Events 2013

Our Stall at the Norcot Xmas Market

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This was a novelty for us. We had not participated in this type of event before but it was all in a good cause. It was held at the community centre on Bates Hill to encourage funding for the centre, which to say the least is a bit run down. The event was to run from 3pm to 5pm. In order to gauge the weather we had looked at the weather forecast for the area. It showed that showers would prevail from 3pm to 5pm. So we took a gazebo to give us some protection in the unlikely event that the forecast was correct. We got the stuff for the stand up early which was a good move since the drizzly rain started at about 2.30pm. The mums and dads and children from Norcot school started to flock in. Father Christmas arrived. Then it got very dark and the flood lighting helped with the festivities.

We gave away many Circular Walks leaflets. Young mums in particular were amazed that these lovely parks and reserves are on the doorstep. The leaflets, we hope, will encourage them to take their kids into these places for free, healthy fun and enjoyment.

People commented on the litter hotspots, and these have duly been sent on to the appropriate authorities.

At about 4pm, without warning, the heavens opened and it bucketed down for about 5 minutes. It did put a bit of a damper on things. Many of the people seemed to call it a day or crammed into the centre for the raffle before going home.

We packed up our soggy belongings and went home too.

The highlight of the event was that Santa bought us a mince pie, for which we were very grateful. We hope the organisers are not despondent, given the circumstances it was a nice event enjoyed in the main by families with young children.

Planting at Halls Road/The Meadway

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Where Halls Road meets the Meadway/Mayfair, there is a splendid tree arching over the corner. There is a grass verge around the tree. Volunteers wanted to plant mixed bulbs in the verge to give a lift to the area in the spring.

After the drenching that the volunteers got the week before when planting the corner at Dunstall Close, we were jolly pleased that the morning was not bad.

The session went very well and a large semi circle of bulbs were planted, by adults and children. We felt very pleased with ourselves.

The following Monday one of our volunteers drove past the corner and saw - SHOCK HORROR - a massive array of Southern Gas Network equipment all over the site! So we hot footed it down to the site to see what was going on. On further inspection the SNG lads at the site reassured us that - Yes they knew that we had planted bulbs on the site. Yes - they were avoiding the area planted out. Yes they would ensure that no digging took place where the bulbs were planted. They seemed to be very confident that all would be well. So much so the we believe them! (Even though at first sight it all seemed a bit of a disaster.)

Given their confidence, we look forward to a colourful display in the spring....

Planting at Dunstall Road/School Road

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Outside Lloyds Bank at the triangle there is a grass verge that is often used by car and lorry drivers to park their vehicles. Despite this we decided that the site merited a makeover. So valiant volunteers turned out in the rain and dug in and got absolutely drenched - but they went ahead and planted mixed bulbs which we hope will add colour and pleasure on this corner.

Planting for the winter in the Drinking Trough

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Once again volunteers planted out the drinking trough by the Water Tower. We had enjoyed the lovely display all summer and now it was time to rake out the dying plants and put in plants to give a great display over the winter months.

Volunteers from the Hilton helping at the Corwen Road Gardens

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The latest stage to help improve the Corwen Road Gardens took place on Friday 11 October when Tilehurst Globe hosted a practical gardening session in good weather before the weekend rain. A team of eight from Hilton Reading joined six Globe volunteers to start refurbishing the large brick planter the front of the flats. It was full of tired overgrown matted plants. The volunteers heaved , dug, sorted out and replanted ,working like trojans from 10am -12.30pm .When they finished there was clear space surrounding some precious peonies and hydrangeas that had been in danger of being suffocated, whilst hundreds of grape hyacinths had been re-located to under a hedge, and other plants had been given temporary homes ready for later re-planting.

This session had been planned as the first of several events to make the front entrance to their flats more attractive. The next stages will be to add some soil improver, plan the planting scheme and plant up the gaps with colour-themed plants to give attractive appearance all year round.

Many thanks to the Hilton volunteers who gave real impetus to a plan we had thought was too difficult to tackle.

A Second Tour of the Station

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Because of the huge demand for places, a second tour of the new Reading Station was organized. This time it included a tour of the control room as well. Shaun Whitfield again delighted visitors with his knowledge and enthusiasm.

Planting summer flowers in the Drinking Trough

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Pat and Jane have planted a great display of flowers in the trough. The spring bulbs are all over and now we should be treated to a wonderful, colourful display in the drinking trough by the Water Tower. Many thanks to Pat and Jane for their sterling work, done for all to enjoy.

Our stall at the fete

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Who says we haven't had a summer this year. We had it on 8th June - the day we ran a stall at the fete hosted by the Friends of Berkshire Hospital. I took a camera with me intending to take photos, but had such a busy time that I forgot to take any! So you will just have to imagine what we did.

We presented two main themes; one (by popular demand) was the Tilehurst Globe Free Quiz and the other was to find out what people think of the parking ban on verges and footways. In addition we gave out leaflets describing the wonderful Circular Walks in the local woods and parks. We are still amazed by the number of people who have no idea that they have these great places to walk and play right on their doorstep.

Over 50 people completed the quiz. It was called "Another fine mess" and was obviously about how much you would be fined for various misdemeanors - such as parking on the footway or verge and for dropping litter! It was a hard quiz because the law is very uneven in its treatment of miscreants. No-one got all the answers right but a few made valiant efforts (guesses, they all said) and won prizes. The prizes had been donated by Village Butchers (£10 voucher), Co-op in School Road (bottle of wine and box of chocolates) and Leslie West (bird box). Thank you all very much for being so generous. And thank you also to the Co-op for putting up a great display of the leaflets in their School Road shop.

Loads of people asked for the answers to the quiz to be posted on the web. Because the law is so complicated, that will come later.

All in all we had a great day. Everyone at the fete seemed to enjoy themselves and were in good spirits. I expect we will be there next year, too!

Microsoft volunteers at the Corwen Road Gardens

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We were really pleased have volunteers from Microsoft help with some really tough work at the Corwen Road Gardens. We needed to move the old, rotting compost bins, to build new bins and to put some hard work in on the borders.

These pictures tell the story of how the day panned out from a tentative start to a grand finale!

Picnic time. Well, we needed to get some more energy. As usual, when Tilehurst Globe do these tasks, we are blessed by good weather. And this session was true to form. Whereas it was not glorious spring weather, at least it didn't rain - at least not till we had all gone home - and the job done.

The compost bins rebuilt and the area cleared. And the borders looking really smart.

And rightly, as it says, this was a clear case of businesses and residents working together. Our thanks are extended to the Microsoft volunteers for their great effort in getting the job done, and for being a really nice team. We loved working with you and many thanks.

A tour of the new Reading Station

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Shaun Winfield of Network Rail gave Tilehurst Globe members very interesting tour of the new station. He explained the history of the new station and how far the construction is from being finished. He was informative, engaging and obviously very wrapped in the whole process from start to end - from Brunel onwards.
We were taken over the platform access bridge, which, if you haven't yet been, has wonderful far reaching views. We descended on the far side down the longest escalator - not in the world but at any station - I think (- I was so transfixed that I missed this bit of his talk!). We were taken under the tracks, and along the path that will eventually be the footpath from one side of the station to the other.
It was all rivetting stuff and many questions were asked by the group on the tour. By popular demand, another tour is planned, such was the level of members' interest on the first tour.
Many, many thanks to Shaun, who made the tour such a pleasure.

Spring pictures of the Water Trough

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If you want to know more about George and Annis Bills, just look it up on the net - there is plenty of information about when and where they went to Australia, and the fund they the set up for the troughs.

The pictures don't do justice to the great showing a few days earlier - but then that is the sort of Spring it has been. Many thanks to Pat and Jane.

Rescue 2013

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Every year Reading Borough Council organizes a Rescue operation to allow people clear up the litter and dumping mess in their locality. Tilehurst Globe participates in this event and has done for many years.

Of course the weather was not with us... We could only just see the litter popping out through the snow. No, that is not the case, actually we could see the litter only too well. And of course no-one wants to see this stuff. We collected over 30 bags of rubbish from various parts of Tilehurst. But mainly, now it is all over we should give many hearty thanks indeed to all the volunteers who bravely turned out to help in such awful conditions.

All signed in volunteers are entered into a raffle with great prizes donated by local businesses. Thank you too for your donations, it is very kind of you.

As usual we have sent in our report. It is worth a read, even though it doesn't really make for good reading.
What we want now is your help, to try to lessen the eyesores. Wouldn't litter free parks and streets be wonderful.

You can help too. A form has been produced by the Reading Rescue Team where you can hightlight the spots in and around Reading that are just plain messy.

They say "We are asking groups and residents to complete a survey to identify the extent of the litter problem in Reading. We would be grateful if you could complete this survey via this link ".

Just do it and send it in. And if you need to send in more than one form - again just do it. It will help us all if you do.

Click here for some pictures for you to enjoy....

Planting more snowdrops in the Triangle

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Lots of volunteers, including welcome help from the guides, came to help us plant out thousands of snowdrops in the Triangle. We thought it would take ages to do, but the circumstances were ideal. The ground was moist so the digging was easy. Everyone got into the spirit of things and soon we were planting the snowdrops at quite a pace. And we had fun! Best of all we could see the snowdrops that we had planted on previous occasions and they seem to have settled in very well - and are looking cheerful. Next spring, when the new ones have settled too, it should look pretty good.

Some pictures for you to enjoy...

Very many thanks to all the volunteers, especially the guides, for their very worthwhile effort.

On the down side, it was a shame to see that at the side of the Co-op where we planted daffodils last year, deep lorry tracks are all over the grassy area, and it is doubtful whether we will get the display that we had hoped for. Even though the thoughtless and inconsiderate lorry driver has done his best to ruin the display, a few valient daffodils are battling their way though the grass. We can but hope.

Planting aconites in Corwen Road gardens

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We planted two big areas round the trees at the Corwen Road garden with aconites. And while we were there we did a bit of tidying up too. Many thanks to all the people that helped.

If you want to know more about the projects we are involved in contact us.

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