Last night’s group session didn’t quite go to plan… at least not the group part of it.

With no one signed up, I (Rowan) embraced the solo spirit and headed out on a lone plogging adventure around Bolton.

I started by running up to Queen’s Park in search of one of the brilliant Volunteer Vaults positioned in the car park. If you haven’t come across these before, they’re secure boxes stocked with litter pickers, bags, and other tools that anyone can use to help tidy the area. They’re a brilliant, accessible way to empower people to take care of their parks and green spaces. A veritable treasure chest for community action!

With my bin bag in hand, I made my way back towards Bolton picking up absolutely every bit of litter I could spot in the dark. And there was plenty. My route took me past Bolton Hospice, Bolton Lads & Girls Club, St Paul’s Church, Bolton General Practice, and finally Bolton Central Fire Station, stopping at each to grab cans, bottles, wrappers, and everything in between.

And as I went, I found myself thinking about something I’ve believed for a long time:

*people don’t drop litter where there isn’t any litter. *A clean space tends to stay clean; a messy space seems to attract more mess. So even one person, spending one hour, filling one bag, can help set a different tone for the whole community.

By the time I reached Bolton One, that one person (me!), one big bag of litter, and one determined plog had made a tidy difference to one stretch of road through town.

Here’s to next week - hopefully with some GoodGymers signed up!