44 Years in Bloom: Tris’ Journey in Blackpool’s Parks

This July marks an incredible milestone for Tris

44 years of dedicated service, with a story that’s deeply rooted in family, community, and a passion for the outdoors. We have had the pleasure of catching up with Tris before he retires this April.

Tris’ connection to grounds maintenance runs through generations. His grandad worked in the parks back in the 1950s, and his dad followed in 1955, starting as a gardener and then went on to dedicate 36 years of service. Retiring as an area foreman at just 52, setting a strong example of commitment and pride in the job. It’s safe to say it runs in the family.

At just 19 years old, Tris completed an apprenticeship, the beginning of a career that would span more than four decades. One of his earliest roles was in Stanley Park, working on the iconic carpet bedding displays. This wasn’t small-scale work either; it involved planting around 12,000 individual plants to create the famous floral clock.

A role soon opened up for a year-round gardener, and Tris stepped up. At the young age of 21, Tris flourished as a chargehand gardener at Anchorsholme Park in 1986, where he managed 4 staff and an apprentice for 5 years.

In January 1992, Tris returned to Stanley Park as a year-round gardener — a place that would become central to his career for over two decades. One of his proudest achievements was taking charge of the park. Leading a team of 8–9 staff, Tris oversaw the maintenance of extensive flower beds and around 75,000 bedding plants, all grown in greenhouses before being planted out. His time there also helped shape the next generation, supporting countless apprentices starting out in the industry.

In 2014, Tris moved into the South Mobile team, where he continued to work until his retirement. Over the years, his responsibilities have included maintaining bowling greens across eight parks, working in key locations like Central Drive and Starr Gate, and caring for well-loved green spaces, including Highfield Park.

For Tris, the job has always been about more than just the work. He’s built lifelong friendships, including colleagues who started on the very same day as him and are still working alongside him now.

His best memory is taking charge of Stanley Park and leading a team to maintain its floral displays. What he will miss the most is mowing the bowling greens, a job that requires precision and care. His biggest frustration is littering and vandalism, something that undermines the spaces he has spent decades maintaining.

When asked to sum up his career in one word, Tris chose “Outdoors.” For him, it has never just been a job; it has been a life spent outside, making a difference and building friendships along the way.

Thank you for everything, Tris.

We wish you a very happy retirement. 

 

Multi-Agency Operation Targets Waste Crime and Vehicle Offences in Blackpool

A successful multi-agency enforcement operation in Blackpool is helping to tackle waste crime, unsafe vehicles and wider environmental offences as partners work together to keep the town safe and clean.

Led by the Environmental Protection team at Blackpool Council, the initiative, known as Operation Haven, brings together officers from Enveco NW, Police, Licensing teams, and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

The operation took place four times at a key gateway into the town on Yeadon Way, where Police have the authority to safely stop passing vehicles. From there, each agency carries out checks relating to its area of expertise, ensuring drivers, vehicles and businesses operating in Blackpool are compliant with the law.

During the operation, Environmental Protection officers and Enveco NW staff conduct checks on waste carriers, ensuring they hold the correct documentation, such as waste transfer notes. This helps identify illegal waste activity and reduces the risk of fly-tipping across the borough.

Meanwhile, police officers carry out drink and drug driving tests and check vehicles for insurance, tax and licensing offences. DVSA inspectors assess larger vehicles such as goods wagons to ensure they meet safety and compliance standards.

Across four action days, officers have stopped and checked 259 vehicles, including:

  • 117 taxis and private hire vehicles
  • 22 light goods vehicles (LGVs)
  • 8 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)
  • A range of transit vans and cars

The operation recorded 71 offences, resulting in:

  • 3 arrests
  • 6 vehicles seized (including 3 linked to waste carriers)

Offences detected included overweight vehicles, bald tyres, driving without a licence, insurance or tax, and driving while impaired by drink or drugs.

In addition, more than 52 drivers received advice about waste carrier paperwork, helping improve compliance and prevent environmental crime. Eight fixed penalty notices were issued by Enveco NW officers relating to waste offences.

During one stop, officers also intercepted two vehicles arriving from Romania carrying prescription drugs and unregulated food products, all of which were seized.

Separate partnership work between Environmental Protection, parking services and the Police has also seen 40 vehicles seized to date under DVLA enforcement activity. Officers have removed 30 vehicles under Section 99 powers, and, working with highways partners, 12 caravans have also been removed from the highway.

In a further development, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are now authorised to issue Section 99 removals and Section 59 warnings, powers that allow vehicles causing alarm, distress or annoyance to be stopped, seized and removed. This has already helped tackle vehicles being dumped or stored on residential streets by local garages.

Enveco’s Street Cleansing Operations Manager Craig Burns said:
“Illegal waste activity often leads directly to fly-tipping, which damages communities and costs resident’s money to clean up. By checking waste carriers and providing advice about the correct paperwork, we’re helping ensure waste is handled responsibly and preventing environmental crime before it happens.”

Watch the full interview with one of Enveco NEAT officers, Police and Environmental Protection: joint operation on a very wet October day in Blackpool, HERE. 

 

Bulky waste collection service rebranded

From the start of April 2026, residents across Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde will be able to receive Enveco’s Bulky Waste Collection service following a change in service management, with the service entering an exciting new chapter.

The Bulky Waste Collection service, previously known as Bulky Matters, is transferring to Enveco NW, and will be rebranded as Bulky Waste Collections. The change introduces a refreshed and more vibrant look for the service, while maintaining the same practical, resident-focused approach.

All existing Bulky Matters staff will transfer across to Enveco NW under TUPE arrangements, ensuring continuity of experience, local knowledge and customer care. Residents can be reassured that collections will continue as normal, with no disruption to the service. Residents are encouraged to continue booking bulky waste collections through their local council websites and customer service teams.

The newly branded Bulky Waste Collections service will be available to residents in Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde. This marks the first residential-focused operational service, delivered by Enveco NW in Wyre and Fylde, expanding the organisation’s environmental services beyond Blackpool.

Enveco’s Chair of the board, Cllr Adrian Hoyle, Armed Forces Champion for Blackpool Council, said:

“We’re proud to be expanding our residential services into Wyre and Fylde for the first time and to be welcoming experienced staff into the Enveco team. Our focus remains on delivering a dependable, resident-friendly service and maximising reuse and recycling wherever possible.”

Councillor Jane Hugo – Deputy Leader of the Council (Place) and Cabinet Member for Climate Change at Blackpool Council said:

“This is an established service that has already made a real difference in helping residents dispose of bulky household items safely and responsibly, so it’s great to see it expand.

“Together, we’re committed to making it simple and convenient for residents to dispose of bulky household items safely and responsibly.

“This service not only helps keep our neighbourhoods clean, but also supports efforts to reuse items wherever possible, reducing waste and benefiting the wider community.”

Fylde Councillor Michelle Morris, Lead Member for Customer and Operational Services:

“Bulky Waste Collections is a service our residents already know, and value, and this vibrant new look gives it a modern feel while keeping everything they love about it. Whether you need to dispose of an old sofa or mattress, a fridge, or worn-out flooring, it’s a stress-free, responsible way to do it – simply book through the Council, and we’ll take care of the rest. I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t used the service before to give it a try.” 

Councillor Simon Bridge, Portfolio Holder for Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces at Wyre Council, said:

“A reliable bulky waste service is vital for our communities, giving residents a safe and straightforward way to dispose of large household items while helping to prevent fly tipping and keeping our neighbourhoods clean and welcoming. We’re pleased to move forward with a new service, and by joining forces with Blackpool and Fylde, we can deliver a smooth and dependable offer that residents can trust, supporting greater reuse and recycling and reducing what ends up in landfill. This new arrangement also supports our Council Plan priority of creating a cleaner, greener and more sustainable place. By improving how bulky waste is collected and processed, we are helping to look after our town centres, protect our environment, and build pride in our borough.”

Learn more – Bulky Waste Collections

Enveco, Tree Wardens and Community Volunteers Team Up to Care for Trees at Mossom Field

On Wednesday 11 March, volunteers and local teams came together at Mossom Field on Mossom Lane for a morning of environmental improvement work, helping remove old tree stakes and guards that had been left in place for many years.

Around 15 years ago, plastic guards and stakes were installed to protect young trees while they established themselves. However, the company responsible for the original work ceased operating around 2015, meaning many of the guards were never removed. Over time, these have become unfit for purpose and can restrict tree growth.

The focus of the session, which ran from 9.30am until midday, was to remove as many guards as possible, so the trees can continue to grow freely. The plastic guards will be responsibly disposed of, while any chestnut stakes still in good condition will be taken to Stanley Park, where they may be reused during the park’s upcoming Centenary celebrations, for example, as way markers.

The event brought together colleagues from across the Enveco team, from senior leaders to members of the street cleansing and grounds maintenance teams, alongside volunteers from Keep Blackpool Tidy and the volunteer tree wardens. Some of the work had already begun last year with the help of DWP volunteers, but there was still plenty left to do.

Diane Farley, Enveco’s Neighbourhood Officer, who organised the event, added:

“It was great to see such a positive turnout. These kinds of activities make a real difference to the health of our trees and show how much people care about their local environment.”

Norbreck Ward Councillor Julie Sloman said:

“It’s fantastic to see residents, volunteers and council teams working together to care for our green spaces. Small actions like this help ensure our trees continue to thrive for years to come. I really do want to thank everyone involved.”

By the end of the morning, volunteers had removed a large number of guards, helping ensure the trees at Mossom Field can continue to grow strong and healthy.

Take a look at all the images of the day HERE. 

Enveco Hosts Their Second Volunteer Thank You Event to Celebrate Blackpool’s Volunteers

On Thursday, 26th February 2026, Enveco proudly hosted its second Volunteer Thank You Event at the fantastic Blackpool Football Club. The purpose of the day was simple but incredibly important — to say thank you to the individuals who generously give their time to help keep Blackpool tidy.

Enveco’s 250 dedicated employees work across a wide range of services that support the town every day. These include Parks and Grounds Maintenance, Street Cleansing, Domestic and Commercial Waste Collection, Fleet Maintenance for Blackpool Council and Enveco, Pest Control, Building Cleaning, and managing the Household Waste Recycling Centre (the tip), alongside their professional office-based support team.

However, the volunteers celebrated at this event play a vital role alongside these services, contributing their time, energy and pride to help keep our community clean and welcoming.

A Day of Celebration and Recognition

The event began with a presentation from Enveco’s Neighbourhood Officer, Diane Farley, who has worked for the Council for nearly 44 years. Diane is an integral part of the volunteering network, supporting local litter pickers and community groups, and her passion and dedication were clear to everyone in the room, along with the full team who helped make the day such a big success.

Guests were then treated to a special talk from former police officer Mike Barton, now a volunteer at Jubilee Gardens. Mike spoke about the importance of volunteering, not only for the community but for personal health and wellbeing. He shared insights from his time in the police force and reflected on how volunteering continues to give him purpose and connection.

Enveco’s Marketing and Communication officer came on to speak about some of the exciting events planned and an update on the future waste changes.

Celebrating 2,475 Volunteer Hours from 2024/25

A key highlight of the presentation was the recognition of the incredible number of hours contributed by volunteers, just under 2,500 hours during 2024/25 alone. This remarkable commitment demonstrates the strength of community spirit across Blackpool.

The event also marked the exciting introduction of a brand-new Volunteer Pack. The pack includes everything volunteers need to know, including key guidance, dos and don’ts, and details on how to log their hours.

Another important reveal was the launch of the new Keep Blackpool Tidy (KBT) volunteering bags. The bags are now white and feature a KBT sticker to clearly show that the rubbish has been collected by a KBT volunteer. This change helps Enveco teams easily distinguish between volunteer-collected waste and fly-tipping, ensuring bags are collected quickly and efficiently.

Following the event, guests were invited to enjoy a guided tour of Blackpool Football Club, a fantastic opportunity to explore the venue.

Honoured Guests

The event was attended by several special guests, including:

  • Councillor Lynn Williams – Leader of the Council (overall strategic leadership and corporate portfolio oversight).
  • Councillor Jane Hugo – Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Climate Change.
  • Councillor Mark Wilshaw – Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety (alongside his role as Board Member at Enveco Ltd).
  • Elaine Smith MBE
  • Blackpool in Bloom judges Betty Bradford, Judi Brown and Tim Riley

They were joined by members of Enveco’s Leadership Team, including Finance Director Paul Whitehead and Policy and Performance Director Paula Ramsay, as well as members of the Enveco team who worked hard to make the day what it was.

Guests also had the opportunity to step into the spotlight, sharing their appreciation and reflections on the importance of volunteering in Blackpool.

Thank You

The event was a true celebration of community spirit. Volunteers are at the heart of ‘Keeping Blackpool Tidy’, and their contribution makes a visible and lasting difference to the town.

Enveco would like to once again say a heartfelt thank you to every volunteer who continues to make Blackpool a cleaner, greener and prouder place to live and visit. Along with a big thank you to the Blackpool Football Club for their outstanding service two years in a row.

Enveco looks forward to continuing its collaboration with volunteers and residents to ‘Keep Blackpool Tidy’, and from our team, we want to say a big THANK YOU for all you do!

Take a look at the pictures from the afternoon by clicking HERE. 

Enveco NW Hosts Their First-Ever Thank You Event to Celebrate Blackpool’s Volunteers

On Wednesday, 26 February 2025, Enveco NW hosted their first “Thank You” event at the Blackpool Football Club, celebrating the selfless volunteers who dedicate their time to ‘Keeping Blackpool Tidy’. Over 140 attendees gathered for an afternoon of recognition and appreciation.

Enveco’s 250 dedicated employees work across a range of services. These include Parks and Grounds Maintenance, Street Cleansing, Domestic and Commercial Waste Collection, Blackpool Council and Enveco’s Fleet Maintenance, Pest Control, Building Cleaning, and the management of the Household Waste Recycling Centre (tip). The volunteers who were celebrated at the event play a vital role in ‘Keeping Blackpool Tidy’.

The afternoon began with a presentation showcasing images of volunteers in action—picking up litter, maintaining public spaces, and supporting local initiatives. Diane Farley, Enveco’s Neighborhood Officer, took the stage to express her gratitude to the volunteers for their continuous efforts. She was joined by the Chair of Enveco’s Board, Councillor Adrian Hoyle, who also offered heartfelt thanks, underscoring the vital role that volunteers play.

A memorable highlight was the first appearance of Enveco’s Keep Blackpool Tidy Mascot. The mascot, which promotes responsible waste disposal, was well-received by the crowd, adding a fun and engaging touch to the afternoon. The mascot’s debut was a perfect symbol of Enveco’s efforts to combine education, community involvement, and environmental stewardship.

As part of the celebration, attendees were treated to a tour of the Blackpool Football Club grounds. This special tour was a bonus for everyone, allowing them to connect further with the town’s local culture and landmarks.

This event was a reminder of the power of community engagement. The volunteers’ hard work is essential to adding sparkle to the town.

Enveco’s Managing Director, John Hawkin, said: “We are deeply grateful to all our volunteers for their commitment to ‘Keeping Blackpool Tidy’. This event was a way of showing our appreciation and celebrating their efforts”.

Enveco looks forward to continuing its collaboration with volunteers and residents to ‘Keep Blackpool Tidy’ and from our team we want to say a big THANK YOU for all you do!

Take a look at the pictures from the afternoon by clicking HERE. 

Conclusion of the 2024/25 Bag It, Bin It Campaign

Continuing the Fight Against Dog Fouling in Blackpool: Bag It, Bin It Campaign 2024/2025

As we conclude the second year of the Bag It, Bin It campaign, we reflect on the progress made in addressing the ongoing issue of dog fouling across Blackpool. Launched in partnership with Blackpool Council, the campaign has raised awareness, encouraged responsible dog ownership, and made significant strides in improving community engagement. The team’s continued focus on tackling dog fouling, especially during the darker months when incidents tend to rise, has shown meaningful results.

This year, 502 stencils were deployed throughout the town, reminding dog owners to “Bag It, Bin It,” while over 150 posters were placed in key locations to further reinforce the message. In addition to these visible reminders, we saw a remarkable increase in community participation. Over 500 ‘you have done the right thing’ cards were distributed, giving the responsible dog walkers a chance to enter a competition. The number of cards uploaded online rose to 101, an impressive increase from the previous year.

These efforts reflect a significant uptake in engagement, demonstrating that residents are becoming more mindful of their responsibilities when walking dogs. 3 warnings were issued this year, highlighting our commitment to educating the public and ensuring compliance. While the number of penalties remained low, this aligns with the intention to foster a culture of responsibility rather than relying on punitive measures.

The “Do the Right Thing” competition returned this year to reward responsible dog walkers. Winners are celebrated each month, receiving prizes such as a month’s supply of dog food. The competition not only acknowledges responsible behavior but also helps to inspire others to follow suit.

The challenge remains in continuing to educate and raise awareness. To that end, we continue to use street stencils as a visible tool to reinforce the campaign’s message and encourage responsible dog ownership.

As we wrap up the 2024/2025 campaign, we are proud of the progress made. The success of Bag It, Bin It reflects the power of community collaboration. While there’s still work to be done, we remain committed to reducing dog fouling and maintaining clean streets in Blackpool. By working together, we can continue to “Bag It, Bin It” and create a cleaner, safer environment for everyone.

Project Bags to Bins!

Enveco is committed to mitigating the use of red sacks where possible with project Bags to Bins!

Enveco NW environmental services’ key objectives are to deliver innovative approaches to reduce waste, support reuse, and increase the town’s recycling rate. Along with being a trusted local employer that contributes to the local economy, cares for the local environment, and delivers on climate change improvements whilst working towards keeping Blackpool tidy for residents, businesses, and visitors to enjoy.

One of the numerous projects Enveco implements is the process of providing households with bins when they previously used sacks – this is known as project Bags to Bins.

The bags-to-bins process is where Enveco’s Environment Educational Officer reviews reported areas within the town to understand why these residents don’t have access to a bin.  There are a variety of reasons why this occurs. For example, households may not have been issued private wheeled bins or communal euro bins; there may not be a suitable space for the bins to be stored or presented, such as no boundary space outside the property; or the alleyway may be unsuitable for the wagons to drive near.

Following the area review, if the Environment Educational Officer believes bins will be suitable for the residences, a second assessment is performed with the Domestic Waste Supervisor, who looks at collection logistics.

If it is in the best interest of properties to make the switch from Bags to Bins in that specific area, a letter will be sent to the property giving at least two weeks’ notice of when the bins will be delivered; normal bag collections will continue until the bins are delivered, as stated on the letter; bins are normally delivered within the same week as the new waste collection. The grey-lidded bin is always the first to be collected. The delivery will include a grey and blue bin, and recycling sack, as well as literature informing residents of collection days and other important information. If a property of multiple occupancy is receiving a euro bin the letter will include a map of where the bin is kept.

The goal of this approach is to encourage residents to recycle, reduce waste on the streets caused by torn bags, and improve the overall aesthetic appeal of the town.

Enveco successfully transferred 590 properties from Bags to Bins from June 2022 to July 2023. The benefit seen is that streets are cleaner, and residents are more positive as a result of having the ability to recycle, which encourages civic pride within the Town.

There are occasions after investigation, it is determined that bins would not be suitable for residents for reasons such as insufficient storage space for wheeled bins, the presentation ground being unsuitable for the bins to be wheeled across, resulting in damaged ground and wheels, or the presentation area being unsuitable for wagons to collect, due to tight road size, etc.

If properties are not suitable for wheeled bins, Seagull-proof sacks are an alternate approach to keep wildlife from tearing sacks open. These large black sacks hold three red sacks, fasten with Velcro, and allow households to put out these bags the night before collection with the peace of knowledge that their waste would be safe until the next day’s collection.

If you would like Enveco to consider your area for wheeled bins, bags, or Seagull-proof sacks, simply email: recycling@enveconw.co.uk.