Put some sparkle into Smithdown this autumn

It was heartening to see after this summer’s riots across the UK that, almost immediately, people of all ages and backgrounds came together to clean up the mess left. It seemed to instil a new sense of pride in people’s communities, a chest-beating strength in the face of adversity, and that’s set to (hopefully) continue with a bunch of activities organised this autumn.

The newly announced programme, organised by the council, boasts craft activities and football sessions for young people and a whole range of work to make the Smithdown area cleaner, brighter, and generally a bit easier on the eye.

Amongst the organised events there’s re-painting of litter bins, weeding of frontages, filling of planters and a big clean-up of Toxteth cemetery. It’s probably not the most glamourous way to spend your weekends, but it might be the most satisfying.

There’s also some householder-targeted activities too: people across the area will be encouraged to stencil their addresses on wheelie bins to assist with the huge amount of bins that go missing (the Smithdown area being a particular problem area), which cost a staggering £500,000 to replace every year. Five hundred grand. Seriously.

Of course, with recent cuts we’re not at all surprised to see these council organised ‘community activities’ rearing their heads - it’s free labour, after all. But all of us are responsible for taking some pride in our area, and if that means grappling with a pot of paint and an army of wheelie bins, then bring it on.

Volunteer meeting:
United Reformed Church, Cantsfield Street
From 10am on Friday October 21 and Saturday October 22