WHEN you undertake tasks to meet a personal need and they have wider public benefit, never doubt that your action is noticed and valued by others.

On Wednesday, while walking along the footpath between Boundary Brook Road and Florence Park, I was struck in the face by an overgrown bramble.

Unpruned branches are a nuisance, especially to individuals such as myself with limited sight.

Luckily a delightful gentleman holding forth a pair of bright yellow shears appeared.

He explained that he was fed up of losing his sunhat to overgrowing trees while navigating Oxford’s cycle tracks.

When requests to the council to act failed to generate action, he resolved to do the job himself.

On such a hot afternoon, he could have chosen to put his feet up in the shade with a cool drink, but instead he invested time in quiet community service, without any expectation of thanks or recognition. I truly valued this.

I appeal to the council and private owners of our trees to please keep them respectfully trimmed back so pedestrians and cyclists can pass by unmolested.

We can all follow the example of the gentleman I met and each do our piece to keep our streets and paths safe for everyone to enjoy.

ABBY WHITE
Boundary Brook Road, Oxford