Silverdale community champion meets prime minister at Downing Street reception
Stop The Stink campaigner Dr Mick Salt has been to London to meet the prime minister at an event to celebrate some of the nation's community champions.
Dr Salt has volunteered a significant amount of time to campaign on environmental issues at Walley's Quarry landfill in Silverdale and to hold both the operator and the Environment Agency to account over tackling the odour emanating from the site.
Dr Salt said his visit to the capital came out of the blue following a message from Aaron Bell.
The first thing he did when he arrived in London was to go and see a statue of 19th century civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette statue.
Dr Salt said: "He was the original 'stop the stink' campaigner, so I had to go and see him."
Sir Joseph designed London's sewage system after the Great Stink of 1858, which was brought about by hot weather causing untreated human waste along the banks of the River Thames to engulf the city in a foul smell.
Sir Joseph's work turned out to be influential in relieving the capital of a cholera epidemic, although his initial aim was to put an end to the odour problem.
After stopping off at the statute, Dr Salt was given a tour of the Houses of Parliament before heading to Downing Street.
He said: "We met some campaigners from Middleport Matters who were there with Jonathan Gullis, and then we went through to see Rishi Sunak.
"I then went over to the Houses of Parliament to see the chamber and where Aaron Bell sits.
"We saw Thérèse Coffey on the way out, and she said she is going to come up to see Walleys Quarry soon.
Dr Salt said he's only previously been to Parliament as a tourist, and said it was good to be given an insight into how the political system works.
He said: "It was good to get a flavour of what life is like as an MP. I really enjoyed it, it was really educational."
He revealed he would consider a future political run himself one day, but added he wouldn't be pursuing this for a number of years yet.
He said: "I have been thinking about running to be an MP but not while I have a young daughter – so I wouldn't say never, but not yet!"
He added: "I would like to say 'thank you' to Aaron Bell for inviting me to Westminster and to the event at Downing Street. I enjoyed the whole experience and left the event with a beaming smile.
"Whilst Aaron and I can both agree that the severity of the odour from Walley's Quarry has decreased, the fight is not over and I know that it remains the top issue for Aaron locally."
Mr Bell said: "Mick has been such an important voice for the community on Walley's Quarry over the past few years.
"I was pleased to introduce him to Rishi Sunak as my community champion to thank him for all the hard work he has done.
"I would also like to commend the work of all those who have invested their time and efforts into stopping the stink."
"Thank you and congratulations Mick, this was truly well deserved!"
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