ROCK STAR HELPS TO CLEAR LITTER
Manics singer spotted cleaning mess left by sun-seekers
HE’S CURRENTLY busy promoting the Manic Street Preachers’ latest album – but the group’s frontman still found the time to help clear up one of Cardiff’s parks.
James Dean Bradfield was reportedly spotted pitching in alongside residents who had taken it upon themselves to clear up some of the mess left behind by people enjoying the sunny weather in Pontcanna Fields.
Boxes, beer bottles, disposable barbecues and even a dead rat were among the unsightly rubbish left behind by people taking the opportunity to enjoy the first hot and sunny weather of the year.
One resident said: “Garbage, rats, and filthy roads are becoming the bane of existence for people living in Cardiff and in Pontcanna, which is always touted as a beautiful part of the city.
“The danger is, rats may have been on it, or dogs perhaps have come into contact with it, and the risk of disease spreading is probably quite high.
“Local people all pick up litter during their daily walks, and there are regular litter picks by groups of neighbours. James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers saw a lady doing all this work, tied his dog to a fence, and helped her out. He was a really top guy.”
Canton resident Nigel Pugh, a campaigns officer of The Woodland Trust in Wales and Woodland Trust Cymru, added: “Plastic bottles were everywhere. Two bins were rammed with potential returnables.
“There is a need for targeted awareness, refill water fountains, deposit return initiatives and recycling bins.
“How easy is it for all of us, in an age of social media, to be environmental activists, to notice, to be concerned, or to have a voice? That’s when things change for the better.”
The spontaneous clean-up was just one example of residents rolling up their sleeves to help clear some of the large volumes of waste left in public places across the city, as people came out to enjoy the rising temperatures.
Residents have been doing their bit to clean up the mess in Hailey Park, Llandaff North, where litter bins have been overflowing with refuse.
Yesterday morning, with sporting events going on at the park, bins were already overflowing, prompting some people to make their own contribution to clearing away the mess. It follows scores of complaints to Cardiff council over recent days about litter, and concerns over the state of the city. Riverside, Grangetown, Tremorfa and Butetown have all been experiencing issues with litter, prompting the authority’s cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Bob Derbyshire, to urge people to clear up after themselves. Cllr Derbyshire said the city is developing schemes to improve cleanliness, and warned there would be a crackdown on littering, fly-tipping and incorrect presentation of waste bags, with fines issued. Some people have already been taken to court over recent weeks in connection with waste disposal, and had fines and costs of more than £300 set against them.