Tackle litter if we want a country fit for a Queen

driving to Dewsbury Hospital recently, we came off the M1 from the south at junction 40. Never have I felt so disgusted and ashamed of living in this part of Yorkshire. The litter at the side of the slip road was unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it except in Thailand over a decade ago.

Within a week, I visited my favourite place, Fountains Abbey. Leaving the A1M at junction 48, there were three striking, challenging signs strategically placed for easy reading – black letters on a yellow background. The first proclaimed “It is illegal to throw litter from your vehicle”; the second “Take your litter home” and the third “Bag it bin it”.

We certainly need these signs at junction 40 and on road sides all over the country.

There is a lady who has given exemplary service to her country for 60 years. She is about to visit many parts of her realm. This lady possesses everything which money could buy but there is a very special gift that we could give her.

We could clear up the refuse which spoils our urban and rural areas. It’s amazing how much rubbish one person can pick up in an hour.

How much more could a group achieve? It needn’t cost anything, only a little effort and surely our Queen deserves that.

Thousands of people will be visiting our nation during the Olympic Games. We have a beautiful country. Don’t we want to feel proud of it and have it looking its best?

There is an advertisement in cinemas at present. “It’s 2012 this year. Let’s make it Great, Britain.” Alleluia! And so say all of us.