The inaugural Ilkley Litter Picker of the Year Awards have been launched to celebrate an unsung army of people who help keep the town and its surrounding areas tidy and litter-free.
Three awards will be handed out early next month. There will be an adult award and junior awards for 5 to 11-year-olds and for 12 to 18-year-olds.
People clearing litter in the villages of Addingham, Menston and Burley in Wharfedale, as well as the town of Ilkley, can also be nominated for an award.
The winner of the adult award will receive a certificate plus a cheque for £250 to be donated to the charity of their choice. The junior recipients will each be given a certificate plus a £50 cheque and a further £50 cheque to be donated to their chosen charity.
These are the first Ilkley litter picker awards and they’re the brainchild of local resident Thomas Black who wants to use them to not only celebrate the efforts of those who pick up litter, but to prick the conscience of those doing the littering.
“The scourge of litter is never very far away. Fortunately, in Ilkley, we have a small army of volunteers, young and old, who selflessly give up their time to keep the streets, verges and countryside litter-free,” he said.
“Week in, week out, these unsung heroes quietly go about their business and without them, the area would be a much more unpleasant place to live. That’s why we want to celebrate these individuals with these awards.”
The awards will focus on what was achieved in 2021 and are being supported by Ilkley Town Council.
People can nominate anyone who they believe should be considered for an award. Nomination forms are on the Ilkley Town Council website HERE.
The closing date for nominations is Noon on Thursday, March 31.
The names of the three winners will be revealed at Noon on Sunday, April 10. The awards ceremony will be preceded by an hour-long litter pick at the Cow and Calf Rocks from 11.00am.
We want to hear about anyone, young and old, who is doing his or her bit to keep our surroundings looking pristine.
“Anyone can do the nominating. If it’s for the adult award, it could be a friend, colleague or partner. If it’s a person of school age, it could be a fellow pupil, a teacher or a parent. The important thing is to recognise those who work so selflessly for the general good,” said Mr Black.
For further information, email ilkleylp@gmail.com.