by Rebecca Hannant
The new Town SMART clean-up group is officially under way after signing up its first cohort of volunteers.
In July, South East Holderness Reform UK ward councillor Jon Dimberline announced plans for the initiative to bring volunteers together to help tidy up the Withernsea area.
Cllr Dimberline said: “Since becoming a councillor, one of the things that’s always niggled me has been untidiness around Withernsea. Town SMART stands for Strategic Multi Action Response Team. It was just an idea to see if we could get some volunteers together to smarten up the town.”
Inspired by similar initiatives in places such as Beverley and Hornsea, where dedicated volunteers make small visual improvements through gardening, seasonal displays, litter picking, and painting, he hopes that by cleaning up places like Withernsea, perceptions of the town will change for both residents and tourists. He also believes the initiative will help residents take pride in their community.
A total of 18 volunteers officially signed up on Friday, November 1, and Saturday, November 2, completing the necessary training. Individual volunteers have already been seen around Withernsea collecting litter while wearing their new Town SMART hi-vis vests.
Cllr Dimberline added: “I think that people will be pleased to see people doing this. I’m already getting feedback from one or two who’ve gone out and done it. We have had thank you messages on the Facebook page, which is great.
“People like to see something going on that’s making the town a little bit better and improving things, whether that be cutting trees back or painting railings. I also think there is going to be a big impact on the people who are doing it.
“There are people who may be retired, and it will give them something to do. Meanwhile, people will be able to go out there and socialise. Hopefully, this will make a difference to the area visually and be healthy for the volunteers.”
Once fully under way, Town SMART aims to cover Withernsea, Patrington, Easington, Keyingham, Ottringham, Rimswell, Roos, and areas in between, focusing on tasks such as tidying gardens, clearing public spaces, and maintaining street signs, flower beds, and other communal areas.
Cllr Dimberline said: “The idea is we follow a strategy, we’re organised, we’re multi-action so we can wash, sweep, cut grass, pull weeds out. We can do different things – it’s not just litter picking. There are loads of areas I have noticed – there are rusty railings on the promenade that need painting. There are areas on the prom and on the streets and pathways that need weeding.
“The road that goes up to the cemetery is another area – the grass starts growing into the path, reducing the width, so this needs to be trimmed back. There’s litter on the streets and there’s lots of litter on the beach. Every bit of plastic we can take off the beach is another fish or another animal that isn’t going to be affected by it.”
Cllr Dimberline noted that Town SMART would not replace any works carried out by Withernsea Town Council, parish councils, or East Riding Council, and any concerns must still be reported via the usual methods online or by phone.
Town SMART is looking to recruit more volunteers, especially within the villages. Anyone wishing to join can contact the committee by messaging the Facebook page Town SMART East Yorkshire, or by contacting Cllr Dimberline at [email protected] or on 01964 614000.
Volunteers must complete an initial health and safety induction before carrying out any activities. Once signed up, they can join the WhatsApp group to coordinate and report clean-up activities or join efforts led by other volunteers. Volunteers can participate as often and for as many hours as they wish.
