Tributes to cherished litter choosing dog on unique painted bench in Darwen park

A plaque has actually been revealed in memory of ‘Darwen’s Litter Picking Dog’ Rosco.

The black labrador – who died this year – was the primary factor behind ‘Keep Darwen Tidy’ after his inadequately paw motivated his owner to start the clean-up group. The plaque was put on a ‘special’ re-painted bench in Ashton Park.

Rosco’s homage was revealed with his owner Janet Pearce and her mum Toni Pearce together with Blackburn with Darwen environment manager Cllr Jim Smith and his dog Bart, Darwen East ward’s Cllr Katrina Fielding and Keep Darwen Tidy volunteer, Angela Margerison.

Janet was relocated to tears when she saw the bench – the location where she and her dog utilized to rest together when walking through the park.

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She began Keep Darwen Tidy in 2018 when she completed work due to her cancer medical diagnosis after when she was out walking with Rosco he cut his paw on a piece of glass.

Janet then began getting litter and with the assistance from regional volunteers, the group grew from there. The plaque was an unanticipated gesture from members of Keep Darwen Tidy and Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Janet said: “It was a genuine surprise for me and I didn’t understand anything about it. Angela Margerison began the procedure of Ashton Park getting the plaque on mine and Rosco’s preferred bench, and it’s remarkable.

“I just feel like it’s really special. It’s such a lovely memory and thank you very much to everybody involved. It really did touch me.”
Cllr Fielding, said: “Rosco was a substantial part of Keep Darwen Tidy and the factor that Janet began it. When Angela connected with me with the concept of a bench in memory of Rosco I believed it was an outstanding concept.

“Janet has put lots of time and effort into our wonderful town and now that the plaque is on their favourite bench it is there for everyone to come and enjoy.”

Cllr Smith said: “You need to bear in mind that our parks are for everyone, the young and the old and most significantly our dogs. Just keep in mind to tidy up and keep everyone safe.