Members of the city council cleansing unit Michael Belcher, left, and Leo de Goris Jedrzejowski
A crack team of street cleaners who keep Oxford's pathways clean of syringes, vomit and excrement have been nominated for a top award.
Oxford City Council's Area A town centre cleansing unit have been nominated for Team of the Year at the National Council Workers awards for their work cleaning up the effects of drug misuse and homelessness.
Michael Belcher and Leo de Goris Jedrzejowski beat off competition from 130 other nominations to secure a place alongside five other finalists with the winners to be decided by votes from members of the public.
The unit was nominated by Thames Valley Police for its work in cases, including the dismantling of Tent City', an illegal camp erected on the Thames towpath in Osney in July last year.
The group also cleaned up after drug use in Luther Street and Botley Road.
Mr de Goris Jedrzejowski, leader of the team, said: "We're delighted with the nomination. The team deserve this recognition because they work hard and some of the work can be pretty grim.
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"We have to deal with excrement, dirty bedding, puddles of vomit and used syringes. When it's a public safety issue we move as quickly as we can to clean it up. Contracting hepatitis is the worst risk, but our chaps know what they're doing and want to stop any risk of infection for members of the public.
"At Tent City they had built a very solid encampment out of timber, but we had to take it down and clear up all the rubbish and refuse from the site.
"It is a tough job to do that. Even though they did not legally have a right to be there you are still taking away someone's home."
Chief executive Peter Sloman said "I think the residents of Oxford should be proud that we have a team that has been recognised nationally as providing a great service."
To vote for the team go to localgovernmentchannel.com/awards or text L'GATV 6 Oxford' to 80039.
Posted by: b b leys resident, oxford on 4:25pm Fri 9 May 08
I AM SURE THAT HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB BUT WHAT ABOUT SOME OTHER AREAS CLEANED UP AS WELL.WE ARE ALL ENTITLED TO THE SAME SERVICE BUT IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU WOULDNT THINK SO BUT WELL DONE TO THEM ANYWAY.
I AM SURE THAT HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB BUT WHAT ABOUT SOME OTHER AREAS CLEANED UP AS WELL.WE ARE ALL ENTITLED TO THE SAME SERVICE BUT IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU WOULDNT THINK SO BUT WELL DONE TO THEM ANYWAY.
Posted by: jenny, garsington on 4:57pm Fri 9 May 08
Mr Ison, I've come to the conclusion that your a miserable old fart who can't wait to put a miserable message on every positive story. Haven't you got anything better to do with your time. STUPID
Mr Ison, I've come to the conclusion that your a miserable old fart who can't wait to put a miserable message on every positive story. Haven't you got anything better to do with your time. STUPID
Posted by: Mr Ison, England on 5:25pm Fri 9 May 08
Today i read the town has 43 thousand inhabitants,whoever it is that has the plan has decided to enrish us with 45 thousand immigrants.
Questioning the sanity of such a sheme has been excluded from the debate.
Today i read the town has 43 thousand inhabitants,whoever it is that has the plan has decided to enrish us with 45 thousand immigrants.
Questioning the sanity of such a sheme has been excluded from the debate.
Posted by: Mr Ison, England on 5:37pm Fri 9 May 08
So who's plan is it?
Firstly taxation is needed,so that would be the bank of England.
Secondly you would need bricks and motar,that would be Property Speculators.
Thirdly you would need Immigrants,the Government.
Lastly you would need a clique of people with a near pathological hatred of the English,that would be all four of those groups.
So who's plan is it?
Firstly taxation is needed,so that would be the bank of England.
Secondly you would need bricks and motar,that would be Property Speculators.
Thirdly you would need Immigrants,the Government.
Lastly you would need a clique of people with a near pathological hatred of the English,that would be all four of those groups.
Posted by: David, Headington on 7:21pm Fri 9 May 08
A wonderful job no doubt.
Please send them to Headington it is a s h i t e pit with take away meal packages, overflowing bins and general rubbish strewn throughout.
Perhaps standards could be regulated throughout Oxford rather than the "Favoured areas!"
Ms Fooks preferred areas perhaps?
A wonderful job no doubt.
Please send them to Headington it is a s h i t e pit with take away meal packages, overflowing bins and general rubbish strewn throughout.
Perhaps standards could be regulated throughout Oxford rather than the "Favoured areas!"
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