On the run tonight we were aiding the Barnsley Litter Pickers with their ongoing battle against public rubbish. Members of this local community litterpicking group had tasked us with clearing up the Shawlands area.

We made our way safely and steadily up the frosty Racecommon Road, after all it wasn't a race... come-on! We then shaw-footedly took a right onto Shaw Lane, at the end of which we prepped our pickers and other plogging paraphernalia for action. Picking our way along Shaw Street and Shaw Lane we made them sparkle even more than they already were in the icy conditions. Our goal for the evening was to hit Broadway (the road)- there's no business like snow business.

Having reached the dizzying heights of Broadway, we set off into icy wastelands between Keresforth Close and Raley Street. There were large spiky bushes around the perimeter of the field and at the feet of these there was a lot of litter hiding in the snow waiting to be prised out with pickers. Higher up in the bushes there were quite a lot of hanging ornaments drooping from the branches... full dog poo bags!! Why do people bag it up in a non-degradable film and think the best place for it is in a tree?! It wasn't just the odd one either, there must have been about 20, and they were just the ones visible in the snowy darkness.

After filling up 3 bags full of rubbish, it was time to hit the streets again to search out a kerbside litter bin. As ever, this was easier said than done, not finding one until half way back to base, giving the arms a good workout having to carry the full bags all that way.

Upon reaching the endpoint of the evenings activities, a fitness session was forgone as there had been a lot of exertion with all the bag carrying antics.