Facebook friends team up for Hayling Island tidy-up

The Hayling Island group recently reached 10,000 members within three years of its founding.

The public group, which was started by Ian Collier in February 2013, comprises residents past and present of Hayling Island.

Group co-admin Paul Fisher said: ‘We thought it was quite something when we got our first 1,000 members, but since then it has grown like Topsy.’

The forum was opened to the group to vote on a ‘particularly Hayling fashion’ of celebrating.

Paul said: ‘The most popular one was a litter pick, since we are proud of the island and we feel that litter makes it look less than its best.’

Targeting some of Hayling Island’s hotspots for rubbish, a team of 30 were enlisted to tidy up the Billy Trail, Mengham Park and Havant Road.

Eastoke Corner, Legion Field and West Beach were also on the lengthy list of locations blitzed by the group.

‘We were endowed with a delightfully warm and sunny day, which made us grateful to be alive and living on our lovely island’, said Paul.

A total of 50 bags were filled with litter and left for collection at Beachlands.

Paul added: ‘Everyone seemed pleased with their work and quite a few kids joined in.

‘We’ll probably make it an annual end-of season event.’