Pick up poop say Cranbrook kids

Children of St Martin’s Primary School have been creating a new poster design to encourage Cranbrook residents to clean up after their dogs.

Children at the school recently heard from Cranbrook Councillor Karen Jennings at an assembly about the dog fouling around the town. Children were asked if they could help teach adults to be responsible pet owners, to help make Cranbrook a great place to live.

Cranbrook Town Councillor Karen Jennings said:
“The competition teaches the children the importance of picking up after their dog.

“The winner Isabella Edge, aged 5, will have her design on winning posters which will be put up around the town. The two runners-up were James Dogan (aged 10) and Lake Giles (aged 9). All winners received a prize of a £10 book voucher.

“Cranbrook Town Councillors are always looking for ways to work together with partners like the Consortium, the schools and East Devon District Council to create a town that we’re all proud of.

“I would like to thank the children and the judges for taking part. I would also like to thank Karen Arnett, East Devon District Council’s Technical Officer, for all her hard work."

Winners were chosen by a panel of judges including Cllr Karen Jennings, Mike Owen (Cranbrook Consortium), Janet Wallace and Karen Arnett (East Devon District Council).

Congratulating the schoolchildren, Councillor Iain Chubb, East Devon District Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said:
“The competition is a great way to teach children the importance of picking up after their dogs, as well as encouraging their parents, brothers and sisters to do the same.

“Residents of Cranbrook want the town to be clean and this has been a great idea to involve our young people.”

Tania Beard, Head teacher of St Martin’s Primary School, said:
“Around 60 pupils took part in the competition and Isabella is over the moon that her posters are to go on show around the town.

"The whole school has enjoyed learning about why our paths and pavements must remain free from dog mess. They were keen to be creative to encourage people to pick up their pets' poop."

Mike Owen, Cranbrook Consortium, said:
“It was a tough competition and a very hard decision to choose the winner because there were so many brilliant designs.

“We feel the winner shares the very important message around Cranbrook, encouraging people to clean up after their dogs.”

If a person is witnessed not picking up after their dog by East Devon District Council officers, a fixed penalty of £80 will be served on the person in charge of the dog at the time the offence is witnessed.

Picture shows L-R: Cranbrook Town Councillor Karen Jennings, East Devon District Council's Portfolio Holder for the Environment Cllr Iain Chubb, East Devon District Council's Janet Wallace, Cranbrook Consortium's Mike Owen and front Isabella Edge