Even Hogmanay litter louts can’t ruin nature’s beauty

IT was a wild night, in both senses of the word. A strong wind blew down Airedale on New Year’s Eve, bringing down small branches and scattering dead leaves.

And festive revellers in my local Glusburn Park clearly had a boisterous Hogmanay, judging by the mess they left behind. Somebody has to clear up after their party and that means my pal Mick the litter picker, out soon after dawn with the accoutrements of his trade.

I joined him for his circuit of the park to see for myself. It’s not a pretty sight: loads of empty cider cans thrown into the bushes, booze and Coke bottles, many half-full, scattered round the shelter.

And in the skateboard facility, a beer bottle smashed to pieces where a child could easily fall. Some of the empties had been stuffed into a waste bin, full to overflowing and plastic glasses were strewn around. “This is the worst it’s ever been,” said Mick.

“I’ve never had to fill two bin bags before. It’s mostly kids, but some of this must be adults as well.”

Glusburn Park, the most-used public space in the village, used to close half an hour after sundown, but these days it’s open all night. There was once a full-time “parkie” but now there’s only Mick. Not even the vandals can take away the grandeur of the view across the Aire Valley to the hills behind Kildwick and Mother Nature just carries on her work.

Snowdrops and daffodils are showing their heads and heather is beginning to flower. It was an unseasonal 13C and it felt more like spring.

The days are getting longer and a 40-minute stroll before breakfast with the litter picker was just the job.

Thanks, pal.