Friday Whatnot… and Rubbish

Diana Van Der Klugt (Con, Chantry), Lord Lieutenant of Sussex Susan Pyper, David ‘Pig Pen’ Sedaris, Horsham District Council cabinet member for the Environment Andrew Baldwin. (Photo submitted to the West Sussex County Times.)
Did you happen to read David Sedaris’s latest piece in The New Yorker titled “Stepping Out“? In it, he confessed about his fixation with Fitbit, explaining his addiction to log more and more steps each day. He explained that he was able to do so by walking the Sussex countryside, picking up trash.
Well, it appears that Sedaris’s piece was more fact than fiction. According to the West Sussex County Times, he just received an honor from the Horsham District Council, thanking him for walking many miles, picking up litter along the way.
In recognition for all his fantastic work and dedication and as a token of Horsham District Council’s appreciation, the council has named one of their waste vehicles after him.
The vehicle, bedecked with its bespoke ‘Pig Pen Sedaris’ sign was officially unveiled by the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex Mrs Susan Pyper at an outdoor ceremony on July 23.
Not only did Sedaris have a trash truck named after him, his efforts have also spurred a local initiative. The article explains,
Mr Sedaris’s example has inspired Horsham District Council to launch an “Adopt-a-Street” initiative.
It wants to encourage residents to sign up to be voluntary litter pickers and for people to take pride in their neighbourhood and district.
It wasn’t until the site was inundated with Sedaris fans that those involved realized he was more than a local hero.