Some thoughts on civic pride

Further to your piece headed 'Litter Mountain is a disgrace', I set out some thoughts below:

I refer to the litter issue that blights our town. Whilst the photo taken by your paper shows discarded beer tins of east European origin, I think it is appropriate to say that litter dropping knows no national boundaries. There are litterbugs of all nationalities and all social classes. No single group has a monopoly of litterbugs.

Therefore we need to educate in all nationalities and we also need to eliminate all excuses for dropping litter. That means explaining the costs to those who have limited English skills. One way to achieve this would be for the Spalding Guardian to publish a multi lingual leaflet on biodegradable paper setting out the costs of litter and make it available for free distribution.

I am sure that there would be enough of us in the community prepared to take part in an educational stall on Spalding Market to distribute them, if your newspaper was willing to be part of a campaign to address this issue with other interested parties such as Spotless Spalding and the Spalding and District Civic Society.

Coun Gambba-Jones says the District Council does the best it can with the resources it has and I am sure that they are trying to, but perhaps it needs just a little more? The provision of bins where they are needed must be part of the solution as well as ensuring that they are emptied on a regular basis.

In addition, should we not be making our town a more attractive place? Should not our street furniture be maintained to a good order and should not more attractive planting be delivered as can be found in many other towns? Should not our public spaces and green verges and roundabouts be properly maintained? Should we not be demanding that those spaces that cannot be accessed and are the responsibility of others such as around the railway line are also maintained?

I note that Network Rail is doing some work in the vicinity of Steppingstone Lane Railway footbridge. Does that work also include cleaning up the trackside? A task that they promised to two district councillors would be done two years ago to my knowledge.

Another way of helping to address part of the issue would be the reinstatement of the Johnson Drinking Water Fountain in the town centre which the Spalding & District Civic Society are keen to see. This would eliminate a considerable amount of plastic waste if the local traders were willing to be involved by providing re-usable, biodegradable water bottles for a small fee.

Finally, why are traders not encouraged to offer a small payment for the aluminium cans that could then be sold on to recycling companies, or indeed a small deposit for the return of bottles that could go back to the manufacturer to re-use?

If some on the council do not have the drive or collective vision to address these issues, does that not make a case for us having a town council who can speak up for Spalding, take control of the situation and use the power to raise funds to pay for and deliver the maintenance that our streets need.

If those of us who have the desire and the will to see the civic pride in our town restored could all come together regardless of background, politics or nationality to set about achieving the goals that I have set out, it would then surely give the impression to local residents and visitors alike that we actually do care about the town. Would this not shame people to not drop litter?

Once the pride in our town has been restored it would then be reasonable to insist that the last of the litterbugs desist or face the penalties that it would be reasonable to demand of them.

John Bland

via email

EDITOR: Some good ideas John and the leaflet suggestion is certainly something we will give some though to.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

There’s a bible story about noise and silence, about business and stillness and about being beside oneself and being in oneself!

Of course it’s about the sisters Mary and Martha of Luke Ch 10. I felt drawn to it again as I experienced a day called 'exploring silence’ recently.

The stopping, the reflecting, the meditating, even the writing through the day gave powerful awareness of the centre of faith, our Lord Jesus Christ, and his care of me, and then my thoughts travelled outward to others from that place of silence. Different styles of being with myself and finding Christ within, an interior journey.

But wasn’t I distracted like Martha, my mind kept darting here and there being dragged away, concerned about rightful responsibilities and cares.

So hard to come from that sanctuary of stillness and silence into the demands of life like Martha. So much noise. So much business, so easy to lose the still small voice. I was reminded of these words from ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’ in verse 3 ‘Are we weak and heavy laden cumbered with a load of care Precious Saviour still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer. c.Joseph Scriven 1819-86.

Rev Frances Ballantyne

Spalding Broad Street Methodist Church