Wanted...volunteer 'snow wardens' in Oakwood
A SUBURB is harnessing community spirit to help keep its roads and pavements clear of snow and ice this winter.
Householders in Oakwood are being recruited to become "snow wardens" who will spread salt grit during bad weather.
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Spreading the grit is Councillor Mick Barker, who is leading the campaign.
The scheme, called Oakwood Winter Welfare, offers residents a free bag of grit to help them and their neighbours cope with frozen footpaths and roads.
Shovels and bags of grit were handed to residents last winter by the neighbourhood board.
FREE SMALL NAIL GLUE WHEN YOU BUY A PACK OF KISS NAILS. PRICES START FROM £1.99 FOR 20 NAILS.
Terms: ONE GLUE PER TRANSACTIONS
Contact: 01332 418268
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
But this year, the scheme is being boosted and the board is asking residents whether they would be willing to act as snow wardens and have a supply of grit at their homes which would be available for others to use as well as help spread it during the icy weather.
Councillor Mick Barker said: "Having started the scheme last year, we soon realised it was very popular.
"This year we decided to take it up a stage and we are encouraging people to become snow wardens and help others.
"It is a very positive scheme for the community and we are always keen for people to work together and build on community spirit."
The grit will be stored at the Oak and Acorn pub in Oakwood and will be distributed to households by Councillor Barker, Councillor Frank Harwood and Councillor Robin Wood.
If residents are not able to act as snow wardens there is the option to store grit on their property for others to use.
Residents can also request a bag of free grit to help clear ice and snow where they live.
Ken Gillman, 80, of Edwinstowe Road, in Oakwood said he thought the scheme was a "brilliant" idea and would be asking for a bag of grit.
He said: "I'm desperate to have a grit bin on our road, so this is a step forward.
"In the winter the road is very slippy.
"There are a lot of people that live on the road but cannot get down it when it's icy."
Another resident, Derek Golson, who lives in Porters Lane, said he began a scheme similar to this many years ago. He said: "We decided that if each house in the area contributed £1 we could buy extra grit.
"We buy it in the summer so it is cheaper.
"It has been successful so far and we've had this running for three or four years now.
"It helps increase community spirit as people are working together. If more people adopt the idea and get on board then the better it will be during the winter weather in Oakwood."
To become involved in the scheme, residents are being asked to contact one of the Oakwood councillors and provide their address and contact details.
Comments
by ianshelton
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 10:04AM
“The same thought crossed my mind ; you try & do a good deed & there's always someone ready to complain or prosecute. .... sadly the days of doing 'good deeds' have passed, the risks are too great. If I was granted legal protection & support in event of any slipping 'incidents' fine, otherwise I'd not touch this with a snow plough.”
by Wulfram
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 9:02AM
“On the face of it, this sounds like a brilliant idea - but has anyone consulted the Council's legal advisers and/or insurers. What would the consequences be if a resident fell on a part that hadn't been treated - who would be at fault there. Having been subjected to far too much 'day time TV' over the past few days I know from all the adverts that many people make a lot of money from 'accidents'”