Somerset Council and its Green Estates team at Ham Hill want to commend 3 young members of the West Coker Cub Scout group for taking action to address dog fouling at their favourite local beauty spot.
Jasper, Nancy and Leo Bradshaw decided to offer their help raising awareness of the issue and to encourage dog owners to act responsibly when visiting Ham Hill. They contacted the Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, who has given his support to the campaign. The children are now partnered with the Ham Hill rangers to deliver a simple but important message: clean up after your dog.
As part of their work towards their Scout gold and Cub silver awards Jasper, Nancy and Leo have designed a series of eye-catching posters, soon to be on display across Ham Hill. The posters remind visitors of their role in keeping the site clean and safe. The area remains a popular destination for walkers and dog owners, making responsible behaviour essential to protecting the landscape for everyone.
The children have spoken out about the growing issue of dog fouling. They said they want to feel proud of where they live, but too often visits are spoiled by dog mess. Jasper said:
Ham Hill is an amazing place to explore, but it’s ruined when you’re constantly looking down instead of enjoying the views.
They hope their posters will encourage the small minority of dog owners who don’t clean up after their pets to act more responsibly.
Nancy also highlighted how unpleasant and harmful the problem can be, pointing out that bagged dog waste is sometimes left hanging in trees “like a poo bag tree.”
Leo added:
Dog mess can carry harmful bugs that make people ill.
Their message is simple: they just want to be able to run around and enjoy the space without worrying about stepping in something unpleasant.
The initiative highlights the children’s enthusiasm and commitment to their community, with the aim of inspiring others to take pride in the area and help care for it.
Councillor Graham Oakes, Lead Member for Public Health, Climate Change and Environment at Somerset Council, said:
These young Cub Scouts are setting a fantastic example. Their initiative shows how even simple actions can make a big difference, and we’re proud to support their efforts to help keep Ham Hill welcoming and respected by all who visit.
Rachael Whaites, Green Estates Manager at Somerset Council, said:
We’re incredibly proud of these young people for taking the initiative to care for a place they clearly love. Their campaign is a fantastic example of community spirit in action, and we’re delighted to support them.
Ham Hill has always been a popular destination for dog walkers, who are very welcome here. The vast majority already clean up after their pets, but a small number do not, and that can spoil the experience for others.
It’s important to remember that dog mess must be picked up everywhere across the site – not just on main paths. Ham Hill is a freely accessible landscape where children play, wildlife thrives, and visitors explore widely. Anyone could come into contact with dog waste, even in more natural or remote areas.
We hope this campaign encourages everyone to do the right thing and help keep Ham Hill clean, safe and enjoyable for all.
Visitors are encouraged to support the campaign by disposing of dog waste responsibly and using the 28 bins provided across Ham Hill.
