With the return of longer periods of daylight and better weather thoughts turn to spending more time out in the fresh air enjoying long walks out and about.
It is always heartening to see those committed hardy souls who every year give up their time to walk along the roadsides picking up the rubbish that a thoughtless minority discard. It would be nice if those responsible could take a little time to stop and think and dispose of their rubbish in the proper place.
Twice a year my wife and kids “do their bit” along the Laxfirth (Tingwall) road from the school out past the Vatster quarry to the main road, a distance of three miles or so and this weekend they collected seven big bags of assorted rubbish. Not an overly huge task except for the amount of dog crap left behind by some careless dog owners who also can’t be bothered to clean up after their beloved companions.
It makes the task of doing the Voar Redd Up even more hazardous as you have to constantly keep an eye out for “little gifts” so kindly left behind in the grass on the roadsides. This is especially bad in the area from the Vatster Quarry down to the brig at the bottom of the hill… presumably where the assailants assume that the dastardly deed cannot be witnessed.
So I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who do clean up but also to make an appeal to those people who walk their dogs out along this (and any other road) to also do your bit and clean up after your dogs. Also I should point out that what you are doing is not only morally wrong and antisocial, it is also illegal and you could be prosecuted for it when caught. The issue (no pun intended) has been reported to the relevant authority so be warned…. you are being watched.
Mike Bradley
Laxfirth,
Tingwall