WAS IT REALLY TOO MUCH TROUBLE?
Johnny Ireland
It was around 2001. I was enjoying a coffee outside a well-known, American-based fast-food takeaway, renowned across the world (then and now) for doing its best for the environment, when an individual, no older than 15, ate his burger and chips and then threw the packaging on the floor. He couldn’t have been more than two feet from the litter bin kindly supplied by the restaurant.
“Is there a reason you couldn’t place that in the bin?” I asked.
His reply contained more than one expletive.
I got up from my seat, picked up the carton and placed it in the bin. At which point he threw a plastic bottle on the pavement and treated me to an offensive hand gesture.
I’ve thought of that incident quite a lot recently.
Working and living in this beautiful region of ours has taught me a lot about the people of Ayrshire. My family has lived here for 25 years. During that time, I’ve learned that people care. Deeply. There are selfless individuals and groups of people tucked away in villages and towns, all doing their bit for the environment, and for each other.
On Saturday 26th April, I joined one such group (well, more than one actually) to take part in a beach clean. It was the 17th Annual Big Beach Clean which took place over 18 beaches, most of which were managed and led by Ayr Rotary Club, Alloway Rotary Club, and Ayrshire Coastal Path. Others were organised by Irvine Clean-Up Campaign, Troon Litter Team, TAG Girvan, and the 18th Ayrshire Scout Group.
I was, of course, familiar with Ayrshire Coastal Path, although, I’ve yet to walk all 106 miles of it! What I didn’t know was that the path was created and built by the Rotary Club of Ayr. It was completed in just four years, opening in 2008. The path showcases Ayrshire’s coastline at its beautiful best and, 17 years later, continues to attract visitors from all over the world.
Maintenance of the path is the responsibility of the ACP Management Board, with the help of voluntary Pathminders. And then there are those who join in with the Big Beach Clean.
I was one of 155 volunteers who took part in this brilliantly organised event, and one of around 20 who would tackle Turnberry beach. Ironically, my contacts were husband and wife team, Ron and Mhairi Ireland – no relation but we made a good trio!
The welcome couldn’t have been warmer. I wasn’t surprised. It takes a certain personality to be involved with the likes of Rotary Clubs or Inner Wheels… anything that gives something back. It’s a vocation. Personally, I think you’re born with it. It’s not something you train for, it’s hereditary, instilled by your parents.
Our meet and greet included a Health and Safety brief after which the men headed south towards Dowhill, whilst the ladies headed north to Turnberry lighthouse. Johnny Ireland? What can I say? He joined the ladies!
I quickly learned that these charitable individuals don’t court attention. This was a team effort. But how can I not mention the lady who hadn’t slept after returning from a trip to New Zealand? Straight from the airport to the beach – to pick up someone else’s rubbish!
And what a huge amount of rubbish there was. I appreciate it’s not all litter that has been discarded deliberately on the beach. Some of it has found its way from the islands (or beyond), picked up by the tide, and washed up on our shores. Other items will have come from boats. But the vast majority is the result of sheer recklessness and wanton disregard not only for the natural world, but for the health and safety of others.
Climbing the dunes wasn’t easy, and attempting to pull items embedded in the sand was difficult. In fact, one individual participating in a beach clean further up the coast, suffered a broken limb. He was assisted by multiple rescue teams including the RNLI.
Makes you think, doesn’t it?
Those of us taking part in the ‘Turnberry Bay North’ beach clean collected almost 40 bags of waste that day. Since 2006 (when preparations were being made for the opening of Ayrshire Coast Path), the Annual Big Beach Clean has resulted in the removal from the Ayrshire coastline of more than 10,000 refuse sacks of rubbish. Thanks must go to the council waste management teams, helpful farmers and various landowners who assist in the disposal of the waste.
Prior to my involvement in the Big Beach Clean, I had limited knowledge of Rotary Clubs and the fabulous work they do for charity. The same can be said of the Inner Wheel. Ladies from the Inner Wheel Club of Ayr were heavily involved with the clean-up and it was lovely to meet these self-effacing women.
I’ve since learned that the Inner Wheel Club of Ayr was founded in 1965. It’s an all-female organisation promoting friendship and encouraging community service.
The mission of Ary Rotary, established in 1934, is to enjoy fun and friendship while helping others. Apparently, it’s a great way of meeting people and making long-lasting friendships.
If my experience in the Big Beach Clean is anything to go by, I can vouch for that! It may have been an arduous task, but I met some wonderful people who do some amazing things, not least taking time out of their weekend to clean up after others. Sadly, some six hours after their litter-picking efforts, a ‘party’ took place on one of the beaches along Ayrshire Coastal Path. The following day there was outcry on social media regarding the state of the beach. Discarded glass bottles, empty cans, food packaging… Those attending the party would have walked past at least one littler bin when leaving the beach. Was it really too much trouble to dispose of their rubbish responsibly?
It’s almost 25 years since I witnessed that littering (and subsequent abuse) outside the famous fast-food restaurant. Has anything really changed?
To the Rotary Clubs, Inner Wheels, and every other organisation striving to do good, I salute you. And to the gentleman who suffered the horrible injury, get well soon. You deserve more respect.
