Wick provost praises volunteers for tidying the town and condemns unsightly shop fronts
Wick Paths Group (WPG) put out a “last minute” plea for volunteers to help clear up areas of the town on Saturday morning and were commended by the local provost.
John Bogle, WPG secretary, said he was delighted that 10 people managed to come out to clear up the area with 11 bags of rubbish collected in total.
“It was a last minute thing,” said John.
“I only messaged out on Friday, and I expected maybe 5 to turn up, so I was delighted when 10 came along. The shore opposite the French restaurant is always bad with waste washed in on the tide, plus food containers and bottles from carry-outs.
“However, there were enough of us to do all the other areas as well. I am always amazed at the response we get from our volunteers.”
The volunteers had a very busy morning with the group working hard for an hour before rain came down.
“The shore in front of the French restaurant; the grassy area beside it; the road in front; most of the Old Mart car park; the shore from the Camps car park to the bottom of Scalesburn; along with Martha Terrace and River Street were cleared with 11 bags of rubbish plus some bigger items being collected.”
Earlier in the morning, WPG member Allan Bruce had single-handedly cleared the edges at the kerbs on the road leading down under the railway bridge and up to the caravan park.
John added: “Well done, Brucer, for making a much nicer arrival appearance for visitors to the caravan park. The contractor working on the new reception building at the caravan park has also swept the access road for motorhomes.”
Wick and east Caithness councillor and town provost Jan McEwan said: “The litter picking and the paths volunteers are doing an amazing job making the town look better. It’s great to see some folk taking pride in the town.
“It’s just a shame that some business owners couldn’t make their shop fronts look better, in particular the absent owners. I know the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council and myself have contacted them to no avail.”
