The event was organised jointly by the Councillors, Shortlands Residents’ Association and Ravensbourne Valley Residents Association. Around 20 volunteers turned out to help clean up the local area. The team included the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Jonathan Andrews and former Mayor Dr David Jefferys, a former Councillor for Shortlands.
Councillor Gemma Turrell, who joined a team covering the village, Farnaby Road, Madeira Avenue and Highland Road, said:
“We all had a fantastic time litter-picking around Shortlands and the Ravensbourne Valley. Thank you to all the volunteers who gave up their Saturday morning to come out and make our area an even more pleasant place to live. We all had a lot of fun, and there was some friendly competition to see who could find the biggest piece of litter and who could fill their bag the fastest! It was an enjoyable, social morning, and I would encourage any resident who wishes to get involved in keeping their streets clean to join Bromley Street Friends”.
Since being elected to the council last year, Gemma has worked to secure new measures to tackle fly-tipping in the area, for example, new signage in places such as the junction of Park Road and Beckenham Grove.
Serena Gupta, who helped cover Station Road and the Queensmead Recreation Ground, added:
“In Bromley, we have a huge amount of pride in our open spaces, and local people are never shy about rolling up their sleeves to help keep the area special. It was fantastic to meet so many people at the litter pick, passionate about keeping Shortlands and the Ravensbourne Valley so green and clean”.
Anyone interested in becoming a street friend can find out more information and sign up at https://www.bromley.gov.uk/StreetFriends.