Parkview pupils clean up at Queen Elizabeth II playing fields

Mrs Gillian Pierce, Head of the Senior School contacted the Council to co-ordinate an action plan to remove all the litter that was lying within this local outdoor play facility.

Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chair of the Council’s Environmental Services Committee, speaking at the tidy up, said: “The Council was contacted by this local school as its pupils wished to play their part to ensure their local environment is litter free.

“We were delighted to have been able to assist Parkview School in their clean up through the provision of litter pickers, rubbish bags and gloves.

“The pupils were full of enthusiasm on the cold November morning as they got their protective gear on to enable them to stay safe while collecting litter.

“It is great to see the younger generation taking pride in our City and willing to do their bit to make it a clean, healthy, safe place for them to play and live.

“This project allows the school to show the wider Lisburn community how serious they are about litter blotting their local environment.

“I hope that those who use these playing fields after the clean-up by these local schoolchildren will respect their efforts and keep the area free of litter and dog fouling.”

Issues surrounding litter, waste and the local community fit perfectly into many areas of the school curriculum and are an ideal starting point for many group activities within Parkview School.

The Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Andrew Ewing, also present, said: “The children who took part were very excited to be part of the local tidy up. Staff from the school accompanied the Parkview pupils as they collected a range of items that had been left lying around the grounds.

“On behalf of the Council I would like to thank the school for participating in the tidy up and I would also like to thank the Council for supplying the necessary equipment for the clean up.”

Councillor Palmer added: “The Council remains committed to ensuring that the City area remains litter free as not only is litter unsightly and potentially dangerous it costs the Council thousands each year to tidy up.

“Lisburn City Council would like to encourage its residents, schools and community groups to contact the Council should they wish to organise a local litter pick.”