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Andy Tilley and Deanne Gough have spent five years litter picking along the A17 on a Sutton Bridge Wombles clean-up mission




Fake breasts, an unemptied catheter, bottles filled with urine and a 21-year-old crisp packet are the more unusual items found by a dedicated couple who have litter-picked for more than five years.

Sutton Bridge Wombles - Andy Tilley and Deanne Gough - regularly clear the eight lay-bys on the A17 between the village and Long Sutton, filling up some 75 rubbish bags in a four-and-a-half-hour cleaning session.

The volunteers, who regularly endure abuse - and rubbish - hurled at them by passing motorists, require knowledge of how to deal with vermin and up-to-date tetanus injections as part of their community service.

Sutton Bridge Wombles Andy Tilley and Deanne Gough. PHOTOS: JENNY BEAKE
Sutton Bridge Wombles Andy Tilley and Deanne Gough. PHOTOS: JENNY BEAKE

Every week they clear the eight-mile stretch up to the McDonalds and BP garage roundabout of leaves, overhanging trees and rubbish left in the tyre bins provided to avoid debris being strewn across the lay-bys and road.

Deanne said: “We live in a throw-away society.

“If someone buys a new phone and doesn’t want it they just chuck it away.

Andy and Deanne in their hi-vis
Andy and Deanne in their hi-vis

“When we were young we took our rubbish home with us.”

SUPPORT FOR COUPLE

The couple are supported by South Holland district councillors Jack Tyrell, the environmental services portfolio holder, Chris Brewis, Michael Booth and David Wilkinson - which gives them authority to litter-pick and have the tyre bins on the A17.

McDonalds at Long Sutton donates Andy and Deanne red refuse sacks which they like because they are strong bags
McDonalds at Long Sutton donates Andy and Deanne red refuse sacks which they like because they are strong bags

Andy and Deanne both feel that the general public should be held accountable for throwing litter - one suggestion being car registrations or telephone numbers printed on receipts from fast food stops.

They also would like to see more resources such as cameras in lay-bys and education to teach about the impact of irresponsibly fly-tipping and throwing litter

Andy said: “People have shouted ‘get a job’ so I shout back ‘use a bin’, but we are just used to it now.

One of the more unusual items found by Andy and Deanne that had been dumped
One of the more unusual items found by Andy and Deanne that had been dumped

“Fly-tippers should have their cars crushed there and then. I think their registration should be put on receipts to help identify them,

“Penalties need to be much tougher - we clear bags and bags of dog mess. We need more resources - cameras - but there is an issue around GDPR.”

The couple own a lorry firm and do all this in their spare time, clearing the lay-bys using their truck and trailer which has a flashing light for visibility. They are fully insured by the council to work along the A17.

After a visit from Wombles Andy and Deanne the dyke is clear of rubbish, water flows, and farmers are pleased
After a visit from Wombles Andy and Deanne the dyke is clear of rubbish, water flows, and farmers are pleased

They use their own equipment such as spades and chainsaws and are part of the Truckers Cleaning Up Britain group.

SOME UNUSUAL ITEMS

Hundreds of discarded vapes have been collected by the couple - which can be dangerous due to their lithium batteries. One vape did cause a fire that Andy had to quickly deal with.

Andy and Deanne will be recognised for their work by Sutton Bridge Council
Andy and Deanne will be recognised for their work by Sutton Bridge Council

Meanwhile, fake breasts, unemptied catheters and bottles filled with urine have also been located.

Deanne said: “We feel lucky that we are respected and have support.”

Although they were ‘promised’ cameras in the lay-bys, there is a cost to having the resources to check them.

Andy and Deanne report fly-tipping such as this where an old television and hoover has been dumped on a layby tyre bin
Andy and Deanne report fly-tipping such as this where an old television and hoover has been dumped on a layby tyre bin

As traffic hurtles past them at 60mph, they visit each lay-by to empty the tyre bins that are filled with cups, cartons and packaging from the nearby facilities.

Deanne said: “People say it’s McDonald’s’ fault - but it’s not. It’s your fault.

“We are lucky with the support from McDonald’s and Bush Tyres who have helped us with tyres that have been dumped.

Warming up in McDonalds who donated red refuse sacks- Sutton Bridge Wombles Deanne Gough and Andy Tilley with reporter Jenny Beake. PHOTO: JENNY BEAKE
Warming up in McDonalds who donated red refuse sacks- Sutton Bridge Wombles Deanne Gough and Andy Tilley with reporter Jenny Beake. PHOTO: JENNY BEAKE

“We report those as fly-tipping but they are still there after weeks and weeks.”

What seems a thankless task is a passion for the couple who take pride in the area.

Deanne said: “People will come and talk to us while we are on our hands and knees clearing litter.

Andy and Deanne won volunteer of the year at the Pride of South Holland Awards
Andy and Deanne won volunteer of the year at the Pride of South Holland Awards

“Some people buy us coffee and thank us.”

On a typical morning they can fill up to 100 refuse sacks which they return to the Curlew Centre in Sutton Bridge for council workers to collect.

Rat holes surround the tyre bins, so they kick the bin first before taking anything out as rodents scurry away.

Along with the debris of drink, food and urine, some more unusual objects have been discarded which reflect another side of life on the road.

Andy said: “We find a lot of lady toys.

“We found a pair of size 11 stilettos. Unfortunately I am only a size nine so I didn’t keep them!

“We’ve found nipple clamps, suspenders, brand new clothes and a lot of things to do with drugs.”

CAN MORE BE DONE?

The couple feel the police could do more when they find discarded bikes - they have been told to give them away - by returning them to their owners.

They often find dens which they leave intact, after clearing the rubbish, and pass on anything they find that is helpful to those taking shelter.

The couple also clear the dykes that run parallel with the A17, which helps nearby farmers.

Now it is autumn they have started clearing the leaves from the lay-by to make it safer for drivers to stop.

Deanne said: “Drivers are blamed for rubbish, but it is everybody, and the council have not got the resources or money to control it.

“We don’t do this to be recognised. We are committed to what we do and our main objective is keeping Sutton Bridge and Long Sutton clear.”

The couple are going to be thanked by councillors at a private function on Thursday, November 28.

COUNCILLORS WANT TO HELP

A councillor says he is trying to find a way to tackle fly-tipping.

Cllr Jack Tyrell, South Holland District Council’s portfolio holder for environmental services, has praised Andy and Deanne.

He has supported the couple from the start - covering insurance to safely litter-pick on the A17 between Sutton Bridge and Long Sutton - but recognises that the public feels the council should do more.

He said: "People think they work for the council but they don't.

"We went through the budget and the council hasn't got loads of money - it costs £80,000 per year to clear residents' rubbish.

"From our perspective the district will clear up what goes in council bins - but we don't litter pick.

"I am trying to find a solution."

The councillor is all for cameras in the lay-bys to monitor fly-tipping, but says there are complexities around this.

He said: "There are two councils - Lincolnshire County Council is responsible for the lay-bys and SHDC is responsible for the bins.

"If the public wanted the ten tyre bins to be replaced with a council bin there would likely only be one provided in one lay-by.

"If we provide that then something else is going to suffer - we won't have the toilets or look after grass. Things will be cut back in other areas.

"We can put cameras up but we have to notify that they are there."

The idea of vehicle registrations or telephone numbers being printed on fast food outlet receipts and heftier penalties for fly-tipping is also welcomed by Cllr Tyrell.

He also recognises the need for the public to take some responsibility for their rubbish.

Neighbouring Long Sutton used to have a Wombles group, and parish council chairman John Clarey has received complaints from people regarding the tyre bins.

He said: "The Wombles do a fantastic job and you can always see where they have been.

"I don’t think the Wombles should empty the bins with the variety of rubbish in them and that should be done by the council.

"As far as I know South Holland District Council should look after the rubbish bins in the lay-bys."



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