Cubs clean up at Trinity Hill

1st LYM Valley Cubs kindly offered their services to the local community on Sunday 9 June when they carried out a sponsored Litter Pick on the Trinity Hill Local Nature Reserve. The event was part of Scout Community Week, allowing an opportunity for groups across the UK to raise the money needed to deliver what Scouting does best – adventurous activities locally, every week.

The event was led by Nature Reserves Ranger Jim Hunter of the East Devon District Council Countryside team, who said: "We are very grateful to the Cubs for their help and their enthusiasm in keeping this Nature Reserve tidy for the benefit of the whole community."

The morning at the nature reserve also gave the Cubs the chance to meet some of the inhabitants of the heathland. The recent warm weather has enticed our native British reptiles out of hibernation, and two slow worms, our native legless lizards, were found sheltering under the felts placed on the Nature Reserve. Towards the end of the walk the group was fortunate enough to see a beautiful adder curled up in the heath enjoying the sunshine. Adders are shy creatures, and, faced with an audience of nearly 30 people, she slipped off quietly into the undergrowth.

Litter is not the main problem on the Nature Reserve; most people are conscientious and take their rubbish away with them and this helps to keep it an attractive place to come. Sadly the same cannot be said for a minority of dog walkers who still do not clean up after their pets, and the dog faeces left behind at the site was the only down side of an otherwise glorious morning.  Hopefully the cubs’ community spirit will spread to other users of the site so that it can continue to be enjoyed by everyone.