The cleaning of a popular playing field left in a 'horrible' condition after dozens of caravans which had parked on the site left last weekend is underway. It is estimated to take all week with more than 25 tonnes of waste and rubbish needing to be removed.
Members of the travelling community had been on the fields, which is used by local residents and multiple sports teams, for more than two weeks, heavily disrupting people trying to use the fields. Many locals reported numerous incidents of anti-social behaviour turning the fields into a 'no-go area', one said.
The community moved off the land over the weekend and Manchester City Council had served a notice and were awaiting a court date in relation to this. The council has now confirmed that a massive clean-up operation is underway after multiple bags of rubbish and human waste was left strewn across the fields.
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One local resident took it upon themselves first to kick start the clear up. Nine-year-old Jacob Renshaw was upset at not being able to use the fields to practice his rugby skills and spent hours over the weekend clearing away litter so that everyone could use the fields again.
Jacob's mum Rachel said: "His season has ended for the summer but we still go onto Hough End to train and do things four or five times a week. When we saw the travellers had left we couldn't believe the mess.
"He plays rugby in Didsbury but see them playing rugby and football on here a lot and just thought it was such a shame that they couldn't play due to the travellers and then the horrible mess. So when we came back after we'd seen the travellers had gone he said can we get a litter picker and go and help clear it all up.
"He just wanted to make a bit of a difference so that everyone could use it again and it needs to be done. It's something that makes you very proud."
Didsbury Old Bedians RUFC said in a post: "This is Jacob, a player in the Old Bedians junior section, and he is a true hero. Recently, he was upset by all the litter on Hough End field and took it upon himself to do something about it.
"Him and his mum have spent the day cleaning up rubbish, nappies, used toilet paper, and much more mess. We have an outstanding bunch of players in our youth section and we couldn't be prouder of Jacob.
"Jacob, you are a credit to our club and the local community. Well done you."
The council has described the clean up of Hough End fields as 'major' with five 40 yards skips required for all the waste. It will take the rest of this week to fully clean up the fields which will be ready to be used again this weekend.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods said: "We understand the significant negative impact that this encampment has had on local residents and, and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. This is a major clean-up operation which has taken time to co-ordinate.
"A full survey on the condition of the site was undertaken as soon as staff were able to access the area and we estimate that approximately 25 tonnes of waste and rubbish need to be removed, which will fill five massive skips. Some of this removal will be done by machines but a huge amount of rubbish clearance will also need to be done manually.
"The work has been programmed with equipment arriving on site tomorrow (July 12) and staff on site from Thursday until the site is completely clear and back to normal. We expect that it will be ready for the weekend."
