Village champ recalls attack by fly-tippers .. and how it made him more determined
AMAN who was attacked while trying to tackle fly-tipping has now spoken about his ordeal – and how it has strengthened his resolve.
Paul Ellison, from Norden, is involved with various community projects, such as Norden Environmental and Economic Village Association, Rochdale In Bloom, and Rochdale Man of the Year 2019 to 2020, among many other projects to improve the area.
Paul has now posted a photo of a huge lump on his cheekbones from when he was hit with what he believes was either a bar or a piece of wood to the cheekbone as he attempted to find and stop fly-tippers.
Posting on social media, Paul said: “I have never spoken about this until now, because at the time I felt embarrassed and upset.
“Why am I so determined to stop fly tipping in Ashworth Valley?
“This picture, a few years ago, while I was waiting one evening for the fly-tippers in the valley, due to the regular evening tipping at that time, in fact, they were waiting for me instead.
“I was jumped by a couple of the fly-tippers and was knocked to the ground.
“But the moral of the story is ‘the harder you get hit, the harder you stand back up and carry on.’”
Speaking to the Rochdale Observer, he said: “A few people have brought it up and don’t understand what really goes on.
“I am determined because it always niggled at me, what happened at the time.
“Many people get put off but it has just made me go further.”
Four years ago the valley was experiencing a spate of fly-tipped tyres every night, and Paul was carrying out operations with the police.
One night, he went out by himself, and drove past a group before he pulled up.
He said: “It was pitch black. I didn’t know much about it.
“I remember driving past them. It was dark on this lane.
“They came on foot after me and hit me with a bar or a piece of wood, called me a ‘do-gooder’ and a few swearwords.
“At the time I didn’t know what had just happened.
“I was upset about it because you try and do something good and nice and you never realised that harm will come to you.
“Looking back, was it wise go out by myself? But it could have been worse.”
Paul still carries out frequent litter picks and tackles fly-tipping with other volunteers.
His attackers were not caught.