21 November 2010
13:2580968Prepare for a teeny rant
I was walking back from Morrisons this morning and looked back to see a kid throw a can into the river and laugh. There were three of them, two older kids, boy and girl, and a young child. It is impossible to tell, these days, whether or not they were siblings or parents and child - whatever, they were all laughing about throwing a can into the river. My first instinct was to get the older boy by his pasty throat and throw him in after the can. But I paused. What good would it do? I stared at them and they moved on, looking only slightly shifty as if they kind-of knew they had done something wrong but weren't sure what. Should I have challenged them?
I am up to challenge people - I stopped a van driver only a couple of days ago when he pulled in onto the pavement IN FRONT OF a guy with a white stick and dark glasses who was walking on the pavement. He denied it, despite me having watched him, appalled, from the other side of the road, helpless. And I challenged him, politely, with a smile (that didn't feel right!!) when he got out of the van, asking him if he had noticed the guy WITH A WHITE STICK AND DARK GLASSES in front of whom he had pulled onto the pavement next to double yellow lines opposite a junction and just before a pedestrian crossing. So I can challenge appropriately, but I am not sure what I should have done with the pasty young eejit throwing a can into the river. Answers on a postcard........
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
21 November 2010
13:2980969yesterday i walked from morrisons along the river bank through to pencester road, the litter in the river was a total disgrace.
usually it is lager cans mostly, this time there were various soft drink cans, crisp packets, cardboard and assorted detritus.
most interestingly pride of place goes to a container of fabric softener, did someone drink the contents and then throw it?
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
21 November 2010
14:0380970People usually throw litter where they see litter. In Dover there is no recruitment to clear the river and the country-side from litter on a periodic basis, only occasional volunteer work.
To dish out a fifty quid note for one person doing two days clearing of litter would be well below the minimum wage, could be bracketed as semi-volunteer (half-paid), but no! Too expensive! Surely there would be ten people in the area who would be glad to get a bit of pay for clearing the country-side now and then, but somehow the authorities think it's not necessary.
So, many people see litter, and add their own to it.
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
21 November 2010
17:3581003It's ok Howard I'm not going to bite.
Well past the caring stage now.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
21 November 2010
17:5681008I doubt if that's strictly true Ian, I'm sure you care about the river now, as much as you've always done.
Apart from shooting them (but letting them know why, first) I'm not sure how to get the messsage across.
Roger
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
21 November 2010
19:1481015Using your hypothesis Alexander, why does the first piece of litter get thrown
.
On school days the amount of litter dropped by the little dears on their way to school is a bit like a paper chase trail.
Bern, good job you didn't challenge them you might have ended up in the Dour yourself.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
21 November 2010
19:2081018alex is right on this issue, the same applies to houses, once the first window is broken in a street then boarded up, in a short time others will follow.
widening the issue, years ago in new york they settled on a plan of making sure property damages were repaired promptly then the slide downwards was stunted.
21 November 2010
19:4881025Jan - it is a risk I would have taken!! But I have to say I doubt he would have had a cats chance - I have floored better men than him!!
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
21 November 2010
21:0481055-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
22 November 2010
08:5381081It's called the broken window syndrome Howard - and yes it does work.
Why not use the Community Pay-Back teams ?
Roger
22 November 2010
11:5881112Wasn't there a thread some time ago about it not being legal to do anything to the river?
If there isn't anything illegal, why do not some fit people just put their wellies on and get in there. I certainly would if I could, although I know this is easy to say when there is absolutely no possibility.
There are so many people concerned about Dover on here, it surely would be possible to find a small posse who would give a Sunday morning to this job once a month.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
22 November 2010
12:2081115people can only go in the river at certain times of the year, not during spawning season though.
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
22 November 2010
12:3181116Diana said, Find a small posse to do this on a Sunday morning.
Well Diana it used to happen and it was more than just a small posse, at one point I had over a hundred people in my book to clean the river, lots of kids too that used to love doing it, sadly all gone now since certain groups took over and not enough action.
Spawning season November through til the end of March Howard.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
23 November 2010
16:0781303I suppose the eejit that threw in the fabric conditioner is just a big softie at heart
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
23 November 2010
18:3681327i agree if it is any comfort to you barry.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
24 November 2010
15:028144425 November 2010
11:2281608Thanks Ian, I remember your thread now. It is shameful that people like yourself and your helpers are no longer allowed to take steps to keep the Dour clear. It is yet another case where one feels helpless.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
25 November 2010
15:5981633I see there is some kind of large toy bouncing around now, as well as the usual rubbish, by Morrisons.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
26 November 2010
23:1281836Thank you Diana but all by the way and forgotten now as will the river be for the next 5 months, then add another 3 months for the breeding season, that leaves just 4 months of action.
I use the word action because thats what River watch did and we also communicated with local residents as to their needs and concerns, no one gives a toss now and no one is seen apart from the W.C.C.P volunteers MID WEEK once a month. (thanks guys)
2 or 3 cleaners through the winter sorting out things would not harm the breeding in any way, but at the end of the day we SHOULD'NT have the amount of crap thats going into the river in the first place. Start fining these gits and make an example of them and the rubbish will soon cut down.
Why am I bothering saying all of this.
I must be stupid.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
26 November 2010
23:1781837Not at all stupid just getting it off your chest
.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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