Ferndown moves towards plastic free status

At the launch of Plastic Free Ferndown, Paula Jones, operations director from Prama, the charity that runs the Barrington, announced the centre had become plastic free.

Paula said, “We are keen supporters of Plastic Free Ferndown and were very pleased to be part of the launch. PramaLIFE has stopped using any single-use plastic in the centre, including the theatre, bar and Penny’s Café and will be encouraging all users of the Barrington Centre to adopt the same approach.”

It was a great start to the launch event, particularly as the steering committee had been working hard for several months alerting businesses, schools and community organisations about the plastic free campaign.

Deputy mayor Jean Read attended to discuss how the campaign was going and town crier Mike Andrews alerted shoppers with his numerous cries about the event.

Members of the committee met just before the launch to carry out a 30-minute litter pick and filled two big bags and a box with rubbish that had been thoughtlessly discarded on Penny’s Walk and in the shrubberies within the vicinity of the launch. Items included a large clock, a plastic light cover, 35 plastic bottles including an empty four-pint milk container, which had been gnawed by a rodent and licked clean, glass bottles including broken ones and several pint glasses. Cigarette butts were also collected, but these were too numerous to count and many were found discarded next to rubbish bins.

During the launch, over £60 was raised for Surfers Against Sewage, the award winning charity that is guiding communities throughout the UK, including Ferndown, to becoming plastic free.

The PFF Steering Committee said, “Thank you to all the people of Ferndown and beyond who joined us for a free BBQ and to find out more about how to become plastic free. We feel we also inspired those who live further afield to start their own plastic free communities.”

PFF Community leader Janine Pulford added, “The high level of support for this cause made us realise just how many people are fed up with the quantity of plastic in the world and are trying to consciously use eco friendly alternatives. Residents came to us with some good suggestions.

“The general grumble was that big businesses need to change by reducing the amount of plastic used in packaging and food provision.

“’Why wrap a swede in plastic?’ said one bemused Ferndown resident.” She highlighted the fact that a swede has to be peeled and cooked before being consumed, so the packaging is totally unnecessary.

“Absurd practices like this have to stop,” said Janine. “And Plastic Free Ferndown will keep up the pressure for change.”