AIREBOROUGH Rotary Club's Grand Easter Egg Hunt at Rodley Nature Reserve was a resounding success.

The event took place on Sunday, March 31, 2024 from 11am to 3pm and teamwork brought dividends all round for Aireborough Rotary, Aireborough Inner Wheel and the Rodley Nature Reserve itself.

A spokesperson for Aireborough Rotary Club said: "This year the preparatory work of organising the Easter Egg Hunt only took one meeting and everything went seemingly smoothly on the day.

"The team erecting and dismantling the gazebos ensured that everything was ready at both ends of the day including help being given to all the outside stallholders as they arrived.

"The car parking team worked miracles hindered at times by the bridge opening and having to keep an eye on backed up traffic and the various parking options available to them. Listening to their messages was a lesson in itself as early arrivals set the ball rolling.

"We were all aware that excellent publicity meant that this year was a sell out and a steady stream of eager families soon started appearing down the drive. Many of them were regulars encouraging their excited children to listen to the instructions. But it was a pleasure to welcome many first timers admitting they had never visited Rodley Nature Reserve before.

"Very quickly the stalls were thronged with visitors enjoying the variety of amusements and there was a steady queue outside the café. The Nature Reserve Shop both inside and out was kept busy and it was good to see the children drawing and colouring as well as being told about birds 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.

"From a fundraising point of view Aireborough Rotary collected around £1500 for its charities from its stalls and donations both on the day and online. Similarly sister organisation Aireborough Inner Wheel’s Lollipop Tree and Prize Every Time Jars raised £380 plus and a figure will eventually be available from the Nature Reserve itself. All this will have left a dedicated band of volunteers tired but happy with the satisfaction of having once again achieved a job well done."