I live only 10 mins from Delamere Forest. I walk there most days with the canine idiot I call a dog. Not 5 mins from the road there is regular evidence of people practicing some form of t.v inspired bushcraft. The bones of shelters tried and failed, the remains of a fire, the plastic bags of rubbish ready meals, pre-packed barbeques, empty beer cans and piles of crap. I was so bloody disgusted by the sight last week I took photo's just to make sure I wasn't seeing things.
Low and behold, two days later the shelter had been improved and added to. The fire scar was growing and the rubbish had been replaced (I carry a bin bag, pack it and bin it. An old habit taught by David Bellamy) by more cans, different wrappers and fresh excrament.
I'd hate to think that someone that uses this forum is to blame but who knows?
All you can do is clear it up and hope. (or lurk in the shadows with a really nice longbow)
Mike
I get exactly the same sort of thing.
this is exactly what I was trying to point out the other week! ( one of commandocals posts I think) If you leave anything behind, anywhere except on your own, personal land-your a vandal.
No excuses, because the first half wit to come along to 'have a go at bushcraft' , as you say; 'inspired by T.V.' ( although, if we're honest, most of the people on here are or at least were inspired by T.V.) think that it must be fine to do exactly as they please.
Immaturity has a lot to do with it but the main evil is idleness, the people who leave stuff behind are just lazy, ignorant and generally self centered
As far as charva's, porch monkeys, toadies, less advantaged, troubled or just generally obnoxious youth goes;
Well, I'm regularly approached to run 'some bushcrafty stuff' for kids who are; E.G. 'being educated outside the mainstream', ' under priviledged' ( but all smoke like chimney's and wear the latest, loudest trainers) basically dog turds with legs!
I simply wont entertain these groups because I regularly see them arrive in our woodland park 'supervised' by people who dont give a toss! they are extremely ill disciplined and poorly managed at best.
What happened to discipline? in most of these groups, made up of the above, all that is missing is real leadership. The pitiful examples I see shouldn't really be looking after 'troubled' or 'challenging' kids.
We had a group come through last year who were supposed to be 'being saved', they were from 'underprivileged' area's etc and needed to be 'shown the way'
One of the horrible, despicable, little turds decided he didn't want to play at putting in sign posts and benches, so told the 'supervisor' to:' F-off , here man ye cannit mek is dee this sxxt man!' (you need to try to imagine the high pitched, screechy, whine of a voice)
So! what happens next? the boss man tells the turdy to go for a walk and have think about what he's doing there and come back when he thinks he might have an answer.
An hour later, we've lost about an acre of mixed scots pine with oak, birch, hazel and rowan thrown in. turdy decided he was 'bored' so he set fire to the dead grass along the forest road edge with his lighter!
As far as I know, nothing relevant was done about it,although this particular group have not been asked back.
By the way, dont talk to me about being 'under privileged' I had one pair of trousers for school, a new pair of shoes every 2 years( whether I needed them or not) and vividly remember helping my dad dig out coal from old railway embankments 4 miles from where we lived and then cart it home over the cross bar of an old bike.
I for one would be delighted if national service was brought back in! failing that, a flame thrower should sort it all out!:AR15firin
Most sincerely
R.B. (45 by the way so, No! I'm not an ex National Serviceman)
I hope so!
