For immediate release:  14th August 2024

Enthusiastic members of the Appleby community, local voluntary groups, Appleby Town Councillors and many others joined forces on a beautiful sunny day to take part in the Appleby Clean-Up event on Sunday 11 August 2024. The clean up was organised by a joint Town Council and Community-led Working Party, whose remit is to find ways of addressing dog related concerns raised by members of the community.

The mission for the Appleby Clean-Up Event was to rid an area around both sides of the river, the children’s playground, The Sands and the path up to the grammar school, of any dog fouling and general litter.

A spokeswoman for the Working Party, Paula Heap said, “The day was a great success! There was a brilliant turn-out on what was a very hot day, and everyone went about the task of picking up dog fouling and general litter with gusto. Even the area around the recycling centre was cleaned up and left pristine. Thank you everyone who took part for your valiant efforts.”

The Clean-Up team included members of voluntary local groups, Appleby Wombles and Appleby Smarter, the Appleby Football & Squash Club, and the Westmorland and Furness District Support Officer for the Eden district, Richard Scoffham along with his family. Helen Gould from Old Hall Vets, the Town Council & Community-led Working Party, who organised the event, were also there.

Some family members or friends came along too, including a number of children who did a great job! The three town councillors on the working party were also joined by their fellow councillors Duncan Curley and Andy Connell.

The spokeswoman added, “We must also acknowledge the generosity of our local business owners and organisations who gave of their services, time, loan of equipment or financial sponsorship. We would like to give huge thanks to the following:

  • Paul Witterick from WittWoo who took, and provided, all the photographs pro bono
  • Helen Gould of Old Hall Vets donated boxes of gloves
  • Cakes were provided by The Crewel Work Company and Jak & Co
  • Appleby Pet Shop – donation of doggy poo bags
  • Ian Mycock – donation of doggy poo bags
  • Cover of printing costs, purchase of Hi-Viz vests and general support from Appleby Town Council
  • Loan of litter picking equipment from Appleby Emergency Response Group
  • Loan of litter picking equipment from Westmorland and Furness Council

The day was rounded off by an invitation for all volunteers to gather together in The Hub for refreshments. The room was hired from the Hub with just donations sought for tea and coffee enjoyed. The Crewel Work Company undertook to cover the cost of the hire, but other donations have since been offered. Delicious cakes were provided, with thanks to Jak & Co and Phillipa Turnbull of The Crewel Work Company. “Thank you everyone, we couldn’t have done it without you!”

The spokeswoman also wanted to highlight some disappointments as well as some positive  outcomes from the day.

“On the plus side, we had some very positive comments from members of the public who were fully supportive of our endeavours. It is clear that the community is very much behind keeping our town clean, and is deeply concerned about the prevalence of dog faeces around the area, especially on the King George V playing field. We have also had a good response from the Facebook post sharing the results of our endeavours. The Working Party are supporting the Appleby Football and Squash Club, and will be working with them going forward.”

A further concern raised by the spokeswoman was that despite numerous signs being displayed requesting that people keep their dogs on leads during a three hour period whilst the clean up was taking place, not everyone co-operated. She added, “Some dog owners came without leads, and others either didn’t see the notices or chose not to put their dog on a lead. It is very important that people observe the current Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in place insofar as it relates to dog fouling and dogs not under control. Copies of this leaflet can be found in the Tourist Information Centre.”

A new PSPO is to be formulated by Westmorland & Furness Council following a consultation period which ends on 1 September. Members of the public can access the consultation document online on the Westmorland and Furness website, or by scanning the QR code provided, or completing a paper version which can be requested. For more information and to access the consultation document, please click on this link https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/your-council/have-your-say/consultations/new-public-space-protection-order-pspo

A further disappointment was raised by the spokeswoman. “Disappointingly, however, we found many ‘presents’ left by our doggy friends and their humans, particularly along the path by the river on the Holme Wood side, and even some on the football field, which was a concern. There is a real health and safety issue here, especially for the children who are susceptible to Toxocariasis, a disease caused by a worm that forms in left over dog faeces, which can cause blindness. The football club has to scour the field every time they use it for training or holding matches which is very unpleasant in itself, but even then some can be missed, which often ends up on boots, kit and various body parts.”

Plans are being made to build on the momentum of this highly successful day to deliver what the community wants. This paper is advised that the Working Party will be meeting regularly to fully assess the extent of the challenges being faced by the community around dog fouling and Dogs Out of Control (as defined by the aforementioned PSPO), and will shortly be inviting other members of the community to apply to join the group.

A final word from the Working Party, for now, in relation to the Appleby Clean-Up day: “Let’s all work together, as a Community, to Keep Appleby Clean, tidy and free from dog fouling.”

#leaveonlypawprints

End