Kingswood Community Clean Up is an initiative set up thanks to one resident’s determination to improve public spaces.
Jon Allum founded the group in January 2026 with the belief that everyday residents have the power to shape their communal space.
The group has grown from three volunteers joining the first event to 11 at the most recent one — an encouraging sign of growing community spirit. Jon and the team meet every fortnight, on a Saturday or Sunday, for about an hour, with the option to stay longer.
Each time, they move around Kingswood’s parks and green spaces, picking litter, pulling weeds and making spaces better for everyone to enjoy. Recent sessions focused on Westons Way Playing Field and the green space around Woodstock Play Area, where the group expects to be working for the next couple of months.
Jon’s motivation for starting the group comes from powerful early memories of life on his childhood street.
and working together is building community spirit
He said: “I remember not having a play park near where we lived. My parents gathered the support of local people and asked the council for one. One was built, and we had somewhere to play.”
He also remembers watching his Dad spend an entire day clearing weeds and overgrowth from a row of garages, after neighbours declined to help.
“He worked himself to a standstill to make our part of the world a better place to live. I think I’m driven to do the same and make my parents proud,” said Jon.
This determination to improve his area has followed Jon into adulthood. In 2024 he launched The Ridge Rangers to help clear Cock Road Ridge and work on improving pathways. Despite his efforts, few people joined and his calls to the council went unanswered. After 18 months, he had to give up.
But when planning what he wanted 2026 to look like, Jon gave himself one more challenge:
Jon said: “One of the things was to give it one last go to form a community group. This time it wouldn’t involve the council. It’s down to the people who live in an area to care for it.”
Although independent, the group has had support from South Gloucestershire Council, who have provided litter-picking equipment and collected the bagged waste.
Jon has rallied support from other residents: “I should credit Nath Webber and Jimmy Holmes, who have helped organise our events as well as working incredibly hard during them.”
“I’m not religious, but I believe in things bigger than myself. One of them is the power of people when they come together with a common goal. I want to rebuild a sense of community that I think has been lost.”
His hope is that the group becomes an antidote to the belief that ‘someone else will do it’ and give a chance for the people of Kingswood to take pride in their shared spaces, for the benefit of children, families, dog walkers, and everyone who enjoys the area’s green pockets.
Residents of all ages are warmly welcome to join future clean-up sessions. Details about upcoming events can be found at:www.kingswoodcleanup.co.uk. To get involved or find out more, email: kingswoodcleanup@gmail.com