Littering Bikers

Recent rubbish in Brighton

When I was a child I must have undergone some sort of aversion therapy with regard to dropping litter.   I simply cannot do it, and occasionally, filled with guilt,  find myself chasing in a most undignified way, after a tissue or other item that has accidentally fallen from my pocket.  I don't think that there is anything particularly virtuous in this....it's just that someone, many years ago, got the message across in no uncertain manner!  I am very glad they did,  because I now do not contribute to what is one of the most depressing aspects of modern life, people who carelessly drop rubbish everywhere.

I was depressed but not suprised to read recently about the daytrippers, who, taking advantage of the first warm weather of the year, flocked to Brighton Beach and left the place looking like a mammoth rubbish dump.  Some 23 tons of litter were collected in one day apparently.

Closer to home at Monks Eleigh Parish Council meeting on Monday we heard about the 2000 or so bikers that had cycled through the village on the annual Dunwich Dynamo cycle ride. This 120 mile overnight ride goes from London to Dunwich (an interesting article about the event can be viewed here, (if you have a Times subscription)). While welcoming the bikers coming through the village concern was expressed by residents at the amount of rubbish left behind by the participants.  As a result, what could have been a welcome visitation to the village was spoiled by bad manners and bad habits.