When I first joined Bray Coast Care, I was still working alternate Saturdays so I could only turn up very occasionally. Since my retirement, nearly 12 years ago, I have had time to be a more regular helper on the project.
The Saturday clean-up covers the Bray side of Bray Head, including the area of the old Cove baths. An area is assigned to each person or group, along with a litter picker and a large rubbish bag.
It is a very good way to become more familiar with the different areas of the Head, which is a lovely hill with great views of the sea and the town. It makes for a pleasant walk with a purpose, and there is great satisfaction in cleaning up such an attractive and important area.
The volunteers are a diverse and interesting group. It has been fun meeting and working with a variety of local people, both long-term residents and many newcomers to the town. The joint efforts of the excellent organisers and the helpers working together as a team create a very effective community project.
My family join me when they can, though their lives are very busy. It is good for the children to help out on such a useful project, and they enjoy the feeling of a job well done.
Altogether, it is a very worthwhile effort which is much appreciated by other hill walkers, keeping the lovely area clean for everybody’s enjoyment, as well as safer for the wildlife of the Head. There is great satisfaction in feeling that such an important area is being well cared for by the local community of volunteers.