Ventnor's very own Wombles tackling litter problem

When St John's Road in Wroxall was closed for gas works, Ventnor Wombles took the opportunity to litter pick the B3327 from Mountfield Road, Wroxall to Rolf's Corner.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a group pick was vetoed and instead three 'Wombles' swept the area on various dates between February 25 and March 7 for a combined total of 28 hours.

Litter picked by the Ventnor Wombles.

Wendy Marshall for the group said: "45 bags of rubbish was collected including a construction knife, golf ball and Fozzie Bear, plus items that could not be put in a bag such as metal pipes, wooden poles, broken piece of butler sink and a plastic cone.

"Fence panels found in a hedge were too big for Wombles to transfer to their wast collection point and therefore Island Roads have been notified.

"We also found two carcasses. A bird probably hit by a car and a mouse, killed by someone discarding a glass bottle that it had got into and couldn't get out of.

"An approximate cost of this litter pick, factoring in labour, bags, disposal by a licensed waste operator, would have been about £350 to £400.

Litter picked by the Ventnor Wombles.

"This does not include the fuel used by the Wombles' car to transfer the rubbish to a collection point.

"Womble litter picking is free of charge. The rubbish bags were paid by Island Roads and donated.

"The only cost incurred has been for the disposal of the rubbish, which was £100 and paid by those who pay their precept part of the council tax to Ventnor Town Council.

"Thanks to great uncle Womble Don, Womble Helen and Womble Wendy for clearing the rubbish on this road."

Litter picked by the Ventnor Wombles.

On Saturday, March 6, Womble Mouse and Tina litter picked the rabbit warren area of Wroxall Down.

Wendy said: "The area is used by those who wish to drink in secret. It's an area of gorse you can disappear into.

"Two hours later, more than 200 crushed cans filled one huge bag.

"There was also two large bags of glass bottles and another bin bag full of litter and broken glass ­— four bags in total."

On Tuesday, March 9, Wendy litter picked at Victoria Corner, Ventnor.

Litter picked by the Ventnor Wombles.

The seating area was cleared of rubbish and leaves and broken glass were swept up ­— another four bags collected in total.

On Sunday, March 14, Ventnor Wombles were requested by a resident of the town to litter pick between Bellevue Road and Ocean View Road.

A quick task, the team also litter picked at Triangle Garden opposite Ventnor Industrial Estate.

"Ventnor Wombles are just residents of Ventnor who love where they live," said Wendy.

"There are many of them out there quietly Wombling about."

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