Litter louts spoil common
Discarded rubbish left by a thoughtless few is causing a threat to wildlife
THOUGHTLESS litter louts are ruining a Hungerford beauty spot by leaving broken glass, burned out barbecues and other rubbish strewn around.
The scenes of devastation on Hungerford Common have already led to cows being injured and prompted fears of fatalities if the animals eat sharp objects.
The chief executive of the Town & Manor of Hungerford charity, Jed Ramsay, said: “Hungerford Common is a stunning natural beauty spot that is enjoyed by hundreds of visitors every day.
“Yet this is in danger of being spoiled for everyone by the careless and thoughtless behaviour of a few.
“Our hayward [a volunteer who looks after the cattle on the common] is having to collect the waste left behind by visitors on a daily basis, for fear that if he doesn’t, the cattle will eat it.”
Mr Ramsay said: “Yesterday he gathered two full bin bags, including sharp edges, glass and a high proportion of single-use containers.
“Today the collection was three full bags and two boxes, including the remains of two campfires and over a dozen broken bottles.
“He found an area of broken glass that appears to have been smashed deliberately – we’ve already had two cows with cuts or abscesses on their hooves, which leads to costly treatment.”
The Constable of the Town &
Manor Nicholas Lumley said, “It’s troubling to see the mess that’s being left on the common and I can’t understand how anybody can enjoy such a beautiful place then leave their waste for somebody else to clean up.
“We know that many local inhabitants help us by picking up litter, so this is just an indication of the problem.
“Is it too much to ask those who make use of this beautiful place to leave it as they find it?”
Hungerford Common is just the latest area to be abused.
Last month the Newbury Weekly News reported how the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, responsible for West Berkshire’s treasured commons and nature reserves said it has been “shocked, saddened and angered” by irresponsible behaviour at its sites.
It said a large number of nature reserves had been damaged in recent weeks, with reports of buildings broken into, fires, barbecues, illegal fishing, fly tipping and vandalism.
The trust also said there had been widespread cases of littering at reserves as warm weather coincided with an easing of coronavirus restrictions.
In addition, there have been posts on social media depicting abandoned barbecues, burned grass and litter on Combe Gibbet near Inkpen.