I WALK to The Pimple on Whitchurch Down on many days to enjoy the fresh air, the glorious views, and the peacefulness.

For several years, on occasion I have noticed that someone has been up there and eaten an orange but instead of taking the skin home for disposal has left it on the ground or on the seat.  Sometimes, depending on the weather, the peel has become bloated by rainwater, or even frozen.

Last Tuesday I was disgusted to find about half a sliced loaf and what looked like the substantial remains of a pasty, spread out  just where many people like to sit.  And yesterday, dumped on the slatted seat on the side of the little building,  was a bucket-full size mound comprising mainly potato peelings and other vegetable and fruit waste, and even eggshells.  Some of this dustbin refuse had overflowed on to the ground and many of the peelings had slipped through the wooden slats of the seat on to the concrete.

Apart of the revolting effects for any of the people and visitors who visit or explore The Pimple every day, there is the welfare of livestock to consider.  Many of the ponies and their foals that currently graze the moor go up the slopes to this high point.  They are plump and healthy and have ample grass – their natural food – across the length and breadth of the Down.  But some, including inquisitive foals, may be tempted to sample other things that they find, including such rubbish which would not be beneficial to their digestive systems.      

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