What an absolute pleasure it was to chat to Laura Burton, an Early Years teacher at St Bartholomew's Primary School about an upcoming litter pick that the school have planned. Taking place on 9 May, in celebration of Sir David's Attenborough's 100th birthday the day before, it is a most apt way to mark this special occasion. And it's a birthday celebration which we think the English broadcaster, natural historian and writer would most wholeheartedly approve of. 

On 9 May between 10 and 12, the whole community is invited to go to St Bart's Primary School to join in a community litter pick. The school would love to see lots of people there. The plan is that they will have a map of Haslemere and everyone will be allocated an area in which to litter pick. If you have a preference on where you'd like to focus your efforts, please do let them know on the day! Litter picking tools will be provided on a first come, first served basis but in case they don't have enough to give out, they would really appreciate people bringing their own if you have them.

The idea was thought up by pupils at the school. From years 1 through to year 6, a pupil can put themselves forward to be a member of the Pupil Parliament. Those elected to the parliament by their peers then represent the school. Environmental issues form the backbone of everything that this group does. 

In the past, pupils elected to the Pupil Parliament have lobbied the town council to improve the bins in Haslemere. They wrote to request that bins had lids (which were then provided) and also to improve the recycling options (which is still work in progress). More recently, Pupil Parliament members visited Redcot to help residents with planting. And they have an exciting trip to Guildford Cathedral coming up where they will be enjoying a day learning all about environmental issues and how they can make a positive difference.

We were so impressed by the school's focus on the environment and its importance. This community litter pick is not an isolated event. Far from it. Each week, every class nominates a child to be the litter picker for the day. That means that day in, day out, children are committed to cleaning up the local community. And it's clearly a role that children are keen to be selected for too. 

In the next few days, expect to see posters around the town which the children have designed to help raise awareness of the intiative.

And please do show them your support on 9 May by heading along to Bartholomew's Primary School at 10 a.m. There may well be a reward and prizes for taking part too!