Litter in Rivers
The Camlin & District Anglers Club have reported significant littering at bridges over local rivers in the county. For example on the Ardagh Road and at Mullagh Bridge there were black bags of rubbish thrown into the local rivers. The Camlin & District Anglers Club are calling for action to be taken to catch those responsible.

Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

Santa, let me tell you about a problem we have firstly. Our helpers have been only tidying the approach roads since the end of October and have not done any tidying around the town since then, five weeks ago. We had a quick look around the town area over the weekend to see if there had been any change in that five weeks.

The results made us feel very disappointed, Santa. There was lot of litter at Breaden's Lane, rear of the Old Garda station, Paric Colum Heights, Templemichael Terrace, Farnagh Hill, Longford County Council (Camlin court) car park, along railway line at the railway station itself, most construction sites around town, Ardnacassa Avenue, rear lanes of Anally Park & Anally Gardens, St Michael's Road, entrance lane to side of Dunnes Stores and at rear, side alleys off Midland & Anally Court, Little Water Street, part of Townspark Industrial Estate, Teagasc grounds, O'Connor Park and roadway area at Templemichael.

Now, Santa, don't think we've been naughty all the time. In fact we have been very good most of the year. Litter habits improved greatly over the year and the reindeers will notice that our main streets look well. Many buildings and parts of some streets look so much better now. The Council even made the area beside the Post Office nice - bet you noticed that when you were collecting all your letters, Santa.

But Santa, we still keep finding lot of litter in so many parts of the town. All other towns tell us that the only way to keep the place tidy on an ongoing basis is for the Council to take over litter removal for ALL parts of a town, supported by people living in the town also playing their role. And it requires attention all the time - even towns that gained first place in the IBAL league tell us that, Santa. They also tell us that when they relaxed their efforts, a lot of litter starts appearing again, often within days.

We expect a good result for Longford from those IBAL people in the coming week but an increase in activity by both Councils is still needed. Santa , we're worried. IBAL said we were naughty boys in 2002 but that we were very good in 2003. We want to stay that way, Santa. But if the Council doesn't take on a lot of the work done by volunteers, then the efforts by all the helpers over the last year will have been in vain. Please Santa, don't let this happen. We like having a tidy town and we notice that it makes most people happy and proud.

HAVE YOU BEEN GOOD ? YOUR LAST CHANCE!
With Santa coming soon, we tidied up the Bypass road and the Dublin Road from the Black bridge towards Shroid. While this was our third visit to this area in three weeks, we still filled a staggering five large refuse sacks and much of this arose from road works carried out recently.

We meet again on Saturday at 3.00 at AIBP car park. This Saturday we will focus on Farneyhoogan and the area generally around Ballymacormack Cemetry and back in towards town on the Athlone Road. We appeal for helpers - it will only take an hour of your time and it's your last chance to impress Santa for 2003. Come on - get into the Christmas spirit !