I AM not doing any trumpet blowing but for medical reasons I have been advised to do a certain amount of walking and my choice is to go around the parish covering a different area each day, taking in a bit of one of my favourite areas, the airfield.

I carry a bag and litter picker. What I find odd are one or two things: 1, why do people carry full containers but can't take away the empty ones; 2, people putting dog poo in little bags and not taking them home.

I am sure that you will agree we are lucky to live in such a lovely part of the British Isles, it is total disrespect.

There are a couple of times that I have seen ponies nibbling empty containers and in one case I have taken one from a foal.

We have our wonderful troops fighting for this country so let's do our bit by looking after it. Every day we see in the news those poor, and I mean poor, people in foreign countries that have nothing. I could go on.

Den Fairchild

Buckland Moncahorum

I KNOW there have been letters about the massive amount of dog mess there seems to be on our paths/pavement in Tavistock.

Why doesn't the council employ a warden on a basic salary and then give him/her commission on every fine they issue?

It will give someone employment which the council could afford.

Any warden around here on a commission-based pay would 'clean up' if you will excuse the pun.

It would give the warden an incentive to actually look for people and fine them instead of hiding in a van and doing nothing.

It would generate money for our town, which could pay for some signs (not the ones on lampposts but proper signs), to say you can and will be fined if you do not clear up after your dog and to double the dog bin collection, which we all know are usually so full there is a lovely pile of bags on the floor beside them.

I live in Mitre Close and cycle to town on a regular basis. It can be clearly seen the times a warden needs to look for these selfish people (and I know its only a minority) is early mornings and early evenings when they think no-one will see them skulking off after their beloved pooch has done its business not just 9am to 5pm when most people are at work.

It seems people are actually driving to Monksmead early in the morning to take their dog for a walk, or is it a walk? because as soon as the dog's done its business they are back in the car five minutes later. If the dog just wanted a walk they could take it anywhere but no, it's much more enjoyable for a dog doing its toilet on grass (which I will not even let my children walk on now) and driving off, no doubt leaving a nasty surprise for any unsuspecting person to walk in..

Let's do something about this once and for all so we can all enjoy our areas with paths and meadows, or we may as well fence the whole lot off to keep the dogs in and the public out!

If Tavistock could employ a warden on commission I'm sure unreasonable dog owners would think twice before walking away not cleaning up after their dog, knowing it could cost them if they did.

D Turner

Mitre Close

Tavistock