Litter is a problem for communities everywhere, and many attempts have been made by various authorities and organisations to change the habits of ‘litterbugs’.

From educating people to think of the consequences of dropping rubbish, to threatening them with fines, campaigns against litter have evidently only had limited success.

Ilkley does not have the litter problems of some places, but being a popular visitor destination, the footfall does mean the opportunity for more rubbish to be dropped, even if it is only a minority of visitors who do so.

An Ilkley businessman’s own campaign against litter is a novel approach to the problem, and it will be interesting to see how his film is received, and how far through the community he spreads his message.

Although the worst litter problems are most commonly associated with centres of larger population, the countryside, and rural towns, do have their own share of the problem.

Perhaps Thomas Black’s added publicity will help get the message out to more people that a simple act like binning rubbish instead of dropping it could help improve the area a great deal – and maybe stir some of that great Yorkshire pride that will encourage more to think about looking after the landscape they love.

Walter Swan had a huge impact on the life of Ilkley

The condolences of the town are due to the family and friends of Walter Swan, who has died at the tragically untimely age of 59.

For many years he was a mainstay of the Ilkley Playhouse as its artistic director, and latterly served as the creative development manager of this hugely popular and important fixture of Ilkley life.

The Ilkley Playhouse is a not-for-profit organisation run almost exclusively by volunteers. It has no regular funding and exists – thrives, in fact – thanks to the tireless efforts of its army of supporters and members, Mr Swan being chief among them for a long time.

Ilkley Playhouse is one of those very important assets of the area, not just because of the huge amount of pleasure its productions have brought to many, many theatre-goers over the years, but because it is a wonderful example of people coming together with no thought of monetary remuneration in order to bring happiness to others.

Doubtless the Ilkley Playhouse will greatly miss the work of Mr Swan, as will the other organisations he was heavily involved in – he was a supporter of the Ilkley Literature Festival and a member of several sporting clubs, including Otley Golf Club.

Our thoughts go to his family, especially his wife and his son and daughter. Mr Swan and all his good works have made a huge impact on Ilkley life, and his many and varied good deeds and involvement in the community are an inspiration to us all.