Despair as carpets of litter return - Yorkshire Post Letters

I WRITE to comment on the article by Father Neil McNicholas headlined “Selfish new generation of litter louts” (The Yorkshire Post, July 8).

As we return to “normality”, is it not welcome to see that some things have not changed?

The colourful carpet of litter that again decorates our road edges, verges, gardens, and even the grounds of the local cemetery and crematorium is a sure sign that take-away food establishments are once more operating.

Indeed, even before I was aware that the local branch of McDonald’s had reopened, a newly discarded drinks container and food tray had made the announcement for them.

Their thoughtful customers obviously want to share that all is as it was before lockdown.

Particularly welcome are the half-eaten portions of food that support local wildlife, especially our local pigeons and rats. The small plastic containers of sauces are certainly gratefully received by all.

A nice addition to the above are discarded PPE gloves and masks...

I join with Father Neil McNicholas in absolute and abject despair.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor