Bryson encourages Liss Junior School to 'Stop the Drop!' - with new school litter campaign pack

Liss Junior School is helping to launch a new educational litter initiative in Hampshire as part of the CPRE's national Stop the Drop! campaign. The school will use a colourful, new information pack and CD provided by CPRE Hampshire called "How to run a whole-school litter campaign", as the focus of its forthcoming Health and Citizenship Week, from 18-22nd May 2009.

Liss Juniors is the first school in Hampshire to try out the new litter pack, which will then be offered to other schools across Hampshire who would like to start their own litter projects.

Children will be putting on a musical play entitled "King Waste-a-lot's Picnic", based on a script in the pack. The play tells the story of a King who takes his people on a picnic that turns out to be so lovely, he repeats the event the following year ... only to find that all the rubbish is still there, spoiling the view! There will be visits from local Campaign to Protect Rural England volunteers, a film from author Bill Bryson, arts and craft activities connected to plastic carrier bags, and visits from other experts that will highlight the impact of rubbish on the animals and plantlife of the countryside.

Andrew Burford, head teacher at Liss Juniors, commented:

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the school to learn about the impact of litter in the environment and for the children to share their work with the community. As the school is now part of the South Downs National Park it is more important than ever that our pupils learn about respecting and protecting our Rural England."

Launched nationally by CPRE's president Bill Bryson, the new pack reveals how litter can easily hurt or even kill wildlife, and the wider damage it has on the environment. It includes shocking facts about litter and powerful photographs that show wildlife injured by carelessly dropped rubbish. Teachers will find the suggested activities and lesson ideas can be related across all subject areas of the curriculum.

John Venning, chairman of CPRE Hampshire, said:

"I really hope that teachers and children alike will enjoy using this material and set an example to the rest of us. It matters enormously that we don't let our rubbish harm the world we share with birds, plants and animals."

For teachers, governors and parents who wish to obtain a pack for their school, please contact Becky French at CPRE Hampshire on 01962 843655 or email info@cprehampshire.org.uk.

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Notes to editors

CPRE Hampshire strives to promote the beauty, tranquility and diversity of the countryside of Hampshire by the sustainable use of land and other resources in town and country, and encouraging the biodiversity and well-being of rural communities.

For information on CPRE, please contact:
Becky French or Pam Mason, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01962 843655
Email:admin@cprehampshire.org.uk

For all media enquiries, please contact:
Keren Burney, media & communications officer, CPRE Hampshire
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