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New Litter Awards to recognise local environmental heroes

Tuesday, 14 April 2026 09:06

Litter Free Ilkley are one of nine groups involved in the new Thomas Black Local Litter Awards

The new Thomas Black Local Litter Awards aim to recognise volunteers, groups and businesses improving our local environment and celebrate efforts in litter clearing, conservation and community engagement.

Nine Litter-Free groups covering Ilkley, Silsden, Addingham, Keighley, Denton, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Menston, Guiseley and Baildon have joined forces to highlight the invaluable work undertaken over the last year, and acknowledge the efforts of their volunteers contributing quietly and consistently behind the scenes.

The Awards were an idea of litter pickers, Moo Ping Vivienne Boey and Abbey Vale, and following discussions with the eight other groups, a Local Litter Leaders Group was formed.

The Awards are sponsored by Thomas Black, Ilkley resident and former Joint Chairman of the Keighley-based Peter Black Holdings, who has been litter picking local rural lanes for over 20 years. Thomas has produced many short anti-litter films which have gone viral.

The Awards link to national mass-action environmental campaigns promoted by Keep Britain Tidy, The Great British Spring Clean and Great Big School Clean.

Litter Free Ilkley will host the Thomas Black Local Litter Awards at Ilkley Bandstand after the April Community Litter Pick on Sunday 26th April. Music and refreshments will start at midday with gifted Leeds musician Katie Gittins singing a special Wombling song. The Awards will be presented by Ilkley MP Robbie Moore from 12.30pm.

Winners will receive an environmentally friendly solid glass trophy, a certificate and a small monetary gift of £50.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Awards and to join in the April Community Litter Pick meeting at the Ilkley Bandstand at 10.45am.

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