The Cowsey

One of the biggest challenges I have found to date is, to engage with the residents of South Reading. After a failed attempt to roll out some cycling for health sessions - no take up at all! And not one for giving up, I decided to try another form of attack and got myself invited to a Friends of Cowsey meeting. The Cowsey is a great green space in South Reading that is used predominately by the odd dog walker and youths dabbling in some anti-social behaviour! The meeting was very positive and the group was only too delighted to have the opportunity to get young children and their parents to use the Cowsey - albeit in a respectful way. A funding application has gone in and if successful, will allow the footpaths/cycle paths to be upgraded. The long-term aim is to get a waymarked cycle path, that will take in the conservation work that has been carried out - bird and bat boxes, bird feeders etc. I am hoping that it may well bring out budding environmentalists that will want to preserve this under utilised space. However, the short term goal is to work with targeted families and put on "A bring your bike and picnic"event in the summer holidays. Something to look forward to....