A highly experienced outdoor instructor who paddled across 11 bodies of water in the Lake District this summer has been impressed by the lack of litter he encountered.
Trevor Martin, who runs Weymouth-based Outdoor Activity Training Ltd, takes to the water all over the UK, from Scotland to the south coast, and usually collects litter on every trip.
But having spent six days in the Lake District, Trevor rarely came across any rubbish and has praised the Lake District National Park Authority for its efforts in cleaning up the waters.
“Not once did I see any litter either on the water or the shoreline,” said Trevor. “I don’t know if I just got lucky or this reflected the morals of the visitors that you attract or your own administration.
“I collect litter, especially plastics, whenever I can and now usually paddle with a plastic bag for the purpose. I have just paddled Loch Lomond and within just two days, collected a li-lo, a semi-submerged sit-on inflatable kayak, a large traffic cone, and a selection of plastic bottles and crisp packets!
“Paddling from Exeter I filled three large refuse bags with footballs, polystyrene food containers, plastic bottles and shopping bags.”
Trevor emailed the national park authority about his litter-free Lake District experience, and staff were happy to share the email with the large team of volunteers who regularly carry out litter-picking duties.
His email ended: “I am heartened by my experience in the Lakes. But I do wonder why you can manage it when the rest of the country so often does not. Well done.”
Peter Walter, who sits on the park authority and is also a volunteer, said ‘We often read about anti-social levels of litter and fly-camping so it was great to receive Trevor’s email.
“LDNPA staff and volunteers do a huge amount of work collecting litter and camping detritus – much of which goes on unseen. It’s not a nice job but it really does make a difference to the environment and to people’s enjoyment.”
