The Blorenge in the Brecon Beacons usually hits all the right notes with anyone wanting to lose themselves in some spellbinding scenery. However, walkers heading out to scale the 1,841ft-high hill overlooking Abergavenny earlier this week were instead greeted with a sight that struck the wrong chord altogether.
Two full-size pianos - one upright, the other a baby grand - had been fly-tipped in a layby near the popular Keeper's Pond beauty spot, provoking a mix of disbelief and anger in many. In particular Craig Titchener, who was forced to do a double-take after spotting it early Monday morning.
"I drive that route to work every day, have done for years, " said the 45-year-old mechanic from Abergavenny. "During that time I've seen all sorts of rubbish having been dumped along the way.
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"There's been everything from piles of rubble and old television sets to general litter. Sometimes there's been so much of it the road's actually been blocked off - but two pianos is a new one on me."
He pondered just how difficult it would have been for someone to have dropped them off there in the first place. "Whoever is responsible would have needed a big enough van and at least two pairs of hands.
"Furthermore, I don't know why it's easier to dump it at the side of the road as opposed to just taking it to the local recycling centre. As far as I'm aware vans are allowed at the tip without charge."
Having shared the image of the abandoned instruments on Twitter Craig's post has so far been viewed more than 22,000 times. He also added that, having reported the problem to Monmouthshire County Council, the pianos were gone by the time he drove home from work in Blaenavon the next day.
"It's disgusting to me that some people have no respect for the countryside," he said. "It's a lovely spot with amazing wildlife - why anyone would want to spoil that I don't know.
"I'm glad the image had such a big reaction though. I can only hope in highlighting this something good comes of it." A spokesperson for Monmouthshire County Council said, "We were shocked and appalled that these pianos were dumped on the Blorenge. We would strong advise anyone paying a company or individual to dispose of waste to ensure that they are disposing of it responsibly and legally.
"There is never an excuse for fly-tipping, which is anti-social and impacts on communities and on our countryside. The council’s website has information about how to dispose of larger items, which can be found here."
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