I was disheartened to see the football pitch at Carnie strewn with litter once more. Most of it consisted of plastic bottles – of all shapes and sizes – but there was also fag packets, tabbies, clothes, wooly hats, discarded inhalers as well as broken glass, chewing gum and sweetie papers.

There are organised teams who use the pitch on a regular basis, but the use of the pitch, I think, works best and always has done because kids can pop on and have an informal game of football as and when they like.

The facility is being spoiled though for everybody.  I have previously encountered dogs being exercised on the pitch, kids on their bikes tearing along the surface and there’s the litter problem.

Local people stopped me tonight to say how well used the area is but they didn’t like the mess.  I filled ten black bags of rubbish from the pitch and the outside boundary. I have asked Aberdeenshire Council to brush the surface and pick up the remainder of the rubbish – broken glass and the smaller pieces of paper – and also if they can provide a bin or couple of bins for pitch-users.

I have also asked if the sand pile can be removed from the car park and the area around the pitch and car park be cleared of weeds.

Other residents I spoke to while on site tonight commented on the state of the field behind the pitch which leads to Carnie Woods. Problems there include dog poo, drainage and general untidyness. This piece of land is managed by Greenbelt so I would hope to have some action from them also.

I was heartened to speak to residents who do care about their surroundings and delighted to hear from one who wanted to be involved in the litter pick group to keep Westhill & Elrick tidy!

Let’s get Carnie tidied up!