Midhurst Green Volunteers prepare to celebrate 250th meeting

A dedicated team of volunteers who have been working on behalf of Midhurst will celebrate their 250th session on Tuesday (September 29).
By Joe Stack
Published 23rd Sep 2020, 15:59 BST
Updated 23rd Sep 2020, 16:02 BST
Picture courtesy of Chris SteibeltPicture courtesy of Chris Steibelt
Picture courtesy of Chris Steibelt

The Midhurst Green Volunteers have been meeting twice a week to keep areas in and around the town clean since 2018 and have cleared 88.7 tonnes of green waste since then.

Graham Pooley was approached to set up the group after being talent spotted for his work with the Midhurst Yellow Bus.

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He said: “It’s amazing fun. It’s a strange thing to say about weeding and sweeping the sides of streets but it is.

Picture courtesy of Chris SteibeltPicture courtesy of Chris Steibelt
Picture courtesy of Chris Steibelt

“It’s one of those jobs where you get instant gratification.

“[The volunteers] are great fun to work with. Everybody has a bit of a joke and a josh and then get down to the serious stuff.”

He moved to Sussex from New Zealand in 1978 when he met his wife, who he described as ‘an unbelievable Sussex girl’.

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Chris Steibeilt has been volunteering for the past six months.

Picture courtesy of Chris SteibeltPicture courtesy of Chris Steibelt
Picture courtesy of Chris Steibelt

“What Graham wants is for representatives of Midhurst Town Council to be there and Easebourne Parish Council because there is quite a lot of work that is done there from time to time. It is quite incredibly what he does — without him it wouldn’t happen. I’ve been involved since February. I’m trying to do the social media sites and I take part on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

“It’s really rewarding doing something for the town and I find it quite interesting.”

Chris said the organisation is always looking for more volunteers and hopes more people see the value in the work of Midhurst Green Volunteers.

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“I joined because I was inspired by people doing volunteering work.

Picture courtesy of Chris SteibeltPicture courtesy of Chris Steibelt
Picture courtesy of Chris Steibelt

“Graham was involved with the yellow bus service and I had been out of the country for many years so I decided it was a good way to meet new people and give something back to the community.”

Speaking on behalf of the town council, which has been supporting the Midhurst Green Volunteers financially, chairman Carol Lintott said: “They are just an absolutely fantastic bunch of people and Midhurst is in awe of the work that they do in and around the town.

“We thank them wholeheartedly and congratulate them on reaching this milestone.”

Graham said the group is always looking for new volunteers.

Find out more at midhurstgreenvolunteers.org.uk

Related topics:MidhurstSussexMidhurst Town Council