News

Wigton finally got to see our beautiful new Christmas lights slap bang in the middle of the first two storms of the year, Arwen and Barra. We now have a wonderful dislay of icicles and stars across our roads, with the Memorial Fountain covered in an ever changing display of rainbow colours to see us through some of the darkest nights.

Lights are on from 3pm to 11pm each night.

Whether you’re in a space that requires you to keep your dog on a lead or they can run free, you must always pick up after your dog.

Grab a couple of dog-poo bags with you every time you go out.

If you don’t, you can be fined £100.

It is important to pick up dog poo properly because it can be a health hazard for humans and other animals. If you leave dog poo somewhere a child or adult may step in it – we all know how horrible that is – you risk making them very sick. In rare cases, it can even lead to brain damage and blindness.

Even if a dog poos somewhere you feel does not pose a risk to humans, leaving dog poo lying around could be dangerous for other dogs as it can spread parvovirus. Dog poo left on the ground can also have a very serious effect.

Whilst the vast majority of dog owners do the right thing, unfortunately it’s not 100%. We all known the ‘poo hotspots’ around Wigton – behind the Junior School, footpath to Wigton Baths, Speet Gill… and now Barton Laws football pitches. And that’s a real problem.

If you are aware of a regular dog fouling issue, you can report it on Allerdale Borough Council’s website or My Allerdale app.

https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/report/report-dog-mess/

Top tips

• Never let your dog walk too far from you as this makes it difficult to see where they foul.
• Dogs will usually foul soon after being let off the lead or out of the car/at the start of a walk so be ready.
• Pay attention at all times to what your dog is doing, don’t be distracted – especially not by your mobile ’phone!
• Always carry poo bags. It’s an offence not to carry the ‘means’ to pick up.
• Take a torch with you on dark evenings and early morning walks in winter – darkness is not an excuse for laziness.
• Dispose of bags in a dog or litter bin, or take it home to dispose of in your household bin.
• Not disposing of a bag correctly is also a dog fouling and littering offence.
• Keep your dog off sports pitches and out of children’s playgrounds.
• Even if you clean up poo from a pitch, residual deposits can remain. We’ve had youngsters covered in poo and it is disgusting.
• Dog faeces left on grazing or farm land can contaminate water courses and grass where cattle and sheep graze. These sheep and cattle may eventually find their way into the food chain.
• Please pick up after your dogs on country walks – do not use the so-called “stick and flick method.

To read more about Allerdale Borough Council’s policy on dogs in public places, visit:

https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/your-environment/dogs-public-places/

WIGTON TOWN COUNCIL

ANNOUNCEMENT

After long discussions over the uncertainties of COVID and how it will develop during the autumn, Wigton Town Council has made the decision not to hold a large-scale event this year in the High Street at the time of the switching on of the lights. The good news is that the Council has purchased new and improved Christmas lights for the centre of the town, to be switched on by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on Sunday 28th November at 5.30pm

In addition, we have funds available for community groups and estates or streets who may be organising their own event – so please get in touch with us as we may be able to help you financially.

The Festivals Committee next meet on 18^th October, at 6.30pm in Wigton Market Hall so do please come along. We would love to hear your suggestions and ideas.

We will also be running a competition for the best festive decorated house and shop window.

Looking forward to 2022, as well as the return of “Spring Fling” we plan to hold a major event on Saturday, 4^th June to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee as well as the return of the “Live at The Fountain” Christmas Extravaganza.