That's probably unfair to the pigeons; they poo everywhere but don't engage in criminal stupidity.

It was pleasing to many people to read in The Mercury of the appearance in Lithgow Court of graffiti vandals - one from out of town - but, like the pigeons, there are more pests out there..

Time to get serious about spoiling their party by removing the handiwork as soon as it appears.

And unlike community teams on the job in the Blue Mountains we're not very good at it.

Among the worst affected currently in Lithgow are the railway property on and around the old Signals Branch in Railway Parade, the mining union building in Eskbank Street, the Theatre Royal and the already unsightly Cook Street frontage of the old TAFE building.

The self described 'world's best graffiti buster', South Australian John Rose, addressed a group of community volunteers in the Mountains recently.

He told his audience that quick removal was all important. 'Graffiti is a fame game. It's all about their tags and who sees it. Remove it quickly and you break the vandals' hearts'.

Hopefully that message reaches a wider audience and is taken to heart, maybe even a local graffiti buster team such as Council activates for its property.

EVERYONE should take a walk on the history side from time to time; it broadens the mind and may even be good for the soul. Now's your chance. 'Moyne Farm' in the Hartley Valley boasts the oldest farm house west of the Blue Mountains, dating back to when former Irish convict John Grant became a pioneer of our landed gentry and called the valley home in 1822.

He is also credited with being the first European to explore the Kanimbla Valley.

'Moyne Farm' these days is owned by the Lithgow Di Falco family and with the Lithgow branch of the National Trust will host an open day on Sunday May 5 from 10am to 4pm.

The day will include a re-dedication of the heritage listed and now restored cemetery on the property that holds the graves of John Grant's wife, several farm workers, a four day old baby, and Catherine Sandy, the wife of the Mounted Police officer at Mt Victoria. If you do the full tour there's a bit of rough walking involved but 4WD transport is provided for the infirm.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is now fully booked.

WANT the thrill of off road driving without leaving town? Try the section of Tank Street from the railway bridge past the Workmen's Club, ripped up a couple of months back for mains work and now so bad that by comparison you won't even notice the challenges posed by the Valley Plaza car park.

DESPITE pleas from Lithgow Council there are still people feeding those pigeon pests in the CBD and Queen Elizabeth Park.

Concerned business people who complained to council and the police were told there was little they could do about it apart from seeking civic pride in denying the flying rats a handy snack source.