Back in business

Started back on the litter picking trail with 2 sessions this weekend on Winifred Lane and Turnpike Lane, Aughton. That's in Lancashire, England if you didn't already know. One curiosity was the discovery of parts from a piece of Magimix equipment. I’d be interested to know if anyone recognises it from the photo. It has a heating element and one piece has timing and heat dials. Basically it was fly tipped but goodness knows why, it could so easily have gone in the regular bin or been dropped off at the local council refuse centre in Burscough for no charge.

I’ve come across one of the saddest illicit stashes before but my search this time turned up a least 20 empty vodka bottles. They were thrown into the hedgerow in 2 loosely grouped areas and my thoughts have been occupied with the desparation of the person whose secret I uncovered. There is no way I can help but maybe if they realise someone has found the bottles the person will start to think about looking for professional help.

I picked up 3 bags of litter and gave out 3 leaflets as well as finding a whole 10p. Not much you may think but it will be going to Prostate Cancer UK along with my other finds and donations.

An odd development was that 2 separate people actually approached me in the belief I was fly tipping. To be fair, neither of them had actually seen me collecting the rubbish only the stack of bags. I was flabbergasted (good word). They were local residents obviously concerned about their environment but I must admit, this was a situation I just had not anticipated.  You have to take the message seriously, if people draw the wrong conclusions you have to give a clearer picture of the situation hence I have created yet another notice. Basically it spells out that the local council have been informed of the location of the bags and will collect them etc. I was rather proud of myself for staying calm and polite, I had just spent 1hr 30mins collecting litter off the road they were so concerned about as well as 2hrs on Friday. Needless to say I've sent an email to Graeme begging him to organise a prompt collection.