The Challenge: To Rid Tattenhall of Plastic Bags

Many of you in the village will know how much Thom Morton does for Tattenhall, not least his forbearance during the move of the Post Office counter service into the Spar Store and then his effort and determination in having it relocated back to Pluto House – hooray you shout! In addition, Thom was the principal sponsor of the Tattenhall Beer Festival during which £3000 was raised for the NW Air Ambulance Service and The Children's Society. He has also been the principal sponsor for the Tattenhall Online Photographic Competition, providing a substantial monthly prize to the winning photographer.

One of Thom's particular challenges this year has also been to rid Tattenhall of Plastic Bags.

In an attempt to reduce the weekly use of at least 3000 plastic bags at his Spar Tattenhall Store on the High Street, Thom Morton decided on a community action plan. His initiative in voluntarily introducing a 5p charge for single-use plastic bags, has seen the transformation of consumer behaviour within the village.

Thom was all too aware that the plastic bags issued in store every week were almost immediately destined for landfill sites. In wanting to urgently address this problem, Thom decided that the introduction of a 5p charge for single-use plastic bags in store was an excellent way forward to protect wildlife, reduce litter and support local environmental causes.

The usage of plastic bags by Tattenhall shoppers has plummeted by at least 50% since the introduction of the 5p charge in June 2016 and, following the deduction of reasonable costs, Thom Morton has donated over £1400 to 'TWiG', (Tattenhall Wildlife Group). This community environmental group was nominated by local residents because of their significant contribution to conservation work within the Parish.

Whilst Tattenhall Online remains apolitical – it does beg the question whether Donald Trump has a rival for Time Magazine 'Person of the Year'!

Our photograph shows Spar Tattenhall Manager, 'Lloyd' presenting 'Andrew Hull', Chair of TWiG, with the latest monies raised from this initiative and which will be used in support of conservation work within Jubilee Wood, the new Flacca Wetland and Glebe Meadow in Tattenhall. Also present were Dorothy Titchener, Neil Friswell, Tim Green and Margaret Newman.