BIG BONFIRE VICTORY

Evening Star, Issue 20633, 5 November 1930, Page 14

BIG BONFIRE VICTORY

ATTACK ON LITTER FIENDS “WAR” IN THE NEW FOREST. Levies from all parts of Hampshire joined forces on a recent Saturday to wage grim war on the litter “fiends” who had been spoiling the amenities of the New Forest. Titled landowners went into action check by jowl with their cottagers, generals fought side by side with Girl Guides, while motorists with luxury ears dashed into the fray with those who arrived by bicycle or bus. The war was a democratic one, in which prongs and sacks played a prominent part. Banners bearing such slogans as “Keep the Forest Clear,” “Less Litter,” and “Bury Your Rubbish ” were seen in the deployed x-anks of the skirmishers. The leaders in this war on untidiness were Lady Montagu of Beaulieu, Mrs W. Frank Perkins, Mrs Sybella Baylift',, Viscountess Frankfort, and the Hon. Mrs Stuart Wortley. The object of the demonstration was to impress the public with the enormity of the offence of scattering litter in this famous beauty spot. Punctually at noon the advance guard of the anti-litter army arrived, ready for battle. They were Girl Guides. An hour later hostilities had started. Forces from Southampton, Bournemouth, Brockcnhurst, Lyndhurst, Lymington, and other places in and about tho forest attacked en masse.

By early afternoon the enemy was being chased up and down the glades, along the roads and across open spaces, prodded and poked and scooped up. Tho attackers vied with each other to see who could inflict tho heaviest casualties in the shortest time.

The driver of a car bearing a Bristol number plate, pulled up beside the crusaders in a lonely part of the forest and asked, “ What is tho idea? ” When told ho asked if ho could help. “Rather! Come on!” was the reply. Me drove to Brockenhurst, and returned half an hour later with a stick into which he had driven a long nail, and with this ho joined in tho good work

When the “ Ceaso fire” was sounded the victorious army assembled at Bench Hill, Lyndhurst, where they deposited their loads of spoil in an incinerator. The bonfire was followed by a picnic, in which scores of people took part.