Sun 25th March 2012

The Huge Earley Litter Pick was a great success aided by the lovely Spring weather. More than 60 residents, including members of the Waterside Centre, the 99th Reading scout group, the store manager and staff from ASDA and the Mayor of Earley and his wife, turned out to make Earley a tidier place in which to live. The main groups set off from the Interpretation Centre on Maiden Erlegh Local Nature Reserve and litter-picked along Maiden Erlegh Brook, Riverside Park, Laurel Park and local footpaths and cycle ways. Other satellite groups were clearing up by the Thames, London Road and Paddick Drive. In addition to collecting over 100 bags of general rubbish and recyclable materials, 4 tyres, a fishing rod and the front end of a boat were also retrieved.
Grahame Hawker, Senior Park Ranger for Earley Town Council said "It was great to see so many residents giving up their time to make Earley a more beautiful place in which to live. Having organised this annual litter pick for more than a decade it was interesting to see this year what a huge difference the EASI scheme (Earley Adopt a Street Initiative) has made."

The Sibly Students

On Mothers day, the week before, a group of students from Sibly Hall held their annual pick. Some of these students have been going out each week over the last two years, picking up litter as part of their community contribution. Some residents joined in with the students, and the Mayor of Earley came to thank the students for their efforts, and enjoyed a cup of tea and cakes.