Brownies take action against dog fouling in Wetheral
The 1st Wetheral Brownies identified a hotspot along a public path, recording 29 piles of dog mess and handing out poo bags to dog walkers as part of Operation T.U.R.D (Together, United for Responsible Dog Ownership).
Their work contributed to earning their 'Speak Out' badge and led to a visit from Cumberland Council officers, who presented them with a certificate of appreciation.
Councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places at Cumberland Council, said: "It's fantastic to see our younger residents, like the 1st Wetheral Brownies, showing such commitment to keeping their community clean and taking real pride in where they live.
"Congratulations to them on earning their Speak Out badge; they've truly used their voices to make a difference.
"Their actions set a powerful example for all of us, from identifying local issues to engaging directly with dog walkers, they've shown maturity, initiative, and genuine community spirit."
Operation T.U.R.D aims to promote responsible dog ownership and keep public spaces clean.
During the visit, council officers met with Cllr Stephen Higgs, vice chair of the parish council, and landowners from the area to discuss ongoing concerns about dog fouling along the route highlighted by the Brownies.
Details provided by the group, including descriptions of walkers and vehicles, are set to be used to support upcoming enforcement work.
Cllr Rollo said: "Cumberland Council has a zero-tolerance policy on dog fouling, and this campaign demonstrates that education, engagement, and enforcement can deliver real results.
"We're serious about protecting public spaces and ensuring everyone can enjoy clean, safe environments.
"When we work together – with responsible dog owners, community groups, and local leaders – we really can make a lasting difference."
The council plans to begin 'intensive' patrols in the area as a result of the Brownies' findings.
The group is also planning another community litter pick as part of its work towards earning an additional badge.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Archaeologist solves 'jigsaw puzzle' of Ancient Roman fragments hidden for nearly two millennia
Researchers in London recently announced that a giant "archaeological puzzle" has been solved, revealing artwork that's been hidden for 1,800 years. The Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) announced in a June 17 press release that one of its experts successfully reconstructed a collection of Roman wall plaster. (See the video at the top of this article.) The collection of painted ancient plaster is the largest ever discovered in London – and it took an enormous amount of work. "The decorated plaster was found dumped in a large pit, shattered into thousands of fragments," the museum's statement noted. "It took three months for MOLA Senior Building Material Specialist Han Li to lay out all the fragments and painstakingly piece the designs back together." The mosaic once decorated a high-status Roman building in the Central London district of Southwark, officials said. The building "was demolished some time before AD 200," MOLA's statement read. "These beautiful frescoes once decorated around 20 internal walls of an early Roman (AD 43-150) building," the museum noted. "These vibrant artworks can be reconstructed to reveal their full glory." "Now, for the first time in over 1800 years, these vibrant artworks can be reconstructed to reveal their full glory." Officials said the fresco was designed to show off the property owner's wealth, as well as its good taste. They noted the fresco includes "yellow panel designs with black intervals beautifully decorated with images of birds, fruit, flowers and lyres." "Finding repeating yellow panels like these is [rare] … While panel designs were common during the Roman period, yellow panels weren't," the museum said. "They have been identified at only a few sites across the country." "Tragically, the fragment is broken where the painter's name would have appeared." Historians also excitedly came across the remains of the artist's signature — though that identity is still lost to time. "[The signature] is framed by a tabula ansata, a carving of a decorative tablet used to sign artwork in the Roman world," the statement detailed. "It contains the Latin word 'FECIT,' which translates to 'has made this.'" "Tragically, the fragment is broken where the painter's name would have appeared, meaning the [person's] identity will likely never be known." Like many Ancient Roman discoveries, the mosaic also displayed some graffiti left behind by the owners and visitors. Among the graffiti was a drawing of a crying woman with a distinct Flavian period hairstyle, as well as the Greek alphabet. "[O]ther examples in Italy suggest that the alphabet served a practical use, such as a checklist, tally or reference," the museum said, noting that it's the only known example of its kind from Roman Britain. In a statement, archaeologist Han Li called the discovery a "once in a lifetime moment." "Many of the fragments were very delicate and pieces from different walls had been jumbled together when the building was demolished, so it was like assembling the world's most difficult jigsaw puzzle." "I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness when I started to lay the plaster out," the expert recalled. "Many of the fragments were very delicate and pieces from different walls had been jumbled together when the building was demolished, so it was like assembling the world's most difficult jigsaw puzzle." Li also remarked that "[not] even individuals of the late Roman period in London" would have seen the art, making the discovery particularly special. The discovery of the Roman fresco in London offers a vivid glimpse into the era when Romans ruled Britain, from 43 A.D. to 410 A.D. They maintained their presence in Britain for nearly four centuries before beginning their withdrawal in 410 A.D – and many remnants of their power and influence are being found today. In May, British archaeologists announced the discovery of an unusual eight-sided ring in a former drainage ditch. This winter, a Roman grave filled with gypsum was found during a highway construction project in England.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Fire crews put out heath fire started 'deliberately'
Firefighters have put out a wildfire at a nature reserve which is believed to have been started deliberately. The fire near Blackhill Road, on Holton Heath near Poole, broke out shortly before 18:00 BST on Thursday and has destroyed about 1.8 hectares (about 4.5 acres) of heath and scrubland. At its height 40 firefighters were on scene and a total of 18 different appliances, two Unimog trucks and 10 support vehicles were used to tackle the blaze found to be deep within the peat on the heath. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said the fire was now out and crews had left the scene. The service said a reinspection was due later on Saturday. DWFRS said crews found fires in multiple places on areas of the heath. The fire service said: "The cause is believed to be deliberate, and we are working closely with our colleagues at Dorset Police." An amber warning of a rising risk of wildfires is in place. The alert covers Dorset and Wiltshire. One of Dorset's national nature reserves, the area of heath is owned by Natural England and spans 117 hectares (289 acres) of woodland and lowland heath. The reserve's compact bushes provide nest sites for Dartford warblers and stonechats - its areas of bare sands are home to burrowing bees and wasps, and egg-laying sand lizards. On Tuesday evening a wildfire took hold of an area of Turbary Heath in Bournemouth. Fire investigators later said the nature reserve fire was being treated as arson and police were investigating. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Heath fire started 'deliberately' - fire service Nature reserve wildfire treated as arson New £500k vehicle to tackle heath fires Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Former watercress farm to become glamping site
Plans to turn a former watercress farm in West Sussex into a glamping site have been approved. The application for Spring Gardens, in Newells Lane, West Ashling, was given the nod by planning officers at a meeting of Chichester District Council. Until 2023, the site was home to Hairspring Watercress and the landowner Edward Scales aims to restore the site and turn it into six glamping pods. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the design statement stated the plans would "improve the rural economy" by supporting tourism demand for "provision of high-quality accommodation in the local area". IRUK Waste Planning & Consultancy, representing the developer, described the site as '"no longer agriculturally viable" in the application. A report from planning officers stated: "The proposal would result in appropriate low-key tourism use and would make a small contribution towards the economic objectives of the district by increasing overnight tourism accommodation. "The proposal would not result in any adverse impacts upon the character of the countryside, neighbour amenity, highways safety or flood risk and would result in a biodiversity enhancement." Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Hopes for tourism boost from hotel chain plan Chichester District Council Local Democracy Reporting Service Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.