Tidy Our Town was launched by the Chronicle & Echo in collaboration with the Northants Litter Wombles in February 2024 and remains ongoing as my fourth campaign. Through regular stories, we raise awareness of littering and fly tipping issues across the town - and shine a light on the positive work of those fighting against it. Shortlisted for Campaign of the Year at the Midlands Media Awards 2025.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Resident photographs dead rat among litter and fly tipping in ‘disgusting’ neighbourhood

A fed up resident captured a photograph of a dead rat among the litter and fly tipping in what she describes as a “disgusting” and "embarrassing" Northampton neighbourhood. Tia Cottingham has lived in Elizabeth Walk since 2011. The 37-year-old was born and bred in Northampton and has lived in the area of her current home for almost two decades.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Here’s why 2026 is the perfect time for you to join the Northants Litter Wombles

Here’s why 2026 is the perfect time for you to join the Northants Litter Wombles and contribute to their aim of making the county a better place to live, work and visit. It is nearing two years since the Chronicle & Echo launched Tidy Our Town in collaboration with the Northants Litter Wombles, with the goal of raising awareness of the drastic change needed and celebrating those fighting to make it happen.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: How far has Northampton come in tackling the littering and fly tipping epidemic in 2025?

As 2025 draws to a close, we are reflecting on how far Northampton has come in tackling the littering and fly tipping epidemic over the past 12 months – and what needs to be done to make further progress in 2026. This newspaper’s Tidy Our Town campaign launched in collaboration with the Northants Litter Wombles in February 2024, with the aim of raising awareness of the drastic change needed for the greater good of Northampton and celebrating those fighting to make it happen.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: WNC cabinet member praises booking-only tip system as ‘a step in the right direction’

In the first instalment of the Tidy Our Town campaign with West Northamptonshire Council, a cabinet member has praised the upcoming booking-only tip system as “a step in the right direction”. Councillor Nigel Stansfield was appointed cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste after Reform took control of West Northamptonshire Council in May.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Resident of half a decade ‘fed up’ of recurring ‘disgusting’ fly tips in hotspot area

A resident, who has lived in a hotspot area of Northampton for more than half a decade, says he is “fed up” of recurring fly tips and described them as “disgusting” and “a complete joke”. Derek Speck has lived in Alliston Gardens for around five-and-a-half years and says he wakes up to new fly tips every morning in his area of Semilong.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Meet the award-nominated volunteer working hard to clear Northampton’s waterways

Meet the award-nominated volunteer who has worked hard for more than a decade to clear Northampton’s waterways for the benefit of the community. Dave Jordan, known by the name as Sonik for his standout blue hair, began litter picking around 13 years ago when he noticed a number of trolleys, bikes and other bulky items in the town’s waterways.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: We should be more grateful for the Northants Litter Wombles and all they do for our county

To conclude our week of daily Tidy Our Town coverage, it is time to discuss why we should be more grateful for the Northants Litter Wombles and all they do for our county. This newspaper has now been collaborating with the Northants Litter Wombles for more than a year-and-a-half, and each story opens our eyes further to the good people around us.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Formerly disgusted resident praises ‘some improvements’ to her hotspot area

A resident of more than four decades, who previously shared her disgust at the lack of respect for her area, has praised some improvements during recent months. It was back in February when Helene Kluger-Langer first spoke to the Chronicle & Echo as part of the Tidy Our Town campaign, and she now believes things are starting to look up seven months on.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Wombles to thank for clearing the streets ahead of Women’s Rugby World Cup arrival

To kickstart a week of daily Tidy Our Town coverage, we are acknowledging the work done by the Northants Litter Wombles to prepare for the arrival of the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Rugby fever has well and truly taken over Northampton as Franklin’s Gardens is hosting a number of matches throughout the tournament – and it was important to get the town ready for an influx of visitors and fans.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: ‘Using recycling bags over boxes has already reduced litter levels in our hotspot area’

West Northamptonshire is in the midst of a time of change, and I will continue to hold my breath as to what can be done to minimise littering and fly tipping and support the work of volunteers. It was more than two months ago when Reform took over the running of West Northamptonshire Council, and our most recent Tidy Our Town story saw a Northants Litter Womble share his first impressions of the new administration.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Volunteer praises ‘proactive’ Reform cabinet member and hopes WNC don’t face ‘uphill struggle’

A Northants Litter Womble has praised a West Northamptonshire Council cabinet member as “proactive” and shared his hope that the local authority does not face an “uphill struggle”. Volunteer Mark Watson said that Councillor Nigel Stansfield, the new cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste, reached out to the Northants Litter Wombles and organised a three-hour meeting to discuss the issues of littering and fly tipping.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: ‘I am disgusted at the little respect,’ says resident of more than four decades

A long-standing resident, who has lived on her street for more than four decades, has once again expressed her disgust at the little respect that those who litter and fly tip have for the community. It was back in February when Helene Kluger-Langer first spoke to the Chronicle & Echo as part of the Tidy Our Town campaign, and she believes the situation has not improved four months on.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: ‘The services are there but they are not appropriate to the needs across Northampton’

Two charity representatives have spoken out about the levels of littering and fly tipping in their area, and what they would like to see across Northampton as the town enters a period of change. In the latest instalment of the Tidy Our Town campaign, CEO Louise Danielczuk and trustee Carolyn Long from Growing Together Northampton spoke to the Chronicle & Echo.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo •

Tidy Our Town: Meet the councillor who helped get a Deposit Return Scheme machine in Northampton

Meet the councillor who helped to get a Deposit Return Scheme machine installed in Northampton for the first time, who is the latest to join the Tidy Our Town campaign. The reverse vending machine was placed at the University of Northampton at the end of February, as a collaboration between the Northants Litter Wombles, installer Trovr and the University.
Northampton Chronicle and Echo •

Tidy Our Town: West Northants Labour leader believes collaboration is key in tackling littering and fly tipping

The leader of the West Northants Labour Group believes collaboration is key in tackling the issue of littering and fly tipping across the county, and she is keen to see more of it moving forward. Councillor Wendy Randall, who is the Labour representative for Daventry West, is the latest to speak to the Chronicle & Echo as part of the Tidy Our Town campaign.
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