Councillors Michael Lilley (Ryde Appley and Elmfield) and Dave Adams (Nettlestone and Seaview), joined forces with the new High Sheriff, Graham Biss (CEO of Natural Enterprise), and new Ryde Town Councillor, Pippa Hayward, to carry out a Park/Beach Spring Clean and Survey.
Appley and Puckpool beaches and parks are much loved by residents and visitors alike throughout the year. Appley Tower is being renovated and restored with opening in July 2024. Natural Enterprise and Monkton Arts have led on the Appley Heritage Project with funding from Heritage Lottery, IW and Ryde Town Councils.
Purpose of the survey
The clean-up and survey event hosted by local ward councillors was organised to do an audit of the parks and beaches to feed into local councils so there is a short, medium and long-term sustainable plans for these environmentally important beauty spots.
Lilley: Whoever dumped a hoover in Appley Park should be ashamed of themselves
Councillor Michael Lilley explained,
“We had a productive day and talked to many people visiting the park. We collected four bags of litter and rubbish that included the usual suspects of plastic bottles and tins, but more exotic items such as a hoover and plastic paint trays! Whoever dumped a hoover in Appley Park should be ashamed of themselves!
“Friends of Appley and Goodleaf Tree Climbing worked with us and removed an unsightly broken and rotting fence between Appley Park and ancient woodland site, Little Appley; A big thank you to them.
“I am disappointed with Southern Water about the external area of their pumping station in Appley Park which is an eyesore and this was highlighted in the survey and I will be contacting them. There is an urgent need to improve the paths and footpaths which get high wear and tear. The Appley Play area was closed due to maintenance but it is so well used I will be asking IW Council for a future plan that avoids it being closed for long periods
“There were a number of good ideas generated by local people and visitors including bins at the top end of the park a forest school for local children, and an exhibition area of items of rubbish collected and details the damage this rubbish can do to the environment. No more hoovers, please.”
Adams: We want to make sure it stays that way through the busy summer months
Councillor Dave Adams of Nettlestone and Seaview added,
“Michael and I as neighbouring ward councillors work together regularly especially where our wards overlap such as Puckpool and Appley beaches.
“We joined forces for a beach and park survey and spring clean so we can jointly meet up with IW Council officers in May 2024 to get an agreement of future maintenance, repairs and care for this beautiful area which is much loved by residents and visitors.
“We discovered some interesting rubbish left by people who seem to use car parks at Puckpool and Appley as places to dump their car rubbish on the ground and not use provided bins!
“Although, overall the area was clean. We want to make sure it stays that way through the busy summer months!”
News shared by Michael, in his own words, Ed
