Volunteers pledge to tidy town in Harwich Clean Up Initiative

The Harwich Clean Up Initiative is a community Facebook page, which is organising its first volunteer day of action on July 6 at Orwell Road, followed by Victoria Street on July 7.

Set up by Dean Clifford, the hope is to then get volunteers to help clean grot spots across the whole town.

Dean, of Orwell Road, said: “The reason I wanted to do this initially was just because I got fed up with the rubbish.

“Orwell Road has been ruined with trash and vandalism - as the trash has grown, the vandalism gets worse.

“It is time to take the power back into our own hands, clean up the area and leave it beautiful.

“Children are playing near this eyesore.

“What does this teach the younger generation?

“It teaches them that Harwich isn’t worth being respected or looked after.

“This is part of the Mayflower 2020 initiative so that when the tourists come in they have a great impression of Harwich and see it as the beautiful beach town it is meant to be.

“If they came today all they would see was a disgusting eyesore right next to the park and the sea they are visiting.

“We have an amazing opportunity to improve Harwich like never before.”

Volunteers have already pledged their time to help in Orwell Road and Victoria Street in Dovercourt.

The idea is to then get help with other areas.

Dean added: “We will have multiple days of action, starting with the big clean-up out the back of Orwell road.

“I’ve only lived here a few years, but after researching for only a short while about the history of Harwich, I fell in love with this place.

“So I realised very quickly that the rich history of Harwich is a resource and not something that should be left to stagnate.

“Don’t forget, we are where the Mayflower sailed out from.

“We have clear links with America.

“We have enough history to encourage people to join in and want to help and who want to visit.”

To join or volunteer with the Harwich Clean Up Initiative, visit the Facebook page.