday at 10am for an extra Litter Pick in Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park event for their Great British Spring Clean
Refreshments will be provided afterwards complimentary from Kfc Rochford
All welcome. 🙏

16/03/2026

A bright but blustery morning litter picking at Clements Hall and the surrounding areas, including Ashingdon, Rochford, Hall Road, Hawkwell and Hockley.
Unusual finds today included a chair (reported to RDC), half a skateboard, a metal sign, screwdriver, a pregnancy test kit, and felt pens.
We have recycled cans, bottles and plastic.

We were also able to collect some bags from the Norse contractors crew and filled over 15 bags in total – more than halfway to our target of 24 in two weeks for the Great British Spring Clean. 🌿♻️
Join us if you wish to take part in The Great British Spring Clean.
Huge well done everyone 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Next week we will meet at Hawkwell shopping parade and surrounding areas.

Every bag makes a difference! 💪

16/03/2026

Archer our D of E volunteer did litter picking at the Freight House and Rochford Reservoir - duck pond this week. Thank you 🙏
Well done Archer

13/03/2026

Our Litter picking group- please be aware of these surveys taking place when we are litter picking

https://www.facebook.com/share/17tjEafMj6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Reptile Survey Spring 2026 -
Survey mats have been strategically placed in the park as part of a reptile survey being undertaken. Seven separate surveys will be conducted to establish the presence or absence of reptiles on the site.

The survey will combine two main methods: Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) and Artificial Refuge Surveys (ARS). VES comprise walked transects along suitable reptile habitats to record any animals foraging or basking in open sunshine. For ARS, a series of refuges, the survey mats, have been laid across the survey area focused on suitable reptile habitat.

The 7 survey visits will be taking place throughout April and May, so if people could refrain from clearing the mats it would be a massive help to the survey. The surveyor will be collecting all the maps on their final visit.

Thanks you

13/03/2026

Our young D of E volunteer Freddie continued with his litter picking project this week at Hall Road, along the pathway towards Rochford Station.
It was his best haul of rubbish yet despite the windy weather conditions he collected 87 bottles and cans (glass and plastic) which he deposited in Hockley Library Recycling Bins.

The weirdest items found : pyjama bottoms tied at the feet ends and full of bottles! A Quirky way to get rid of your beer bottles?!?! Plus a discarded hot water bottle, a trainer shoe and Resin Bars.😂😂😂 he has now completed week four. Well done Freddie- his proud Nan says “The boy done good”! 🏆⭐️♥️

09/03/2026

A misty morning start for our volunteer litter pickers.
Covering Ashingdon, Hawkwell, Hockley and Rochford.
The usual finds today included plenty of bottles, cans and plastics to recycle. Plus unusual items Gloves, shoes, spoon, 5 pence for the charity kitty, the obligatory dog poo bags abandoned, and even a bit of wood for the log fire. To top it all we have enjoyed seeing the daffodils coming into bloom- Small wins everywhere. ♻️🔥

Magnolia Way not too bad as Rochford Hundred Rugby Club had done their bit by removing the rubbish. They invited us in for coffee which we declined - how lovely was that. 🙏🙏
A small group then did Main Road by Potash. Two bags in total.

Well done everyone-great team effort 🙌
We also reported the fly tipping which will be collected by RDC contractors. Thank you 🙏
Next week will will meet at Clements Hall/Park Gardens entrance; all welcome to join us.