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Earley Town Council |
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Maiden Erlegh Park
The Park is some twelve hectares in extent, and was recently classified as a Local Nature Reserve. It is managed on the Town Council's behalf by its Park Ranger Service with the help of the Head Bailiff, up to ten seasonally appointed Water Bailiffs and a groundsman. Earley Town Council does not take any responsibility for any content on external links For more information and pictures of the Nature Reserve visit maidenerleghlnr.org.uk Earley Town Council supports the work of the Earley Environmental Group, and details can be found on their website; www.earleyenvironmentalgroup.co.uk The Park is in several “parcels” which are described on the several Interpretation Boards around the site. The Lake area, between Instow Road and Lakeside is managed under the Reservoirs Act and is inspected by a Consultant Engineer once or twice each year. Records have to be kept on water levels, and the condition of the Weir etc. aspects which are inspected by the Engineer.
The Town Council has tried hard to keep a balance between the conservation aspects of the Lake and its use for angling. Annual Fishing Permits can be issued on a first come, first served basis.
You will need to bring in or send passport sized Photograph, Rod Licence for Adults and Juniors over 12, Fee, Large Stamped address if you would like your permit posted, and Birth Certificate (Juniors only) All Junior Applicants must attend a training session at the Council Offices where they are given tuition in fishing, by our Head Bailiff, Tony Morris. ) Competitions are arranged annually. Winners of the Junior 2008 fishing competition
Permits for fishing can be obtained from the Help Shop at the Council Offices, Mondays - Fridays only. Day Tickets cannot be used at weekends The Fishing Season is closed from the 15th march until the 15th June annually. The Lake is bounded by ancient woodland, and again the Council has had a hard balancing act to reconcile the needs of the population living all around the Park, many of whom use the main pathway as a thoroughfare, and the need to conserve a valuable habitat.
There have been many improvements undertaken in recent years including desilting, bankworks, pathworks and water/fish quality controls. These initiatives are ongoing, and anyone interested in becoming involved in the conservation work would be welcome to join the new local volunteer group, The Earley Environmental Group. Details of aspects of the park management can be obtained from the Senior Park Ranger Grahame Hawker. The new Interpretation Centre
The new Interpretation Centre at Instow Road was opened on Saturday 4th November at 11.00 am by Councillor Fiona Rolls and Councillor Andrew Long. There was a high turn out of local residents there to see the ribbons being cut. The Town Council has been saving for the cost of the building over the past three years so that it did not have to borrow to finance the project. The Environmental Trust for Berkshire were willing partners and Nicola Stillwell presented a cheque to Andrew Long for 20,000 pounds. Thames Water, represented by Doreen Hughes and Jessica Rea,were also in attendance, having generously donated time, energy, skills and financial support to help equip the lecture/classroom with informative panels and a time line. The hundred or so guests were treated to light refreshments including mulled wine (prepared and provided by one of our councillors) tea and biscuits. Those interested were given a guided tour of the Local Nature Reserve after the ceremony had been concluded. The basis of the project has been the conversion of the old compound to provide the new Interepretation Centre. The old sheds and garages in the LNR were demolished and building of the new centre is nearing completion. Just the finishing touches to go. The building is timber clad, the doors, frames and windows have to be made and fitted, and the "wet weather" room completed. Rolls. The new facility will provide a well appointed field study centre for local students and school children. The building has been erected as a Millennium project.
The Park which is some four acres plus in extent, is situated between Roman Way and Meadow Road, with pathways leading in from both roads. There are extensive cultivated beds, mainly with shrubs, a wildflower meadow section, a central grassed area, an aromatic garden and two areas of childrens' play equipment. The Park is looked after as part of the duties of the Park Ranger Service and the Maiden Erlegh Park groundsman. We employ a gardener to help keep the more formal sections of the Park in good order. Meadow Park was acquired from Woodley Town Council, and extensively upgraded in an attempt to try to meet local needs. There are many more elderly residents living around the perimeter, and there have been problems in the past with several of them being disturbed by largely unauthorised activities in the Park. These problems have been addressed and mostly overcome by various measures, including the introduction of a new Bylaw, provision of gates, the employment of a gatekeeper, and the help of the Outreach Youth Workers. The Council has tried to encourage an element of local participation in the management of the Park and local residents are now invited to take part in twice yearly meetings of a support group, where ideas for improvements can be discussed and forwarded to the Amenities and Leisure Committee. The Park is situated off Woodlands Avenue on the boundary between Woodley and Earley and is jointly managed by the two Town Councils. Entrance is usually gained from Pitts Lane. More of its area is within Woodley, and historically, Woodley Town Council has undertaken routine grasscutting and other maintenance, with our Council meeting a proportion of the costs once per year. We now have a greater degree of responsibility since the development of our Park Ranger Service, but largely the old arrangement remains in place and works well.
The Pond, is one of the few surviving examples of the farm ponds of which there were once quite a few in Earley. Earley Town Council acquired it under licence from Wokingham District Council with the intention to save and preserve the facility some years ago. It is situated at the end of the little lane to the left of the end of Beech Lane as you approach the junction with Rushey Way and was previously known as Rushey Way Pond. It is managed by the Park Ranger Service, with help from local conservation groups, as a conservation and educational feature and is an interesting wildlife habitat, supporting creatures such as dragonflies, newts and frogs. Sol Joel and Other Local Parks There are several other local parks of significance. These include Laurel Park and Chalfont Park, both of which are owned
and administered by Wokingham Borough Council, and Sol Joel Park which is owned by Reading Borough Council, but Earley Town Council have leased it for the a period of 50 years. All three have substantial recreation and leisure facilities for organised activity. To date, as is recorded elsewhere within this Webpage, the Town Council has already provided a Sports and Skate Park which is proving tremendously popular with local youngsters. In addition, several skate ramps have been provided suitable for rollerblading and skateboarding. The equipment provided includes a half-pipe with spine, a fun box, a grind rail and two quarter-pipes. Subject to discussions with local residents to minimise any potential nuisance, there is a possibility that flood lighting may be provided to all or part of the facility at some future date in an attempt to maximise its use. At the present time, the equipment provided can only be used at weekends and during the summer. Discussions as to potential partnership arrangements between Earley Town Council and Reading Borough Council are continuing with regard to the remainder of the Park. When the area was conveyed to the Borough Council back in the 1930's, a Trust was set up by the late Sol Joel, and even if any new arrangement was agreed, Reading Borough Council, as the Trustees, would need to retain the freehold although Earley Town Council manages and has improved some of the remaining facilities.
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