Pupils lead way in clean-up campaign

AN ANTI-LITTERING and dog-fouling campaign has taken off in Thornhill, with primary pupils leading the way. Prior to the school holidays pupils and staff at Wallace Hall Primary School had noticed litter and dog poo within the school grounds, and at times had happened within the fenced Multi Use Games Area (MUGA). All classes were given presentations by the council’s community safety team, which raised numerous ideas on what could or could not be done, the school decided to do a poster campaign on dog fouling and littering. The school set about designing their own no dog fouling and no litter posters, as the standard council ones seem simply to be ignored. Recently some of the children were out and about putting their posters up, accompanied by the community safety team and representatives from Thornhill Community Council and Thornhill MUGA Group. Sarah McDiarmid, depute head teacher from Wallace Hall Primary School, said: “Our pupils are concerned about the continued issues with dog fouling and littering around Thornhill, especially in the school grounds and on the MUGA. “Our Pupil Rights Squad see it as a breach of their right to play safely and shared this at a recent rights assembly. The poster campaign was led by the rights squad, and they really hope that these irresponsible dog walkers and litterers will take heed of their posters.” Andrew McKinley, chair of Thornhill MUGA added: “It is simply not acceptable for litter and especially not dog fouling to be discarded on a sports field, never mind with a fenced games playing area. I would encourage anyone who witnesses an offender to report them.” Elizabeth Shelby, secretary of Thornhill Community Council said: “It is great to see children in our community identifying an issue and tried to do something about it. I would encourage all to take heed of what the children say on their posters.”