Volunteers help to make Eastcote shine

STUDENTS, councillors, residents and an MP got involved in replanting a stretch of river bed as part of a national volunteer day.

More than 50 volunteers took part in the event at the River Pinn on High Road, at the junction with Joel Street, Eastcote, on Saturday (31).

The event was organised by Ruislip-Northwood MP Nick Hurd, Hillingdon Council's green spaces team and Eastcote Conservation Panel and was part of Community Service Volunteers (CSV) Make a Difference Day.

Th event is part of a wider initiative to lift the conservation area by renovating Eastcote Coach House and Gardens.

Mr Hurd volunteered on the day with his daughter Katie, along with Eastcote and East Ruislip councillors, Bruce Baker and David Payne and Northwood Hills councillor, Andrew Retter.

Students from Haydon School, in Wiltshrie Lane, Eastcote, and St Andrew's cubs and scouts also helped out and Barclays Bank sponsored the day.

Tracy Morgan, Barclays community manager for the Ruislip and Harrow area, said: "At Barclays we like our staff to get involved with the local communities in which they serve.

"Barclays were delighted to be able support the Eastcote Gardens Project to improve the area and the environment by providing both volunteers and financial support on Make A Difference Day."

Eastcote and East Ruislip Safer Neighbourhood Teams gave safety cover and traffic control and Dragana Knezevic, Hillingdon Council's countryside and conservation officer, played an important role by helping on the day and arranging the clearing of the river bank before the day.

Lesley Crowcroft, chairman of he conservation panel, said: "It was a very successful community day with so many people of all ages working to make Eastcote shine."