Stand with Eva! A junior Blackpool resident tackling dog fouling in her neighbourhood.

Eva Mawdsley, a resident of Blackpool, is determined to put an end to dog fouling in her area. The nine-year-old has grown tired of the inconvenience of stepping in dog mess while walking to school. Taking action, she reached out to her local Councillor, Paul Galley, with a proposal to install a bin between East Pines Drive and Sevenoaks Drive. Eva included a map indicating the ideal location for the bin in her correspondence, which prompted Councillor Galley to act swiftly and enlist Enveco’s help in inspecting the area.

Eva and her family, accompanied by a few of Enveco’s team members, Councillor Galley, and Councillor Cooper surveyed the neighbourhood. They quickly discovered if a bin was placed where suggested, it could result in obstructions to the pedestrians. Enveco’s officers and Eva devised a plan and marked the location with a Bag It, Bin It stencil. If the number of dog fouling incidents doesn’t decrease as a result of this, Enveco will re-evaluate the situation to see what other options there are.

It’s inspiring to witness a young member of the community demonstrate concern for the environment and take steps to resolve issues. We extend our gratitude to Eva and encourage her to remain in touch with us in the future.

Blackpool in Bloom is back and is being hosted by Enveco NW for the second year running!

Enveco are proud to host Blackpool In Bloom for their second year!

Applications are currently being accepted for this incredible opportunity to bring colour and beauty to the streets of Blackpool after a cold wet winter. It’s a chance to enhance the local area and cultivate a sense of beauty that everyone can appreciate. Best of all, you can get involved and enjoy the process! Enveco NW had an incredible experience collaborating with Elaine Smith MBE and Betty Bradford in passing the Blackpool in Bloom baton last year, as they had previously been in charge of the competition for many years. The collaboration proved to be an enormous success, serving to heighten civic pride.

Now, it’s time for another exciting round of judging, taking place over several days in the week commencing 1st July. Volunteers will be looking for the “most exquisite of displays” in nine categories, including private gardens small, medium, and large, hanging baskets, community gardens, and more. The judges will be looking for displays that catch their eye, such as those featuring water conservation, plant variety, vibrant colour schemes, and creative use of recycled items like pots.

Enveco’s NW Managing Director, John Hawkin said:

“Blackpool in Bloom is a fantastic initiative to encourage individuals, groups, and businesses to show off their inspirational gardening projects and add to the quality green spaces in the Town.”

Elaine Smith MBE said: 

“Blackpool in Bloom is the highlight of the year for the many wonderful gardeners that we have in Blackpool.   These people bring Civic pride to the town as well as making their homes and communities better places in which to live.  I am so proud of them.”

Download an application form today, by clicking this link, please return through the following options:

• Post: Blackpool Waste Services Ltd, Layton Depot, Plymouth Road, Blackpool, FY3 7HW
• Email: operations@enveconw.co.uk

Please note: Entry into the competition is restricted to addresses within the Blackpool Council boundary. Entries must be returned by Monday 27th of May 2024.

Enveco NW Environmental Services launches a new Keep Blackpool Tidy Campaign

The campaign has been adopted to encourage civic pride within Blackpool.

Enveco NW Environmental Services is a Blackpool Council wholly-owned company created to provide communities with proactive, responsive, and reliable environmental services across the town. Enveco has now expanded the Keep Blackpool Tidy ethos to build a sense of civic pride by encouraging residents to take the Keep Blackpool Tidy Pledge, provide more opportunities for volunteers to get involved in keeping the town clean and tidy, and make people aware of the fines that can be issued if an environmental offence is committed.

The launch of the campaign will see varied advertising around the town, such as:

• Eye-catching posters in street bins/Blackpool tram stops.
• Radio placements on the Greatest Hits and Fylde Coast Radio.
• An animation video on the Blackpool Transport bus TV screens, and Active Blackpool Gym TV screens.
• Engagement at local community events.

It starts with New Year 2024, with aspirations for more people to get Involved.

The overall goals are:

• Grow a sense of civic pride within the town.
• Encourage residents to take care of their street scene.
• Reduce the amount of fly-tipping, dog fouling, graffiti offences, and litter dropped in our town.
• Bring communities and Businesses together by establishing strong trusting links.
• See an increase in Blackpool’s recycling rate.
• See an overall improvement in the cleanliness of the town.

Enveco has a dedicated team that takes pride in keeping the town clean and tidy and is lucky to have a committed and valued volunteering community. This adds extra resources that enhance the normal operational services.

There are so many supportive residents and businesses already working with Enveco, by picking litter up, reporting street offenses such as graffitiing, littering, fly-tipping, reducing their waste, and recycling. But now… Enveco is determined to expand the duty to all. So, find out how you can get involved and learn more today by clicking this link.

Chair of Enveco NW Board and Deputy Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Adrian Hoyle said:

“Keeping Blackpool Tidy is the responsibility of everyone who lives, visits, and works in our town. Having a campaign that encourages civic pride, whilst educating on the ways to keep our town clean and tidy is a valued asset to have, one of which I am excited to be involved in.”

Cllr Paula Burdess, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Street Scene, and Neighbourhoods said:

“This campaign is designed to encourage all residents, visitors and businesses to do their bit to keep the town that we love clean and tidy. It can be simple actions such as always doing the right thing when disposing of rubbish or dog mess. But we are also appealing for people to go that one step further and help make a real difference through litter-picking, bulb planting, or even greening up an alleyway.”

Enveco NW wins Keep Britain Tidy Team/Crew of the Year Award

Enveco’s Household Waste Recycling Centre has won the Team/Crew of the Year Award at the Keep Britain Tidy Local Authority Network Awards 2024.

The win comes from the support given to the team regardless of background, gender, and ability. 20% of the team have a learning disability and include members who come from programmes such as Chance2Shine and Project Search. Young people with learning disabilities who are looking for work experience are welcomed by all the team. Work experience allows team members the opportunity to coach and share experiences, increasing their confidence and as a result has a positive outcome for their work ethic. The team have a ‘buddy system’ to support work placement programmes, and every team member is invested in helping and ensuring the young person develops to their full potential whilst working within the team.

Each year the HWRC team welcomes 3 or 4 Project Search interns and as a result has been able to offer paid employment to 3 interns, 2 of whom remain long-term employees and are valued members of the team. Patience, understanding and shared experiences allow the team to support the individual through what may be a very stressful experience. A former Chance2Shine attendee has been employed at the Household Waste Recycling Centre for more than 6 years.

The team are the foundation of Blackpool’s Household Waste Recycling Centre, which enables excellent service allowing Blackpool residents to recycle 7 days a week. The centre welcomes approximately 500 visits per day, and the staff offer advice and support to residents by assisting them to recycle many items and as much material as possible. The centre has a real buzz of positivity, and the team are always happy to help. The environment fosters the success of like-minded people.

Having the recognition of a renowned national environmental organisation is a huge achievement for the team. The Keep Britain Tidy Network Conference and Awards is dedicated to recognising and promoting excellence in local environmental initiatives and brings together more than 150 influential decision-makers from Local Authorities across England.

Out of around a hundred entries the environmental charity receives each year, just three local authorities are shortlisted in each category, so the competition is tough.

Chair of Enveco NW Board and Deputy Mayor of Blackpool, Councilor Adrian Hoyle said:

“What a fantastic achievement for the team at the Household Waste Recycling Centre to be recognised by such a renowned environmental body, the team make a big difference by creating a genuinely pleasant atmosphere and showcasing their willingness to assist.”

The Household Waste Recycling Centre Manager said:

“All the team at the Household Waste Recycling Centre are very proud to be recognised by the Keep Britain Tidy group. The opportunity to work alongside and coach the young people provides real job satisfaction.”

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive. Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said:

“Our Network Awards celebrate the most innovative campaigns and solutions developed by local authorities to tackle issues like litter, fly-tipping and dog fouling, often with the communities they serve. We hope that these fantastic initiatives will inspire others across the country to do the same.”

Join our Great British Spring Clean Litter-Picking Day!

In celebration of Keep Britain Tidy’s 70th anniversary and the relaunch of Keep Blackpool Tidy, Enveco is hosting a Litter-Picking day at the beautiful Stanley Park as part of the Great British Spring Clean.

The Great British Spring Clean is now back for its ninth year and is the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign, which will take place from 15th to 31st March. In previous years we have supported our volunteering communities, but this year, in addition we will be hosting our own Great British Spring Clean Litter-Picking day at Stanley Park, and we’d like to ask you to join us.

So, on the 28th March, you can find us in the Italian Gardens or near the Clock Tower from 10am to 2pm, where you will be able to collect bags and a litter picker, and if requested one of our engagement team will be happy to take you around the park to start litter picking. When you have finished your litter pick, there will be a chance to play litter bingo to win some fun prizes. All ages are welcome, however, children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

We hope to see you there. We also want to shout out about how fortunate we are to have such a strong volunteering community and we now have 157 volunteers reporting from regular groups – from parks, and community groups, to individuals and the total number of hours volunteers to date is 3,798.

Find out more about the Great British Spring Clean by clicking here or mark your attendance and share our event by clicking here.

Elaine Smith MBE and Betty Bradford hand over the Blackpool in Bloom Baton to Enveco!

Enveco NW, Blackpool’s environmental service provider for Blackpool Council, co-hosted the Blackpool in Bloom 2023 competition for the very first time!

With exceptional guidance and support from Elaine Smith MBE and Betty Bradford, as they prepared to hand over the baton.

Blackpool in Bloom allows Blackpool residents and businesses to compete in showcasing their beautiful outside spaces. It builds civic pride whilst making the appearance of the town appealing to residents and visitors alike.

It all started over 20 years ago by Cllr Kath Rowson and has since evolved into 11 categories of judging, capturing a wide range of community, businesses and home life in the town. The aim is to encourage more businesses and community groups to get involved and reveal their beautiful surroundings.

Elaine Smith MBE and Betty Bradford are incredible volunteers within the community. Elaine has been involved in Blackpool In Bloom for many years, which started when she competed in the competition in the mid-1990s and took over hosting in 2001. Betty Bradford and her late husband Danny Bradford first competed in 2007 before becoming judges in 2010.

Since they took over management, we have seen the creation of the award ceremony, the formation of friendships, and the addition of new categories to encourage more individuals and businesses to participate.

Elaine Smith MBE said

”I am delighted to be passing this competition onto Enveco, as they are an environmental company for Blackpool Council it feels like the right thing to do. Betty and I have been with the hosts from start to finish so I know we were able to hand this over the best way. The overall competition was a huge success and I look forward to having more time to enjoy it next year.”

This year, 37 open spaces were judged over the course of two days, through rain and shine. Elaine Smith and Diane Farley (Enveco’s Neighbourhood Officer) managed the route whilst four judges, Betty Bradford, Terry Mason, Tim Reilly, and Allan Wignall, judged the competition, as they have for many years sharing a wealth of knowledge. Jessica Christian (Enveco’s Marketing and Communications Officer) had the pleasure of capturing these beautiful spaces, and Andy Parr from the Blackpool Council transport team kindly drove the bus for the two days.

Each judge scored from 50 points – 10 for design, 10 for colour, 10 for impact, 10 for maintenance and 10 for overall impression – this is how they came to the winning decisions.

After two days of judging the numbers were in and the winners were chosen.

THE RESULTS

HOTELS & HOLIDAY FLATS (10 ROOMS OR LESS)

• Runner-up – Wayne and Peter Edwards from the Lawrence House Hotel
• Winner – Carole Cregan from the Clifton House Hotel

CLEAN AND GREEN STREET SCENE

• Winner – Stuart Reynolds, of back General Street

PUBS, RESTAURANTS AND LICENCED PREMISES

• Winner – Chris Bracegirdle, of the Boars Head

CORONATION THEMED GARDEN (ADDITIONAL CATEGORY)

• Runner-up – Charlotte Bremner and the team at William Lyon’s House
• Winner – Chris Varney

When visiting the Forget Me Not Dementia Café at the Marton United Reformed Church, the judges realised that this open space was something different to the other categories. The judges were so impressed by the safe garden space and the work being done that they decided to create the Memory Garden Award.

This open space means so much to the over 30 people from the group who have been tending to the Sensory Garden every week, come rain or shine and always with a smile.

MEMORY GARDEN (ADDITIONAL CATEGORY)

• Winner – Jenny Fitzsimmons from the Forget Me Not Dementia Café at the Marton United Reformed Church

After this unusually hot summer and now the wet weather, conservation is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Travelling through the judges realised that the categories did not do justice to some of the gardens, therefore they opted for a more appropriate category and introduced a private conservation category, with the following results.

PRIVATE CONSERVATION (ADDITIONAL CATEGORY)

• Runner-up – Ellen Chambers
• Winner – Neil Williams

CONSERVATION GARDENS

• Highly commended – Angela and the team at Belle Vue, Strawberry Gardens
• Runner-up – Holy Family Church
• Winner – Joseph Mori and the team at the Revoe Community Garden

COMMERCIAL OFFICES, SHOPS & FACTORIES

• Winner – Paul Preston and his team at the Household Waste Recycling Centre for the tree-lined pathway

HANGING BASKETS

• Highly acclaimed – Chris Varney
• Runner-up – Ian Brown
• Winner – Arthur Parry

SMALL PRIVATE GARDENS & BACK YARDS

• Outstanding effort – Mark and Julia Arnold, Paul Scandrett and James Grisedale
• Highly commended – Michael Smith
• Runner-up – Arthur Parry
• Winner – Howard Crump

MEDIUM PRIVATE GARDENS

• Highly commended – Michael Emsley
• Highly commended – Ian Brown
• Runner-up – Stephen Connolly
• Winner – Garry Tunnicliffe

LARGE PRIVATE GARDENS

• Highly commended – Jeannette Grierson
• Runner-up – Brian Gore
• Winner – Vivian Wallace-Dand

COMMUNITY GARDENS

• Outstanding effort – Abbeyfield House, Norbreck Road and Regent Court Apartments
• Highly commended – Layton Community House and Claremont Community Garden
• Runner-up – Abbeyfield House, Harrow Side
• Winner – Stanley Park Rose Garden

SPECIAL RECOGNITION (ADDITIONAL CATEGORY)

• Winner – Watson Road Secret Park

STREET IMPACT (ADDITIONAL CATEGORY)

• Winner – Robert Robson

To view all the beautiful open spaces, please click this link.

An award ceremony “fit for a king”

The award ceremony took place at the Winter Gardens, over 100 people attended, and each entrant received a certificate from Blackpool’s Worshipful Mayor, Cllr Gillian Campbell, and Mayoress, Sky Campbell. The winners and runners-up received newly designed trophies. Diane Farley of Enveco did a wonderful job hosting the event, with help from the Enveco crew, Elaine Smith and Betty Bradford.

John Blackledge, Director of Community and Environmental Services at Blackpool Council, John Paul Lovie, Head of Waste Management at Blackpool Council, and John Hawkin, Managing Director at Enveco all attended the event and spoke with the competition entrants.

The event was a huge success with Enveco being supported by Blackpool Council and the Winter Gardens which of course helped make it as special as it was.

Managing Director, John Hawkin said

“Blackpool in Bloom is a fantastic initiative to encourage individuals, groups and businesses to show off their inspirational gardening projects and add to the quality green spaces in the Town.”

Join Blackpool in Bloom 2024, email your interest to marketing@enveconw.co.uk and nearer the time you will be sent an application form.

Let’s make sure we have a blooming 2024 in Blackpool!

To view the images of the Award Ceremony, please click this link.

Enveco celebrates Love Parks Week

Love Parks Week returns from 28 July to 6 August 2023

Enveco NW Environmental Services is proud to shout out about the wonderful 96 parks, green and open spaces within Blackpool, which their Grounds maintenance team maintain on behalf of Blackpool Council.

These spaces range from pocket parks to the regionally significant grade II listed Stanley Park – Along with sports pitches, playgrounds, ecological sites, all-weather play services, and highway verges.

Enveco’s Grounds Maintenance, Parks & Green Open Space Manager, said

“We have a small, yet committed team of skilled grounds maintenance operatives and gardeners who take pride in the maintenance of the Parks & Green Open Spaces across the Borough. Our team is supported in a shared goal of maintaining the Parks & Green Open spaces such as the award-winning Grade II Listed Stanley Park – alongside our Council partners and highly valued and committed Friends Groups and volunteers”.

It’s true that Blackpool has some beautiful parks and green open spaces, which Enveco takes pride in taking care of for Blackpool residents and visitors to enjoy.

According to mind.org spending time in nature has many physical and mental benefits such as:

• improves your mood
• reduces feelings of stress or anger
• helps you take time out and feel more relaxed
• improves your physical health
• improves your confidence and self-esteem
• helps you be more active
• helps you meet and get to know new people
• connects you to your local community
• reduces loneliness
• helps you feel more connected to nature

Our parks offer so much to us, and not only is being in nature proven to be good for you, but it’s a great space for children, and our pets to explore, have buckets of fun, grow, and bond. So, Love Parks Week is important to Enveco and they encourage everyone to celebrate and support the efforts of volunteers and workers up and down the country to maintain and protect our green spaces.

Explore a local park today, use this link to discover Blackpool’s Parks, green and open spaces.

Events:

Why not get involved?

The friends of Stanley Park, Rangers, Active Blackpool and Enveco NW Environmental Services have come together to create some wonderful Love Parks Week activities this year, don’t miss out, there will be fun for all ages. Activities will be free to attend, however all children must be accompanied by an adult.

• Multi Sports with Active Blackpool
• Mini Beast Hunt and Pond Dipping with Blackpool Park Rangers

• Pirate Adventure Wide Game with Blackpool Park Rangers and Friends of Stanley Park
• Tower building workshop with Showtown

• Multi Sports with Active Blackpool
• Cycling and Eco event with Active Blackpool, Enveco, Blackpool Police and Blackpool Park Rangers

• Pirate Adventure Wide Game with Blackpool Park Rangers and Friends of Stanley Park
• Bike coding with Blackpool Police

• Circus workshop with Blackpool Circus
• Cricket at Blackpool Cricket Club