Dromore community comes together to clean up the countryside

Hundreds of local residents took to the roads around Dromore over the weekend for a major litter pick aimed at cleaning up the countryside.

On Sunday, I stood amidst a bustling crowd gathered for a final day of the ‘Big Spring Clean’. Families and individuals alike, armed with gloves and litter-pickers, were about to embark on their mission to reclaim the town from the clutches of litter.

From our meeting place at the town’s big clock, we set out toward the recycling centre, or ‘the dump’ as it’s more popularly known, to observe the bags of rubbish which had already been gathered.

The scene was both heartening and sobering. Bags upon bags of litter, piled high like monuments to communal resolve, bore witness to the tireless efforts of the previous day. Families recounted their encounters with discarded nappies and car boots filled with refuse, underscoring the pervasive nature of the problem.

On Saturday, the length and breadth of the countryside around Dromore, families tackled the rubbish one road at a time, snapping a picture beside their road sign as a momento of their good deeds.

While the hard work of the community at the weekend should not be understated, it must be noted that lifting litter is a regular endeavour for some – but not enough – people in Dromore.

It’s the tireless work of these dedicated individuals that keeps our town looking pristine all year round.

As the group separated, each with a different litter-laden area to tackle, I was dispatched to the familiar surroundings of Stoney Batter to lift any trace of rubbish I could spy.

I was, truthfully, sceptical about the amount of litter I would find, considering I drive the road daily.

But when I got to lifting, the litter was endless.

What seemed like a pristine landscape revealed hidden pockets of debris, quietly awaiting discovery.

Tucked away in the nooks and crannies of nature, litter patiently waited to be lifted before it ominously sunk into the earth, there to remain for years without decay – posing a threat to local wildlife and their habitats.

With each piece of litter lifted, I felt a profound sense of satisfaction – not just for the tangible impact I was making, but also for the intangible connection forged with my community.

By the end, I had filled a full bag of Bridge Road rubbish.

After bidding farewell to my fellow litter crusaders, I carried with me a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself. And while the road ahead may be littered with obstacles, I am confident that together, we can overcome them – one piece of rubbish at a time.

Local councillor Colette McNulty shared some pertinent advice following the pick.

She said, “There was a fantastic turnout in and around the town and countryside and we all got such satisfaction and were proud of our hard work. Unfortunately, I’ve seen evidence of fresh littering since.

“I would like to appeal to those people who are littering to think before you act! If you live here… respect and love here,” Colette added.

This year’s ‘Big Spring Clean’, organised by Dromore Health and Wellbeing, with assistance from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Live Here Love Here, saw a total of 190 bags of rubbish collected by the end of the weekend.

One of the organisers said, “We are delighted at the success of our litter pick this year. It was great to see over 160 volunteers, including children, having collected almost 200 bags of litter.

“Our campaign was designed to raise awareness of our litter problem and to encourage people to take pride in their area and certainly the people of Dromore came out in force to support this cause.”