Jordan helps with clear up
Published: 10:46, 29 July 2009
Updated: 10:46, 29 July 2009
By Nick Evans and Emma Grove
Travellers who dumped more than 20 tonnes of rubbish in a field have been condemned for leaving a public area in a “disgusting state”.
Ward councillor for Minster Cliffs Ken Pugh (Con) is calling for police to prosecute people who left the rubbish in Scrapsgate playing field.
Earlier this month, 19 caravans were parked illegally at the field in Minster for almost a week.
Human waste, scrap metal and building rubble was reported to have been left in their wake.
A spokesman for Swale council confirmed more than 20 tonnes of rubbish had to be cleared up, at a cost of almost £1,000.
Cllr Pugh said: “The place was left in a disgusting state and it took several days to get rid of it all.
“Specialist contractors had to be called in to remove some fridges thrown in a dyke because they were thought to have contained harmful CFC gases.”
He said there were hidden costs such as council officer time, and inconvenience to sports clubs.
Cllr Pugh said: “Fly-tipping is an offence, but when I went to Scrapsgate with the police they said the law was not being broken. I am now working with them to try to find out if we can catch up with those responsible.”
Eight-year-old Jordan King thought the crisp packets, beer cans, empty food tins and broken glass which had been left behind were so unsightly he decided to do something about it.
Nature-loving Jordan, a pupil at West Minster Primary School, regularly uses the playing field when he stays with his nan, Miriam Parker of Noreen Avenue, Minster.
He asked his nan if she would take him there so he could clean it up, and she said after two days they had 14 bags full.
Upset
Mrs Parker said she didn’t let him touch anything dangerous, she cleared all the glass and dirty toilet paper, but Jordan picked up the crisp packets and plastics and anything else which was there.
She added: “Jordan loves nature and wildlife and he was really upset by the rubbish which had been left there.
“One man stopped him to tell him he was doing a good job and gave him £2.
“Me and his mum are so proud of him – he’s done a marvellous job."
Read more
Isle of SheppeyMore by this author
KentOnline reporter