Aireborough Rotary's Grand Easter Egg Hunt at Rodley Nature Reserve a resounding success

This year the preparatory work of organising the Easter Egg Hunt only took one meeting and everything went amazingly smoothly on the day, or so it seemed. The team erecting and dismantling the gazebos ensured that everything went to plan at both ends of the day including helping all the outside stall holders as they arrived. They expressed their gratitude later.

The car parking team worked miracles hindered at times by the canal bridge opening and closing at inopportune times and having to keep an eye on backed up traffic and the various options available to them. Listening to their messages was a lesson in itself as early arrivals soon set the ball rolling. We were all aware that excellent publicity meant that this year was a potential sell-out and a steady stream of eager families, many Easterly dressed, soon started appearing down the drive. Many of them were regulars encouraging their excited children to listen carefully to the instructions. But it was a pleasure to welcome many first timers admitting it was their first visit to the resplendent,waiting in expectation Rodley Nature Reserve.

Very quickly the stalls were thronged with visitors enjoying the variety of amusements, some new, some well loved and there was a steady queue outside the cafe. The Nature Reserve Shops both inside and out did a roaring trade and it was good to se children drawing and colouring their views of the day as well as hearing about birds on site like the kestrels.

But how do you measure success? The car parking team commented on the grateful thanks of families returning to their cars having had a wonderful day and promising to be back next year. Simply from a fundraising viewpoint Aireborough Rotary collected around £1500 for its charities from its stalls and donations both on the day and online. Sister organisation Aireborough Inner Wheel's Lollipop Tree and A Prize Every Time's jars raised £380+ for their charities. The Nature Reserve itself will be reporting later after its next meeting.

All this will have left a large dedicated band of volunteers tired but happy with the satisfaction of having taken part in a job well done. Just when is Easter next year?