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Last weekend we were blessed with some glorious, if unusual, February sunshine.
So I decided that rather than take my dogs to do a regular 'walk round the block' I would take them out somewhere they could run and stretch their legs and I could enjoy the sun while it lasted.
I chose to go to Dean Clough Reservoir, a place I'd walked maybe only once before but I knew that on a day like we had on Sunday, that it would be a really pleasant day.
Myself and my friend drove over, parked in the lay-by on the other side of the road, leashed up the dogs and set off through the woods to get to the reservoir.
The woods themselves are beautiful, neat lines of pine trees cover the side of the hill, and the ground is clear apart from fallen pine cones and needles. In quiet moments you can hear the squirrels scurrying around above in the tree-tops.
Existing alongside these peaceful visions of nature, I was horrified to see the quantity of litter that the woods were concealing. In one particular area of the wood, where the trees were spaced out a little more, it was obvious that not everyone appreciates the tranquility of this place.
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Piles of empty crushed beer cans had been collected and left at the base of one or two trees, there was evidence of numerous campfires, and even some still-living trees that had been set alight.
I spotted wine bottles, vodka bottles, beer bottles, beer cans, newspapers, plastic bags... the list goes on.
Rubbish scattered across the woodland floor
Broken glass had been compressed into the ground, remnants of newspapers were scattered about and some person who had half an ounce of a conscience had collected all their garbage and dumped it at one of the stiles along the public footpath.
I'm not sure who owns the land surrounding the resevoir, but it desperately needs a good clean-up. Unfortunately one of my dogs has sustained a fair sized gash to the back of her leg, and I can only guess it is the result of the glass that has been left behind.
The Lancashire Telegraph recently reported on the death of a prize-winning dog, which had its throat slit by fly-tipped rubbish, so you would think people would have a little more consideration. Not just for pets but for children.
We went out on a beautiful day and there were a few other people out for their post Sunday dinner stroll, children and toddlers in tow. What if any of those small children had wandered away from their parents for even a few moments? It doesn't bear thinking about the possibilities.
Apart from all the health risks surrounding this issue, there is the basic defecation of what should be a peaceful and safe place to spend quality time with family, friends and pets.
Posted by: John Duckworth, Great Harwood on 10:17am Fri 15 Feb 08
United Utilities have been, within their budget, proactive in recent years in replacing stiles with the more user friendly 'kissing gates'. Last year they spent much money on felling the trees that were in poor condition and likely to fall on visitors during high winds. Smaller trees were chipped, large ones were left on the ground to provide habitat for creepy crawlies.
UU can't regulate the people who visit the woods. The local council or voulentary groups won't look at it cause it is private land. The police aren't interested cause the youths drinking, fornicating and drug taking with plenty of criminal damage thrown in isn't happening in an urban environment and so dosen't fit the target culture.
For a few years my friends and I,who walk the area each morning ran a litter picking scheme. We placed bags at each entry/exit to the woods and did frequent sweeps picking up the litter. The average number of bags taken to the tip was around 40/50 per season. We have not done it this year - the yobs have won [bold]for the time being.[/bold]
We bought the bags and the litter picking sticks with our own cash and transported the filthy mess to the skips in our own transport.
To be fair to UU and it's woodland officer he was keen to assist and was overjoyed someone was taking an interest in the wood. And he offered bags and help to keep the scheme going. The majority of suggestions for improvements to the woods have been taken up by him.
The one high point in all this was the collection of upwards of 100 empty Bargain booze alcopop bottles collected from the wood. I took them to Bargain Booze on Blackburn road and dumped them out on the floor of the shop. Very satisfying!!!
United Utilities have been, within their budget, proactive in recent years in replacing stiles with the more user friendly 'kissing gates'. Last year they spent much money on felling the trees that were in poor condition and likely to fall on visitors during high winds. Smaller trees were chipped, large ones were left on the ground to provide habitat for creepy crawlies.
UU can't regulate the people who visit the woods. The local council or voulentary groups won't look at it cause it is private land. The police aren't interested cause the youths drinking, fornicating and drug taking with plenty of criminal damage thrown in isn't happening in an urban environment and so dosen't fit the target culture.
For a few years my friends and I,who walk the area each morning ran a litter picking scheme. We placed bags at each entry/exit to the woods and did frequent sweeps picking up the litter. The average number of bags taken to the tip was around 40/50 per season. We have not done it this year - the yobs have won for the time being.
We bought the bags and the litter picking sticks with our own cash and transported the filthy mess to the skips in our own transport.
To be fair to UU and it's woodland officer he was keen to assist and was overjoyed someone was taking an interest in the wood. And he offered bags and help to keep the scheme going. The majority of suggestions for improvements to the woods have been taken up by him.
The one high point in all this was the collection of upwards of 100 empty Bargain booze alcopop bottles collected from the wood. I took them to Bargain Booze on Blackburn road and dumped them out on the floor of the shop. Very satisfying!!!
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