Travelling down Cox’s Hill, Lawford, recently we have noticed a gentleman working hard, clearing the weeds that have encroached onto the path down to the station.

Quite some years ago, the appropriate council put some kerbing to contain the undergrowth but subsequent upkeep was not followed up and over the years the greenery encroached and cut the width of the path by half.

This letter is to thank the spirited person for spending much time and energy to put the path back to rights.

In the last few weeks, the local Rotary Club has continued with litter picking and cleaning road signs that have become almost obliterated by dirt and lichen and Manningtree and Mistley councils have also arranged litter pick ups.

On returning from a holiday in Derbyshire last autumn we realised how rundown this area looks: road surfaces, poor road signs, dirty and at angles, litter on the roadsides.

Maybe, where it is safe to do so, we need to do more self-help to keep this area looking cared for and a credit to its residents.

Nancy and David Shearmur

Lawford