Praise for Wick's litter-picking volunteers
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Public-spirited individuals have been praised for taking it upon themselves to pick up litter in and around Wick.
Their efforts were highlighted by Allan Bruce at this week's meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC).
Mr Bruce is at the forefront of local efforts for the annual Spring Clean Scotland campaign. It runs nationally from March 15 to April 28 this year and there will be three litter-picking sessions in Wick during that period.
"One of the great things that we're seeing happening in and around Wick is the increased amount of volunteers that are going out on their own to do litter picks, outwith the organised ones that we're doing," Mr Bruce told fellow community councillors.
"It's clear to see the difference that is being made."
The first of Wick's Spring Clean Scotland events is on Sunday, March 17, concentrating on the Grizzly Park and South Head area. Volunteers are asked to meet at the old herring mart at Wick harbour.
The second litter-pick is scheduled for Wick Airport Industrial Estate and the nearby forest area on Sunday, March 31. The meeting place is behind Sutherland Brothers' premises.
The final event on Sunday, April 21, will cover the riverside area and the meeting place is the car park opposite the Norseman Hotel. All three events have 10am start time.
Spring Clean Scotland is run by the environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.
Meanwhile, Mr Bruce has been liaising with the owners of the South Road retail park on the subject of overflowing litter bins.
"I managed to establish who looks after the retail park because on several occasions over the last few weeks the situation with rubbish in the bins has been horrendous – spewing out onto the walkways," he said.
"They're based in Manchester and to be fair they've responded quite quickly on that matter.
"I just requested if that could be done more regularly because there was clear evidence that people were obviously using the bins.
"The other thing I asked about was the drystone dyke that is the boundary of the retail park. It has collapsed in several places.
"I put it to them that that's really the gateway to our town, and we talk about first impressions.
"Again I've got a warmish feeling that they are going to look at that as well."
Highland councillor Raymond Bremner said he had established that the bell-mouth junction giving access to the retail park and the nearby Lidl store is Lidl's responsibility. There have been concerns about the state of the road surface.
Mr Bruce gave an update on the activities of Wick Paths Group, of which he is also vice-chairman. It is a subgroup of RBWCC.
He reported that an Inverness-based cartographer will be producing maps showing the four main walking routes around Wick – the South Head, the North Head, the Newton Hill loop and the riverside.
High-vis vests featuring the paths group logo have been ordered, while a couple of members recently went to assist volunteers from the John O’Groats Trail in the Sarclet area.
Paths group chairman Willie Watt managed to move heavy boulders that had been blocking the access road to the North Baths outdoor pool following recent storms.
