Slow down and save our ducks (From Wiltshire Times)
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Slow down and save our ducks
7:00pm Sunday 28th October 2012 in Latest News
Young villagers Ali Bulpitt, left, James and Tiffany Eddington, Ryan and Kerian Bulpit, Laura Eddington and Shannon Bulpitt spell out their safety message with homemade posters.
Angry youngsters have launched their own anti-speed campaign after three of the ducks on their village pond were killed by cars in the last week.
They have been feeding the ducks on Edington’s pond for years, but seven of the birds have been killed since March, leaving only two left.
Laura Eddington, 12, said: “I was quite shocked when I heard what had happened. When I came back from school I made a poster with my mum which said ‘beware of ducks’.
“We go past the pond on the way to the park, and we always give bread to the ducks.”
Villager Pam Hull is concerned over the speed drivers take through the village. She said: “It’s a 30mph limit and just one lane, but we just seem to be getting people driving too fast.
“Tractors and combine harvesters can manage to come down without ever hitting a duck, but people just use it like a rat run. It’s a 30mph limit, but it should really be 20.”
None of the drivers who have hit the birds have stopped. One was left in the road with a broken leg. She was taken back to the pond, but died a week later.
Mrs Hull believes drivers’ sat navs are responsible for the sudden increase in traffic on the road by directing them through the village instead of faster routes.
“It’s not people from the village doing this, as they all know we have got ducks.
“They just need to be aware it is a 30mph area and where the railings are is where the pond is –where there are likely to be ducks on the road.”
Comments(8)
Mrs Donnyfly
says...
10:47pm Sun 28 Oct 12
beetawix
says...
10:35am Mon 29 Oct 12
that scenario may have resulted in further duck slaughter.
The.Central.Scrutinizer
says...
10:50am Mon 29 Oct 12
ducks don't need bread and it is not good for their health.
OhThisIsFun
says...
8:57pm Tue 30 Oct 12
notscot
says...
11:00pm Tue 30 Oct 12
weasels ripped my flesh
says...
7:48am Wed 31 Oct 12
'Speculation rife amongst villagers'
The.Central.Scrutinizer
says...
7:13pm Wed 31 Oct 12
type Urchfont into search field at top of page
williethepimp says...
7:58pm Sun 28 Oct 12
Shame the sat nav didn't direct them to drive into the pond.