Councillor stunned at lack of community spirit

The Christmas trees which were dumped close to the official collection point

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A Rochdale Councillor has spoke of how stunned he was to see residents dumping their Christmas trees so close to an official collection point.

Councillor Dale Mulgrew was bemused when he noticed people carelessly leaving their trees at the Council Christmas tree collection point on Bentley Street.

Councillor Mulgrew saw trees dumped less than 200 yards from the point and is stunned that residents who had travelled to drop the trees off didn’t continue to travel a little bit further to dispose of them.

Councillor Mulgrew, said: "We all grumble at the Council, but in this instance, when the Council is actively providing a service to assist local residents with their seasonal rubbish, it is beyond me why individuals can just dump their used Christmas trees in such a deliberately carefree manner.

"Once more it makes you question whether or not this is symptomatic of a wider community malaise."

Councillor Mulgrew added: "But then I know that during my travels before Christmas I came across a cul-de-sac off Hurst Meadow, in the New Broad Lane area of my ward, where all the neighbours had clearly pulled together in a very communitarian fashion to clear each drive and the entire street of snow."

Councillor Mulgrew concluded: "I think as a Rochdale community we need to champion and highlight good instances of neighbourhood spirit, so that we shame those individuals who are hell bent on not providing a common benefit. Maybe there is a role for the local media in this aim?"