Tourists mystified by Holyrood garbage boxes

By Mark Squibb/September 30, 2022

It’s the hope that international tourists will be drawn to Holyrood by the scenic views, hiking trails, and annual festivals.

But it turns out the garbage boxes receive quite a lot of attention too.

“Some of you may know, that every morning my wife goes to the top of Murray’s Peak,” explained councillor Bruce King during last week’s meeting. “A couple of days ago, she met these people on the trail. So, they had a conversation, and they thought the trail was fantastic, they thought Holyrood was an absolutely gorgeous place, and when they got to the top of the hill they could see everything in all directions. So, while she was talking to these people, the lady said, ‘I have a question for you – what are all those octagon boxes at the end of your driveways?’ and Dorothy goes, ‘They’re garbage boxes.’”

Members of council had a chuckle, and King asked where councillors thought those tourists had hailed from. Councillor Laura Crawley jokingly suggested St. John’s.

The tourists had actually come from quite a bit further away than St. John’s; Finland, as it turns out.

“So now, when they go back to Finland, they’ll know what the octagon boxes are,” concluded King.

The other Councillor King, Sadie, then related a similar story.

“I’ve had people from Jamaica this past week, and they were amazed at our garbage boxes as well,” said King. “They didn’t know what they were.”

Councillor Bruce King jokingly recommended the Town sell garbage boxes to tourists.

“Interesting stuff,” allowed Mayor Gary Goobie.

No word yet on whether the Town will advertise the garbage boxes in its tourist brochures.