Well done Lesley, you’re doing a fantastic job, let’s hope others follow suit, or better still that the litter bugs start putting their rubbish in the bins provided. Ed
It was really heart warming to hear this lovely story of civic pride which is happening every day in Ventnor. It’s this level of pride in the community and surroundings that restores one’s faith in humanity.
A while ago I discovered Lesley from The Ventnorian made herself useful in picking up rubbish other people had dropped in the central car park, the pavements around it and in Spring Hill Gardens.
We were very impressed that here was someone who took real pride in the surroundings around her shop and the local visible area. This fitted in neatly with the community values section of the town plan.
One day she mentioned to me that she nearly picked up a plastic bag until she saw what it contained (dog poo). She said to me enough was enough. She said she wanted to make a difference in her own way and would do her best but did not really feel happy picking up mess like that.
I spoke to Rob Reed the Town Manager and asked if he could give her a picker upper (he did”¦.a small one)
She took to this new tool like a duck to water and began daily chasing every piece of rubbish that could be seen, and doing her best to keep the central car park, pavements and spring gardens looking spick and span.
One day I noticed she was stooping over (I thought too much). I asked Rob to give her a long handed picker upper as we were worried about her straining her back.
She now has a new longer picker upper and is catching more rubbish quicker as a result. She enjoys what she does and she makes a real difference. Does all this good for the community and runs a busy shop, looks after her family etc.
