NINE local Litter Free groups have joined forces to highlight the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers, groups and businesses to improve the local environment through litter clearing, conservation and community engagement.

Covering Keighley, Silsden, Addingham, Ilkley, Denton, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Menston, Guiseley and Baildon, over the last year these groups have collected 7,372 bags of litter and over 1,400 nitrous oxide canisters, as well as reporting fly tipping and other issues.

An awards ceremony, organised by Litter Free Ilkley and sponsored by Thomas Black, retired Keighley businessman, was held at Ilkley Bandstand on Sunday, April 26th.

Winners included Menston Scouts and Guides and Addingham Cubs and Beavers who were both recognised for community clean-up events in their respective villages.

Junior Litter Free Superstars: Jolly Tots Nursery, Burley-in-Wharfedale (Image: submitted)

Jolly Tots Nursery in Burley-in-Wharfedale were awarded the Junior Litter Free Superstars Award for their monthly litter picks and for educating the children that looking after our environment is something we should do every day.

Tamsin Wilson, Deputy Manager at the nursery said: “It is an honour to receive the award and we are extremely proud of our preschoolers who are more than happy to go out in all weathers to help keep the streets and parks of Burley litter free.”

Litter Free Hero Awards went to two individuals, Barney Street, of Ilkley and Ian Forrest, of Guiseley, who each collected several hundred bags of litter in the last year. Ian collected 40 bags in one day on the banks of the river and canal in Leeds.

Council workers were also thanked for their efforts to keep our streets and parks clean, and Keith Cornish from BMDC picked up the Local Authority Support Award.

The local Ilkley McDonald’s restaurant team were presented with the Company Support Award, for making efforts to engage with the local community and introducing initiatives to reduce litter. Their staff were recognised for taking part in Community Litter Picks in Ilkley and Burley as well as keeping the A65 around their site clean.

In November, Alpkit Ilkley held a Crag Clean around the Cow & Calf, in conjunction with the Leeds University Union Mountaineering Club and the Leeds branch of the British Mountaineering Council. This deep clean, which netted 22 bags of litter, was acknowledged with the Company Event of the Year Award.

A small and dedicated group of volunteers from River Worth Friends in Keighley cleared 695 bags of litter as well as larger items including three bikes, 26 tyres, 19 shopping trolleys, 32 traffic cones, two mattresses and four fencing panels from the river in 2025. They were presented with the Protection of Waterways Award.

The work of group coordinator Dave McDougall of Litter Free Baildon was highlighted with the Community Coordinator Champion Award. For the last ten years, Dave has organised events, liaised with the Council and speaks in schools and at Scout, Guide and eco-groups, as well as coordinating over 100 regular litter pickers, who last year collected over 2,000 bags of litter and almost 1,000 nitrous oxide canisters.

Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore, who presented the awards, said: “We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to all litter pickers: those who volunteer with a community group and also individuals collecting litter independently whilst out and about. Cleaning up litter is immensely appreciated for restoring pride in local communities, protecting the environment, and making areas safer.”

Thomas Black, sponsor of the awards, said: “Education and awareness are key to changing attitudes. I am so pleased to see that people of all ages and backgrounds want to make a difference, and it is particularly uplifting to see so many young people being involved.”

Full list of Local Litter Free Award winners 2026

Youth Involvement: Addingham Cubs and Beavers

Community Event: Menston Scouts and Guides Community Clean-Up

Junior Litter Free Superstars: Jolly Tots Nursery, Burley in Wharfedale

Local Litter Free Hero: Barney Street, Litter Free Ilkley

Local Litter Free Hero: Ian Forrest, The Litter-Free Guiseley Campaign

Local Authority Support: Keith Cornish, BMDC

Company Supporters: The team at McDonalds, Coutances Way

Company Event of the Year: Alpkit Ilkley with Leeds University Union Mountaineering Club

Protection of Waterways: River Worth Friends, Keighley

Community Coordinator Champion: Dave McDougall, Litter Free Baildon