It’s seagull season again, and as usual at this time of year the horrible noise begins before dawn, the gull chicks mew pathetically on the rooftops (or in the street when they fall off, cannot fly and are abandoned) and the adults queue by the benches on the quay and in the churchyard, hoping to be fed the odd chip or snatch a pasty or ice cream. And, of course, they raid the black sacks and waste bins, leaving a swathe of debris strewn across the roads and pavements. Worse, as the chicks get older they pick up the bad habits of their parents.
Early risers out for the morning paper, or to water the allotment before it’s too hot, will see this and sigh. Those who get up late will not because, as if by magic, all the mess has been tidied away.
By whom?
Shane and his team do an early morning round, picking up the litter, emptying the bins and replacing the liner bags. Many people will never see them but without them Rye would be a festering mess. So let’s not forget the secret army of bin men, often ignored and probably never even spoken to or thanked by Rye residents. So this is a public thank you to Shane and colleagues to the diligent crew who have the unpleasant task of clearing up every day, and who don’t complain.
Image Credits: Andrew Barnji .
Yes the whole team deserve praise they walk miles cleaning up
Well done lads
Wonderful people. We are so very grateful for all their hard work. Most Sunday nights the quayside looks like a rubbish dump and then the magic happens and all is cleared away. Well done and a big thank you.
I would like to add my gratitude to Shane and the others. I have seen him everywhere in and around the Town. He must be the fittest man in Rye
What a pity that people( todays society) don’t take their rubbish home or use the bins proved to save the same society paying for the clearing up through their council tax
.
Agree with what Richard wrote…we know, Shane knows that some of those who only stay a short while residence and those who live here use the bins for more than the odd item instead of their own or indeed take it with them..thus filling to over flowing the public bins which the birds have worked out they can scavenge…plus if the public only crushed before putting in the bins there would have more room for every one else to reduce over flowing..
For 43 years I personally have always appreciated those who keep Rye clean for us..
Having known the lads for many years and see how they have kept our streets , bins and verges clean, l think they have done and continue to do a fantastic job.
Summer winter what ever the weather you will see them working away.
Thanks a lot to Paul and Shane also to all who participate in this worthwhile
Service.
The sound (and sight) of seagulls is one of my favourite aspects of living by the coast. Unfortunately, they will only scavenge if there is rubbish that is accessible. Here in Hastings Old Town the households are given gull/fox/badger-proof refuse sacks by our local council, which prevents mess and mayhem on refuse collection days. However, I totally agree with the praise due to our local cleaners; ours is called Paul. THANK YOU!