Park guardian Litter-picker Karen picks up prestigious mayor’s medal

THIS was the heartwarming moment a woman who has spent much of her free time for years picking up litter in her local park in South Bristol realised people in the local community had thrown her a surprise party to say thank you.

- Tristan CORK

The party was held to celebrate Karen Rich, after she was awarded a prestigious Lord Mayor’s Medal for her services to the community.

Almost a decade ago, Karen decided something needed to be done about the amount of litter in her much-loved local park, Redcatch Park in Knowle, and after realising that if you want a job doing properly, you have to do it yourself, she got herself a litter-picker and rubbish bag and got busy.

In the years since, and especially through Covid when Redcatch Park became an even more valuable and well-used open space in the heart of South Bristol, Karen became a familiar face. She was even more popular with all the dogs in the area, when she started carrying around a pouch of doggy treats.