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Phillip's been litter-picking – for 20 years



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Published Date: 23 May 2008
A CITY man has been voluntarily working night and day to keep his neighbourhood clean for almost two decades.
Ever since Phillip Winfield (74) moved to Cromwell Street 17 years ago, he has been sweeping the area of litter dropped by passers-by.

Mr Winfield spent 21 years working for Peterborough City Council as a road sweeper, but has continued to keep the city tidy on a voluntary basis well into his retirement.

His efforts were brought to the attention of The Evening Telegraph by the chairman of Peterborough Muslim Organisation Abdul Choudhuri, who presented the hard-working pensioner with a gift and thank-you card on behalf of the community.

Mr Winfield said: "I started doing it when I first lived here and have just carried on.

"I do it to keep myself active. I haven't been to the doctor for six years, so it must be helping to keep me healthy.

"I think it's ridiculous that people throw rubbish on the ground in the first place. I see them driving past in cars all the time, dropping litter out of their windows.

"I don't mind sweeping the streets, but people should respect the area more.

"I'm very surprised and happy to receive the gift. Nobody has ever given me a present for doing it before."

Mr Choudhuri said: "He goes up and down the street all the time cleaning the area. At first I thought he was paid for it, but he simply does it to benefit the community.

"We really appreciate his efforts. If there were more people like him the city would be a much better place.

"Nowadays people don't seem to care or respect where they live and drop litter all the time, so for someone to go around cleaning up for free is incredible."

His work has made Mr Winfield something of a celebrity in the area, with people constantly stopping to say hello.

Kiran Hakim (19), of Cromwell Road, said: "He does a great job. If it wasn't for him the streets would be in a complete mess.

"I've known him since I was a child. He's a great man and works very hard."

Israr Hussain (28), also of Cromwell Road, said: "Everyone knows Phillip. The guy is quality. He's out at 7am sweeping the streets, but then he's doing it again at 10pm.

"First he only worked in Cromwell Street, but now I've seen him all over the area. He should definitely get paid – he does a fantastic job."

The full article contains 424 words and appears in Peterborough ET newspaper.
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  • Last Updated: 23 May 2008 11:58 AM
  • Source: Peterborough ET
  • Location: Peterborough
 
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N'Sal,

Peterborough 23/05/2008 12:56:50
Good for him! Shame more people don't take more pride in their surroundings.
2

James_Werrington,

Peterborough 23/05/2008 15:36:05
The council should give people who want to do this the equipment. It's a shame the lazy people in the street don't each keep the area in front of their house litter free and stop him having to do it.
3

Chiefy,

Bretton 23/05/2008 21:35:48
Well done Phillip,you are credit to our society but it is a sad reflection that a citizen such as yourself has to pick up other peoples litter.
Who knows,perhaps the boss of Queensgate Bus Station will follow your example and start clearing up the litter and fag ends deposited by the bus stops.
4

,

23/05/2008 21:35:57
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
5

Hissing Cyd,

Peterborough 24/05/2008 12:49:57
Well done Phillip.
On the subject of Millfield I parked at the shops to pick up the wife, while I was there 9 children from a School stood feet away from two rubbish bins.
They threw on the floor, all of the crisp bags around 15 of those, plus severel empty bottles and chewing gum, when they saw some one from the shops arriving they just sauntered off and stood around the corner, and threw what was left in the crisp bags and sweets on the ground plus the empty bags and bottles some one purchased after wards.
We all know the School involved but I suppose if there was a complaint it would be ignored.
6

Hissing Cyd,

Peterborough 24/05/2008 12:50:28
Well done Phillip.
On the subject of Millfield I parked at the shops to pick up the wife, while I was there 9 children from a School stood feet away from two rubbish bins.
They threw on the floor, all of the crisp bags around 15 of those, plus severel empty bottles and chewing gum, when they saw some one from the shops arriving they just sauntered off and stood around the corner, and threw what was left in the crisp bags and sweets on the ground plus the empty bags and bottles some one purchased after wards.
We all know the School involved but I suppose if there was a complaint it would be ignored.
7

Hissing Cyd,

Peterborough 24/05/2008 12:50:51
Well done Phillip.
On the subject of Millfield I parked at the shops to pick up the wife, while I was there 9 children from a School stood feet away from two rubbish bins.
They threw on the floor, all of the crisp bags around 15 of those, plus severel empty bottles and chewing gum, when they saw some one from the shops arriving they just sauntered off and stood around the corner, and threw what was left in the crisp bags and sweets on the ground plus the empty bags and bottles some one purchased after wards.
We all know the School involved but I suppose if there was a complaint it would be ignored.
8

Hissing Cyd,

Peterborough 24/05/2008 12:59:15
I have seen that there are three reports of mine of the same subject.
Sorry it was not my fault when I pressed Post Comment a time out came up so I tried again twice with the same result.
9

Chiefy,

Bretton 24/05/2008 15:05:28
Well said Hissing Syd,apart from the City Centre areas,the street litter situation is getting beyond a joke. For those able,look outside the Coopers Pub and One Stop shop at Copeland,Bretton. An absolute disgrace perpetuated by the dsicarded fag ends from the pub smoking fraternity,crisp packets and cans from the shop. There is litter bin there but it is about 15ft away and is obviously too remote.
Peterborough should be a FINE City - fine the litter bugs toggetrher with a spell of Community service picking up litter.
Oh dear! My comments may have upset the do good brigade,in which case, TOUGH!
10

The Fool on the Hill,

Peterborough 25/05/2008 08:54:05
Top man Phillip! You're worth a thousand of those layabouts who litter our streets without a thought for their environment.
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