Little boy delighted by special birthday visit from council’s waste team

Jude Clarke with his family and Pete Wood and Darren Phillips of the Joint Waste Service.
Jude Clarke was excited when staff from the Joint Waste Service visited to wish him a happy birthday.

A little boy who is ‘obsessed’ with the weekly visits of our waste and recycling team has enjoyed a special surprise to celebrate his 3rd birthday.

Every Friday Jude Clarke, of Burntwood, waits excitedly for them to appear and watches in fascination as our operatives empty the bins of recycling material and general waste into the back of the respective wagons.

He looks forward to it every week and insists on waiting at the entrance to his street, under the watchful eye of mum, Kate, for their arrival.

The operatives know Jude and wave to him and as Jude’s birthday, on Sunday 26 June, approached, Kate contacted our Joint Waste Service to see if it could help with decorations for the ‘bin-themed’ party she was planning.

Managers at the Joint Waste Service went one better and last Friday, 24 June, visited Jude’s home to wish him a happy birthday in person.

The little boy heard the wagon approach and was wide-eyed with excitement when it pulled up outside his house.

Waste And Transport Operations Manager Darren Phillips and Logistics Officer Pete Wood met Jude and his family and presented him with a hi-vis vest, a children’s book about recycling, a certificate congratulating Jude on his interest in recycling, a set of red, white and blue miniature bins and a birthday card.

Their brief visit did not affect the regular operation of the waste team and Jude was delighted when he was given the opportunity to sit in the wagon and sound the horn.

His mum Kate said:

“Jude is obsessed with the waste collections, helps dispose of our rubbish and makes sure items go in the right bin.

“We put the bin out on a Thursday evening and if our neighbours are not at home we put theirs out too.

“Jude loves watching the wagons collect rubbish and recycling. If we do miss a wagon in our street, we go out looking for it on its round.

“Jude absolutely loved his surprise. Thank you to so much to Joint Waste Service team – you made his day.”

Jude’s birthday on Sunday 26 June was celebrated with a party at his home with family and friends.

Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, Councillor Elizabeth Little, said:

“We are delighted that Jude is so interested in the work of our waste collection staff.

“It was lovely that two of our staff were able to visit him at his home and wish him a happy birthday.”

Published: 1 July 2022