In the last few months I have noticed an increased amount of coverage about the litter problem in the City. The other day, just off my small front lawn, I managed to fill a carrier bag full of aerosols, crisp packets and chocolate rappers. For me though, the straw that broke the camel's back came when I saw a report on BBC Midlands Today cataloguing the terrible problem that we seem to be facing in this city. It is time for action!
Why should you care?
When you tell people where you come from, do you take pride in telling people about our wonderful city? If you do, then the answer the above question is obvious. We have a responsibility to maintain and create a pleasant environment to not only live in but to visit too. If people visit Worcester and the experience is good, they will return. If Worcester is dirty and filthy, then they won't come back again, simple really!
What if I'm not proud to live here?
Remember there have been people settled in this area for over 9000 years, the Romans established the settlement nearly 2000 years ago. We are able to boast some of the most exciting history and spectacular architecture that this country has to offer. At the same time Worcester is a thriving growing city and boasts some great claims such as one of the lowest crime rates in the country. We should be proud to live here, but we must also remember that it is our duty to care for the city that has cared for us and our ancestors for millennia.
Before I went to university, I didn't think much of Worcester. This changed when I moved away for a spell, I discovered that Worcester is a really nice place to return to compared to many other places around the UK. Once I started to learn about the history and the culture here I discovered that we have something very unique.
Surely you're trying to attract people to the area, why are you bleating on about our litter problem?
Because something needs to happen. Worcester is already getting a bad reputation, I am keen to try and curb this before people stop visiting. I talk about Worcester being a fantastic place to visit. Frankly I believe that the problem is not as bad as people would have you believe, but where there's smoke! If we can put a stop to this now, we can make Worcester the best place live and visit!
What can we do?
The first answer is simple, don't litter, drop your rubbish in a bin it takes little effort. People who drop litter are generally lazy and show no pride, they make it someone else's problem.
The litter dropped in streets is only part of the problem, we are about to get a another hike in council tax, yet our local government is not really doing much to fix the problem. There are not enough bins around, those that there are usually full up. There are derelict areas around the city that are an eyesore piled up with junk and rubbish. The beat coppers need to fine litter bugs, this doesn't seem to be happening.
So:
Write to our MP Michael Foster
Make your feelings known, write to the paper, you could even set up a website! ;-)
Campaign by Andi Ching, 23rd May 2005
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