P5-7 pupils at Creetown Primary School have been working on environmental issues that really upset most local communities.
They have engaged with the council’s community safety team which has the remit of enforcing legislation around dog fouling and litter.
They have learned about the causes of this unnecessary behaviour and penalties imposed on offenders who are caught but decided their role was to educate the wider community.
Around four years ago a similar project was run in the school, sponsored by Rupert Gourlay of Creebridge Vets and Terry Donnelly of Galloway Gardening Services, but the pupils have had to revisit the same problem.
The original project was well praised by Richard Arkless, who was the MP at the time, for good community work by the school.
Numerous temporary dog fouling signs, designed by the pupils and carrying all the organisations’ logos, were erected at the known dog fouling hotspots in the area.
As the school has had to revisit the problem four years down the line, it was decided to produce two three-metre long banners to drive the message home.
Kirkmabreck Community Council was so impressed with the project, Martin Armstrong came along to assist the pupils in erecting the temporary signs.
He said: “We in the Community Council are very keen to work with the children – the future of our community – on any environmental project.
“I do hope that irresponsible dog owners in the village heed the children’s plight.”
P5 pupil Ally Gourlay said: “I hope my dog fouling poster will make a difference to the community.
