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Community Hero Celebrated

A huge thank you was given to a local community hero last week to celebrate his incredible hard work and dedication to keeping the streets of Aberdare clean and litter free.

Roger Davies, from Aberdare, who is now 87 years old, has dedicated the last 13 years to helping keep the streets around the town centre clean and tidy. Roger could be seen every morning bright and early litter picking before the roads were busy with cars and pedestrians.

Roger has lived in the town for over 70 years and cares passionately about the area – in all weathers, he collects litter from his street, along the bypass and the grounds of St John’s Church. He searches for litter between cars and deep inside the overgrowth to ensure he does a thorough job!

With the help of local Councillors, Cllr Steve Bradwick, Cllr Ann Crimmings and Cllr Victoria Dunn, Roger arranged for additional litter bins to be installed in the area to help reduce the amount of litter dropped on the floor – ensuring that nobody had any excuses.

Over the years, Roger has collected an average of 3 bags of litter every day, and once he has finished, he leaves the bags at the roadside, ready to be collected by the RCT Street Cleansing Team.

More recently, Roger has been finding it hard to keep up his amazing work due to his worsening health condition and family commitments, he will be hanging up his litter pick. To celebrate and show the communities appreciation for his efforts, Roger received a special visit last week from local Councillors, Cllr Crimmings, Cllr Bradwick and Cllr Victoria Dunn, who presented Roger with several gifts and cards to thank him for his service to Aberdare over the years.

Cllr Steve Bradwick, said: “Roger is a great asset to our community, and I’m proud that he has been a jewel in our town over the last decade. Roger has been a good friend to our town and deserves to be thanked and shown our appreciation. I wish him a well-deserved rest – Thanks for everything!”

Cllr Ann Crimmings, who as well as being a local Councillor, is also Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, said: “Roger has been a real environmental champion over the years and has won our prestigious Love Where You Live awards for his huge efforts. I was delighted to visit Roger and thank him for his amazing hard work. I think Roger deserves to put his feet

Rhondda Cynon Taf boasts many litter picking hubs and works with Keep Wales Tidy and Caru Cymru to help make them accessible to all – if you would like more information or would like to pick up the litter picking baton from Roger visit https://keepwalestidy.cymru/caru-cymru/litter-picking-hubs/.  

Information on litter in Rhondda Cynon Taf can be found at https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Resident/StreetCareandCleaning/StreetCareandCleaning.aspx.  

Posted on 27/10/2022