Composters close to 2,500 members

A COMMUNITY compost group has been overwhelmed by the support it is getting from people in Teesdale and is looking for help to fill vacancies.
Teesdale Conservation Volunteers (Rotters), in Startforth, has been collecting garden waste in the area for the past 20 years, and is well on the way to recruiting the 2,500 members needed to remain sustainable.
Teesdale is unique in County Durham in that garden waste is not collected by the county council but rather by the conservation group.
Martin Bacon, of Rotters, said a leaflet drop in parts of Teesdale had quickly whipped up members for the year.
He added: “The phone was just non-stop. About 1,500 people have signed up already. Last year we had about 2,500, which is just about manageable, but 3,000 would be great.”
The phones were so busy that they had to halt the leaflet drop temporarily. The plan is to continue the leaflet drop from Eggleston up to Middleton in the coming weeks.
Garden waste collections begin again next month and the group is currently servicing its machinery in preparation. However, the group needs more staff before the rounds start.
Mr Bacon said: “We have vacancies for a driver and two young people to help with the rounds.
“We have been toying with the idea of job sharing the driver’s position.”
Those interested in the driver’s position need only a normal car licence to apply.
For more information contact Rotters on 01833 690022.