Bolton litter pickers plant flowers for 75-year-old Harvey

Andy Capstick and the team at the Litter Pickers of Astley Bridge would litter pick with a 75-year-old they only knew as Harvey on Castle Street, in Tonge with the Haulgh.

Harvey had been litter picking alone when three years ago, Andy met him and started up a friendship as well as helping him litter pick in the area.

Now, Andy has planted tulips and daffodils in a rubbish bin which Harvey had used before he died three weeks ago.

Andy said: “When I met him three years ago, we used to go and help him because he was doing it by his own on Castle Street.

“I last saw him in October and I would usually ring him and ask how he is and what he had been doing and asking if he needed any help.”

Andy will look after the area Harvey covered and continue to plant the flowers in his memory.

He said: “I did about eight hours with him that day then he made me a sandwich, biscuits and a cold drink.

“I never knew his surname, but he used to work on the railways, he was a man who cared about more than just himself, he cared for where he lived, and he cared for all nature and the wildlife.

“He did so by action, he looked after this area, and we did many group litter picks with him here, more recently, Bill Francis and I would help him.

“I was going to ring him the very day I heard he had passed away.

“He used to keep a record in a book of how many bags etc removed from this patch, he was old school, did not do social media, I was sad I didn't know sooner he had passed away, as I would of attended his funeral, so as a tribute to a good man, friend and fellow litter picker, I planted some Spring bulbs in the old council bin he installed to spread the word.

“I also planted daffodils, hyacinth, tulips, and grape hyacinths for Harvey, who will be sadly missed.

“He was a lovely man and cared so much about picking the litter up.”