Is it really so difficult to clean up after ourselves?

Seeing so many people turn up to enjoy the free music at The Bandstand on Southsea Common over the weekend was fantastic.

With an estimated 15,000 revellers making the most of the fine weather and the draw of popular local act Rhythm Of The ’90s, the field was completely packed.

During the summer months, the concerts down at the bandstand are a great draw, with a wide variety of music getting showcased – from reggae to country via indie and pop.

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We’re lucky to have such a wonderful, well-used site on our doorstep – and the shows are all put on for free.

But the mess left behind after this Sunday’s show was a disgrace. Looking at the huge piles of rubbish, it’s hard to brush the problem aside as the actions of a minority.

Yes, it is clear that the number of bins provided were inadequate for the rubbish generated by such a large crowd.

However, presumably everyone brought all of that food and drink down to the field with them in bags. Would it be too much to ask that the empties and the packaging goes back in the bags and gets taken home if the bins are full? Or even take an empty bag or two with you just for your rubbish.

It’s hardly rocket science.

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We’re guessing that most people at the bandstand don’t choose to live in their own homes surrounded by piles of rubbish, so why would they think that it’s acceptable to leave their filth for others in a valued public space?

Cllr Linda Symes, in charge of culture and leisure matters for the city council, mentions the threat of starting on-the-spot fines.

It would be nice to think that our fellow Portmuthians could be trusted to clear up after themselves without needing the stick of a fine to do so.