Page 16 - link magazine

16 The Link Magazine • December 2005
Freshbrook freshened up by youth Are we proud
of litter?
Twenty five youngsters from Freshbrook Church spent a couple of hours on 31 October giving their
community a treat by tidying it up. Sarah Fulkerson's views on pride
Following publicity of the ini- in Swindon and litter, in the No-
tiative in the October Link, church vember Link, struck a chord with
youth work Dave Davison was several readers.
delighted to be contacted by Swin- Amelia Claydon-Smith from
don Council youth worker tenants' Grange Park wrote:
warden team leader Becky Dudley I was pleased to read Sarah's com-
who offered the services of three ments because it highlighted ex-
wardens and all the necessary actly what the problem is with
equipment including litter pickers some people. They have become
and gloves. so used to the rubbish in our town
The volunteers walked two that they just don't see it or don't
routes from Freshbrook Church to want to.
Greendown in Grange Park col- I agree that we need many more
lecting so much rubbish in two litter bins; it is unbelievable that
hours that bags had to be collected there are so few. But they will then
later by the wardens in their van. need to be emptied regularly. We
Before setting out Chantelle also need a radical change in how
Shand said, "we want to do this for we view litter as I believe it is
the good of the community and Pickers at the ready. Young people from Freshhrook Church mouth club with their everyone's responsibility.
we're going to have fun at the same leaders and tenants' wardens ready to clean up Freshbrook on 31 October It is not just up to Swindon
time." Council to clear up after us — for
Leah Staples added, "some bits are a credit to them and they are a Litter in your patch? them to keep areas litter free on a
of our community are very messy. joy to work with. I'd like to thank The Link knows of individuals regular basis is an impossible task.
Young people care about their everyone who was involved on and groups across West and North I pick up litter on Hay Lane and
neighbourhood and want to do the day." Swindon who quietly take it upon the adjacent cycle paths and the
something about it." After a hard morning's work the themselves to keep their neigh- wood behind my house. I do this
Dave said there had been a great group went to Pizza Hut for a well bourhoods tidy. on a regular basis; it does not take
deal of positive feedback from the deserved lunch. But unless the council tax payer long. But I am sick and tired of
community. "Lots of people have Dave is hoping to organise fur- is willing to stump up, its unrealis- people dumping rubbish. In the
said what a tremendous job the ther litter picks and next time the tic to say the council should do last month I have picked up a bag
young people did. They were re- group may turn their attention to more, whilst the police are not full of heavy bottles, a car battery,
ally enthusiatic to do something graffiti with the help of the local bothered about litter laws when plastic sheeting, and there is a regu-
positive for their area; their efforts Beat Officer Paul Matthews. they have trouble keeping a lid on lar offender who empties the con-
anti-social behaviour. tents of his/her car out into a car-
But is it unrealistic to ask if peo- rierbag every Saturday and throws
ple from an area can or should it out on to the grass verge.
HAYDON WICK PARISH COUNCIL band together to ban litter? Let The It can be extremely dishearten-
Link know of your efforts and if ing but I keep going in the hope
MAINTENANCE OF OPEN SPACES & you want publicity for a local that others will get the message
neighbourhood clean up. and take some responsibility be-
FOOTPATHS IN THE PARISH OF HAYDON WICK yond their own front gate.
Keeping the lagoon We are lucky in West Swindon
TENDERS ARE INVITED FOR THE ABOVE
litter free to have so much open green space.
CONTRACT TO COMMENCE ON 1 APRIL 2006 The Friends of Peatmoor Lagoon It would be even better if it was not
hold an annual Easter litter pick a dumping ground. We all have to
SPECIFICATION DOCUMENTS around the lagoon. This year they do our bit and pick it up. I don't
MAY BE OBTAINED FROM: are organising a second tidy up want my children playing amongst
around Pea tmoor Lagoon on Sun- beer cans and worse.
THE PARISH COUNCIL OFFICE.
day 4 December, loam to 12noon, I was always taught to not drop
THAMES AVENUE. HAYDON WICK
in conjunction with the Peatmoor litter and take it home. Let's face it,
Tel: 01793 722446 Community Woodland open it is not that hard to do and saves
morning. Details on page 43. everyone work.
Closing date for tenders: 31 January 2006
From Adrian Balch, Rushey Platt
I was embarrassed to read the streets to enforce the littering laws.
views of an American living in our When was the last time you heard
I During the 1950s and '60s, Swin- ping litter?
a town about the litter problem. of anyone getting fined for drop-
don residents were proud of their There are plenty of litter bins in
the UK's leading cash & carry wholesaler town and always either used the the town, but people are too lazy
is looking to recruit litter bins or took their rubbishhome. or careless to use them. If a law-
Today, many people, particu- abiding citizen, like myself, sees
part-time check-out operators larly the younger generation, have these crimes being committed and
and a full-time canteen cook not been taught by their parents or tries to apprehend the culprit, all
at school about dropping litter. you get is verbal abuse if not more!
Applications should be made in writing to: Furthermore, they actually drop If there was more police presence
Mr P Kent, Batley's Cash & Carry litter on purpose using the, 'if we on foot patrol in the town and the
don't do it, it'll put someone out of public saw them addressing these
Frankland Road, Blagrove Industrial Estate
a job' excuse! This is absolutely 'petty crimes', then it would per-
West Swindon SN5 8TF
disgraceful behaviour and of haps make them think twice be-
Batley s do not discriminate against men or women course they get away with it, be- fore committing anything more
whatever their race, religion or age cause we have no police on the serious?