July 12, 2014

Dear Sir,

If we plan and hope to host these big sports events, we better clean up this island, and fast, otherwise there will be no returns, and we will have missed the greatest opportunity Bermuda will ever have.

As I walk around Hamilton I am ashamed at the dirty side walks, gutters, alley ways that connect two streets. The beaches seem to be neglected, shameful,. What’s the matter with us, don’t we care?

As much as possible the streets should be hosed down outside and in front of each shop especially outside drinking and eating places early every morning. when of course there is no water shortage, and all garbage bags emptied by 8am. I remember these practices were automatic and taken for granted with Keep Bermuda Beautiful.

Re enforce “Keep Bermuda Beautiful” Visits to schools where the above is talked about on a regular basis. Competitions held for the best advert ideas, get the children involved with the teachers and parents to make this a big thrust of awareness for all of us to take responsibility to “Keep Bermuda Beautiful.” encourage a group to allow themselves to be photographed cleaning outside the gates of their school. Ask The Royal Gasette ( no sed sorry ) to help with competitions and rewards for the best efforts and suggestions. I remember a call a long time ago to a cleanup appeal, and we all did an area of our choice and spent a morning or afternoon, sweeping and bagging, a suggestion on that chosen day which should be designated by a Government Department to wear green.

Make it fun, make it a party, make it a family outing, perhaps on a weekend.

Why have we lost site of these basic healthy habits, taken for granted several years ago ? Cleanliness in the city and all around this lovely little island was noted for its beauty and pristine appearance by all the visitors who would always comment. I remember when I first came to the island, the very first impression was, how clean and fresh everything looked , and there was a perfume in the air.

We can all help to keep our own little area clean and tidy, hedges cut and overhanging branches pruned to help the garbage trucks, and pick up and sweep little dirty places when we see them, that will make all the difference.

Come on Graham, let’s light a spark of enthusiasm.

A good scrub down of walls and windows, a lick of paint, we could have our island smelling like a rose !. and welcoming our guests with pride.

DIANA WILLIAMS