BAGS OF ENTHUSIASM: Steve Gregory clearing up as he goes along. Echo pictures by Stuart Martin.
Southampton father of two Steve Gregory is the pick of the litter-pickers around his neighbourhood.
Steve is regularly seen clearing up refuse around his home, often spending hours a day on his passion for making Portswood a cleaner place to live.
Mr Gregory, a former University College London lecturer, was seriously injured in a motorbike accident in 1984.
For the past five years Steve has cleared St Denys Road, and the surrounding area, of litter dropped by passers by and drivers.
On average he collects two full carrier bags a day, separating ordinary rubbish from that which can be recycled.
In order not to overload his bins at home the 53-year-old distributes the rubbish around public bins, filling them to the brim.
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Passion
Steve's passion for litter-picking has gone so far his doctor advised him to have a series of injections to combat any diseases he may pick up from the refuse.
He refuses to wear gloves on his trips out and doesn't use a grabber as he finds it a lot easier to pick the litter up with his bare hands.
The hobby' has quickly become obsession and his mum Billie says: "Wherever he goes he can't resist picking it up."
Steve was set for a career in science after studying at the University of Southampton and receiving a first class honours degree.
Dr Gregory was on his way to deliver just his fourth lecture in the capital when a motorist lost control and drove into the right side of his body.
Steve spent 18 months in hospital before eventually returning to Southampton where he began a long process of recovery.
Steve said: "I can't say I like picking up rubbish, I just don't like to see it about.
"I normally do it when walking to get my paper in the morning, then I walk down to Cobden Bridge and clear up around there. I just get in the habit of picking up rubbish, anywhere I go I just have to pick
it up."
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Posted by: Stu-Pid, North Badasslee on 9:32am Fri 28 Mar 08
After previously living in St Denys, I can confirm that if the old man does actually clean, he does not do a very good job.
Anyway, wouldn't he be better deployed to some grimey council estate like Sholing, Millbrook or Lordshill?
Or maybe he could go on TheSaintsForum and clear up all the crap that is spouted on there?
Mug.
After previously living in St Denys, I can confirm that if the old man does actually clean, he does not do a very good job.
Anyway, wouldn't he be better deployed to some grimey council estate like Sholing, Millbrook or Lordshill?
Or maybe he could go on TheSaintsForum and clear up all the crap that is spouted on there?
Posted by: Jesus, Gallilee? on 9:43am Fri 28 Mar 08
I think the mad bloke in Winchester deserves a mention here. He is picking up litter from the pavements around Winchester day in, day out. Granted, he has some serious mental health issues, but hey, who cares. He even dresses in a suit to do his work.
I'd also like to know if the bloke in this story is on incap. benefit. Looks like he can work to me.
I think the mad bloke in Winchester deserves a mention here. He is picking up litter from the pavements around Winchester day in, day out. Granted, he has some serious mental health issues, but hey, who cares. He even dresses in a suit to do his work.
I'd also like to know if the bloke in this story is on incap. benefit. Looks like he can work to me.
Posted by: Chipper, Southampton on 9:55am Fri 28 Mar 08
Good for him. Nice to see someone taking some care in his community.
I'm not an old duffer by any means, I'm only 34, but if I dropped litter when I was a lad, I'd have a clip round the ear before it hit the ground. I can't even consider dropping litter, it's that ingrained into me. I don't know how people seem able to throw all sorts of rubish out of their cars, or while walking along, without a care in the world.
I was driving down the A74 a while back, on the way back from Scotland, and a businessman in the car in front of me opened his window and threw out reams of A4 paper, completely obscuring my vision. Why?!!
I love the eccentricity of the chap in Winchester wearing a suit to do his work. Brilliant.
Good for him. Nice to see someone taking some care in his community.
I'm not an old duffer by any means, I'm only 34, but if I dropped litter when I was a lad, I'd have a clip round the ear before it hit the ground. I can't even consider dropping litter, it's that ingrained into me. I don't know how people seem able to throw all sorts of rubish out of their cars, or while walking along, without a care in the world.
I was driving down the A74 a while back, on the way back from Scotland, and a businessman in the car in front of me opened his window and threw out reams of A4 paper, completely obscuring my vision. Why?!!
I love the eccentricity of the chap in Winchester wearing a suit to do his work. Brilliant.
Posted by: Another litter picker on 11:50am Fri 28 Mar 08
I do the same as Steve on my early walks - but dump the trash into bins left on the pavement by homeowners. Some homeowners now think that the pavement is the correct place to leave their bins all week, blocking prams, etc.
Hopefully when people get fined for not sorting their waste I can help them by deliberately placing the trash in the wrong bin. That will teach them!
I do the same as Steve on my early walks - but dump the trash into bins left on the pavement by homeowners. Some homeowners now think that the pavement is the correct place to leave their bins all week, blocking prams, etc.
Hopefully when people get fined for not sorting their waste I can help them by deliberately placing the trash in the wrong bin. That will teach them!
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