Anger and outrage as Northampton’s Abington Park covered in litter after sunny day and introduction of rule of six

Feelings of anger and disgust cloud Northampton this morning (March 31) as one of the town’s beauty spots was left covered in litter.

Yesterday (March 30), Abington Park was busy with people enjoying the sunshine and the chance to meet up with friends and family as lockdown restrictions have started to be lifted.

However, today the mood is very different as residents have realised - once again - how badly affected the park is by left -behind litter.

Photos of the litter have been posted several times on social media and in community groups and hundreds of people have commented sharing their disgust in how the park has been left.

Chris Calnan, who is part of a volunteer litter picking group which focuses on Abington Park, also realised last night how much litter would be left behind.

The volunteer organised his group and around 12 people met up this morning to collect litter, just as they did many times last summer.

Chris said: “It’s depressing.

“We got organised and picked a lot up so it will be all clear again, but it will be repeated again tonight.

“We do our best to educate people but it is always going to be with us. It’s very sad.

“Please respect the park and respect the visitors who love and enjoy using the park, as leaving the mess is really shameful.

“If you can bring in food and drink, you can take it out again when you have consumed it.”

The volunteers found a lot of beer related litter and laughing gas canisters. Chris is also expecting the return of littered disposable BBQs too.

Fitness company, Get Fit Today, runs sessions in the park and instructor Pete Gill was disgusted by what he found.

He said: “It’s really annoying to see how people treat the park. It’s disgusting.

“We’ve done litter picks there last summer and it looks like we might have to do the same again.”

Last year, Northampton Borough Council launched a #myparkisyourpark campaign educating people about not leaving behind litter and signposting bins.

It is hoped that the campaign can be continued this year and more can be done to try and discourage littering.

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