Kirkcaldy’s wombles challenge to businesses to join litter clean-up in town
Kirkcaldy’s very own wombles are playing their part picking up litter and keeping the town as clean as they can - and they have issued a ‘play your part’ challenge to local businesses.
They want them to follow the example of staff from Asda Kirkcaldy, who helped at a clean-up at Seafield as the town gears up for this year’s Beautiful Scotland awards.
A huge amount of work has gone into keeping Kirkcaldy’s green spaces in the best condition possible, with Growing Kirkcaldy playing a lead role.
It is willing to loan litter pickers to businesses where staff are prepared to roll up their sleeves and make a difference by tackling some of the known hot spots.
The land near Tesco at the top of Nicol Street is problematic, while litter remains a bugbear along Hill Street to the former Fife Free Press office in Kirk Wynd, which is now private flats.
Last week, Growing Kirkcaldy’s volunteers tackled the site that was once home to Kitty’s Nightclub on the corner of Hunter Street, and its teams regularly work from the war memorial gardens to the Esplanade; a route which makes up the town’s green corridor.
Judith Kerr, secretary, said: “The site was not as bad as we first feared. Most of the rubbish was round the edges, and we also found some beautiful flowers growing there as well.
“But we are getting pretty sick of the rubbish left around empty shops and also the grounds of shops where no one has made any effort to clean up.”
The group carries out weekly patrols to keep the key areas tidy - “we call them our wombles” - and its work is backed up by a number of other voluntary organisations.
“We have a lot of groups all doing great work picking up litter and keeping the place tidy,” said Judith. “We are volunteers - if we can do it, then businesses can also play their part.” The call to arms comes as the town prepares for the month-long Lang Toun Fest, and the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the publication of Adam Smith’s Wealth Of Nations.
“These are events which will bring people into town and we want it to look its best,” said Judith. “The help makes a big difference.”
Business backing came from Asda recently as the supermarket teamed up with local volunteers from Seafield Environmental Group for a community litter pick as part of its ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign.
Jean Ritchie, community champion at Asda Kirkcaldy, along with colleagues Barbara Inglis from Asda Dunfermline and Julie McKell from St Leonards worked to help local volunteers spruce up the Seafield area as part of a beach clean up.
Jean said: “It was a great team effort by everyone on the day. The weather stayed dry through the event, and the sun even came out. But best of all, we collected 18 bags of litter, which is what it’s all about. My colleagues and I thoroughly enjoy joining forces every year to do our bit in this way. When community spirit is involved, you can get a lot done in a short space of time.”
Sally Walsh, from Seafield Environmental Group said: "Thank you to the ASDA Community Champions, Jean, Julie and Barbara for once again championing our community at Seafield Beach. You bring such energy and community spirit and the way you look after our volunteers with snacks and refreshments keeps everyone going throughout the clean‑up.
"This is exactly why we love where we live and why having Asda as part of our community makes such a difference. Thank you for helping us keep Seafield Beach clean."