Local man 87, helps keep Formby clean on his walks by picking up other peoples litter

We have recently been contacted by James F Davies, a local dog walker, who has been inspired by a man known as Laurie aged 87.

James said: "I was walking my dog on the field by Formby Woods and I saw this man walking slowly on his own with a carrier bag, I nodded he nodded back and smiled because of my dog being very excited to see him... we then walked in the same direction, suddenly he bends over and picks up a few things I notice to be rubbish somebody had left, I suddenly thought this man was special"

James continued: "I spoke to him and it turned out his name was Laurie he moved to Formby in ‘64 from London and never moved back because he said he loved Formby so much..we chatted about the history of Formby and he told me he helps the national trust by going round and picking up litter people have thrown in the woods and on the field, the bag was nearly full. We talked some more and then I helped him pick up a few things, young and old working together to clean this beautiful place up that whoever throws this rubbish doesn’t appreciate. He is 87 years old and he does this, he told me he lost his wife some years ago as well so I really felt for him but he had this natural confidence and strength inside him you could tell he’s had since he was a young man... I told him he was an inspiration for what he was doing and he modestly waved his hand at me like it was nothing."

James has said he is writing this so Laurie gets the recognition he deserves, and believes he'll be seeing him again on his dog walks no doubt and this time he’s inspired James to take his own plastic bag to clean up this beautiful place we call home...

Laurie this is for you, a true member of the community and an all around great man, be the change you wish to see in the world no matter how old you are!