Disgust as used adult nappies dumped in Shaftesbury Lake

On Friday, August 25, the unsightly soiled undergarments were spotted floating around the water by the waterfall at Shaftesbury Lake. 

This was spotted and reported by Gail Collins who is the co-founder of the Friends of Shaftesbury Lake community group, a team of volunteers that regularly hold events and take care of things in the area, and she says this has been a reoccurring problem throughout the year.

Speaking to the Adver, she said: "It is disgusting and polluting the lake and stream.

"It's revolting," she added. 

Two more adult nappies in Shaftesbury Lake after some were removed (Image: Gail Collins)

After her report, the two nappies were cleared up at the end of August, but shortly afterwards two more adult nappies could be seen floating in the same body of water. 

"They were removed, but today there are more," Ms Collins said in further correspondence.

"The lake is stinking and there are fish in it," she added. 

Earlier in the year, Gail had contacted the Adver after a number of baby nappies were dumped in the same area.

These had started to fall apart and had pooled in one area of the lake. 

The community and the Friends of Shaftesbury Lake have put a lot of effort into the area to transform it into the beauty spot it is now.

In 2018 Gail Collins and co-founder Pam Jones started the group which has helped to transform the "abandoned and neglected" area. 

Degrading used baby nappies in Shaftesbury Lake earlier this year (Image: Gail Collins)

The lake is now jointly managed by two parish councils - Nythe, Eldene and Liden Parish Council and South Swindon Parish Council. 

Swindon Borough Councillor for the Liden, Eldene and Park South ward Mike Davies has also commented on the mystery nappy dumping.

He said: "Shaftesbury Lake is a beautiful area enjoyed by many, including lots of volunteers who regularly litter pick the area to keep it looking nice.

"Why someone would do this kind of wilful unpleasant littering is very difficult to understand, and I would ask whoever is responsible to consider the health and environmental concerns."

The lake has not been without its other troubles, with bird flu claiming the lives of many animals last year, and this year two geese were killed in a hit-and-run.