Loulou Blaze was born in the Highlands of Scotland, gradually moving south to Liverpool and Yorkshire, before finally settling down in the Oswestry area.

Throughout her life, and from a young age, she has cleaned the streets of litter. All done in her own time, wherever she found herself living.

Settling down in Oswestry bought no changes to her vocation and she continues her goal for no reward.

It is very difficult to judge how many hours of her life have been dedicated to litter picking however, I would suggest that it’s a vast amount.

Loulou holds down two jobs as a professional cleaner and spends her spare time, before work, in between work, and in the evenings, litter picking in the Oswestry area.

Her sense of community spirit goes above and beyond and her dedication to removing litter is paramount to her daily life.

When asked why she dedicates herself to this pastime Loulou humbly replies, ‘It’s what I like to do, I have always done it, and I will continue to do so. I like seeing the streets tidy, with no litter. It makes people feel better in themselves, walking or driving in a clean environment.”

On the way to work, on the way back from work, Loulou will litter pick the route, even when riding her bicycle!

She can often be seen in the evenings with her trusty assistant, the family dog ‘Blaze the Shepski’ (Husky/Shepherd Cross) or The Wolf as he is locally known, picking up the litter in the local area.

Her efforts are supported by her Husband Johnny, who finances the tools that she requires to fulfil her mission, such as litter pickers, bags, and ‘hoops’. Of late the Morda Parish Council have provided her with the ‘green’ litter picking bags which she fills and leaves at the side of the road for collection.

Loulou doesn’t confine herself to just litter picking though. She has cleared the pathways of Morda of weeds and debris, cut back obstructive overgrowth that hampers pedestrians, and cleared recognised country trails.

Her efforts do not solely concern the residents within the village, and she will venture beyond Morda into Oswestry town centre, and the route into the town centre itself, the A483 down to the Ironworks and the Golf Club, Weston Road, Maesbury Road and into the town centre. The Trefonen Road, into Trefonen, and wherever she may be.

No area is left unattended in her efforts to secure the lack of litter on the streets.

I found Loulou to be a very humble person, who’s satisfaction comes from the occasional passer-by, who offers thanks and praises her efforts, or the passing motorists acknowledging with a wave or a thumbs up.

In March 2025 Loulou’s efforts were recognised by the Mayor of Oswestry, who presented her with a ‘Community Champion Award’ at a ceremony at the Guildhall.

However, it does not stop there. Loulou was nominated for an Oswestry Town Council ‘Tony Award’ for her services to the community. Having been declared the ‘winner’, a date is yet to be decided for the presentation of the award.

Loulou has suffered with Arthritis since a young age. The condition was un-diagnosed for several years however, and recently, an official investigation by the medical authorities has confirmed the condition.

Asked if this will deter her from litter picking and other services to the community, Loulou replied, “It is not going to stop me doing what I do. The pain is irrelevant, compared with seeing the streets free of litter. Why should I stop now?”

Loulou’s community spirit outweighs her medical condition, and her fighting spirit will ensure that she is out there, in all weathers, doing what she loves to do, ‘providing a community service’.

A true gem to the community and society she lives in, and long may it continue.