To The Meridian.
I litter pick the path, the grass and gardens in front of our house. There are the usual crisp packets and drink cans and I have no doubt that this will increase when more of those going to and returning from the village college are ducted through this way by the new cycle way scheme. They are young and in time it is hoped that they will grow up to realise that dropping litter is anti social and in time take their turn, like me, in picking up litter for a future generation. There are a good number of cigarette packets in the mix of the litter and though some of these may well have been dropped by the "younger generation" I am sure that not all will be due to them as some smokers have generally thought it is their right to litter the place with their left over's. As much as I would like to see those mentioned above clean up their act it is not they that prompt me to write this letter.

With the introduction of the "poop scoop" bins it is most gratifying to see so many dog walkers complying with this initiative and the roads and pavements, let alone the many areas of grass where children play are now so much cleaner because of the their efforts.

There is however one section of the community that use the path outside our house that are generally adults, or otherwise youngsters accompanied by adults, that seem to think that keeping the village clear of excrement does not apply to them. They are the horse riders. I am sure that they will claim that for centuries horse droppings and urine puddles have been part of living in the countryside and there are many places where it is not an issue but these places are not on such paths, roads and grass areas where residents walk and children play. They will claim that there is a distinct difference between that left by a dog and that left by a horse, try telling that to the parents of someone that comes in with shoes contaminated by it. Dogs used to be allowed to run free about the village but not any more and times have changed for horse riders too. Come on horse riders, in return for expecting everyone to get out of your way when you insist on riding up the main street at the busiest time of the day is it too much to ask that you clean up after you?

Bill Smart,
83 Moat Way
Swavesey
Cambridge
CB4 5GQ

Tel 01954 203446