WESTBURY and Wiltshire councillors Carole and Gordon King took time out last Saturday morning to spend two hours litter picking in the Market Place, Fore Street and Trowbridge Road.
But the Kings say that they have only made a dent in the issue and are encouraging people to attend the community litter pick this Saturday.
Gordon said, “The community litter pick had been postponed for one week but we knew that things were bad and we could not wait another seven days before making a dent into the problem, and that’s all we have done, there is plenty left for others this weekend.
“New research has revealed that it can take up to 14 years for a discarded cigarette butt to break down and in that time, they can get into our water supply and can cause untold damage to the health of pets and other animals.
“Plastics and cellophane never break down as such but can be reduced to small particles that inevitably get into the waterways, into our streams and rivers and ultimately into the sea. Once there, the damage it does to fish and sea mammals and ultimately our food chain is well documented.”
Carole added, “We should not think of litter picking as a chore as it’s therapeutic. It is about taking action, however small, against a problem that affects the plant, our food chain and our overall long-term wellbeing in ways we are just getting to understand.
“Please don’t leave it to others; come and join in a litter pick near you. It is time for all of us to get out and join others in saving our planet, it is the only one we have.”
The community litter pick is this Saturday 18th February meeting in Market Place at 9.45am for a 10am start. Participants should wear suitable clothing, wet gear if necessary and good boots. Litter equipment will be provided.
The picking area will be Market Place and surrounding areas including: Westend (Doggets Lane and Fatts Passage), Alfred Street and Gibbs Close, Bratton Road, Maristow Street, Edward Street, High Street, Haynes Road etc.
More information is on the town council website.
