I live a few doors down from The Grange and have been here 7 years. I walk on the common everyday with my dog and can't tell you how frustrating it is to see the mess left by people using this common space.There are many issues that are mainly brought here by people who are not resident in this area. I have seen people come with there take-away food and eat it then just get up and walk away from the rubbish, the last time I confronted them I got a torrent of abuse. The issue is people don't care because they dont live here. There are people who booze on the benches, feet away from bins who then leave the remnance of cans and bottles on the floor. People fly tip on the common, they relevie themsleves and this morning I even found a dirth nappy left by a bench. There are also many buildings which have bedsits in them where the occupants and owners do not care which also brings down the neighbourhood.Having said all that there are also many of us who are keeping our homes tidy and well maintained. There are more people and companies developing the neighbourhood and it is looking better in areas. The common is used for funfairs/circus/religous festivals. The best I have seen is Eid, where after there are many muslims walking the common to clean up from there festivities. The line of shops by the station is trying hard to regenerate. The new butchers/deli is a great start, the fishmonger is still there, the Japanesse food and veg shops are amazing and the Japanesse restaurants are all very good. But if we want to help we need to spend money in these businesses.Well those are my comments and thoughts. I love living here and having the open space of the common and to hear the church bells on a Sunday. I don't like the people that use the facilities and leave their rubbish in my "hood but unless the council step up what can be done?
Jamie Fuller ● 4092d