Overgrown Tweedy Park gets some TLC
Volunteers to the rescue of senior citizens who were unable to cut the long grass themselves.
The Tweedy Park Old Age Home no longer resembles a jungle, thanks to the efforts of community members who held an ’emergency’ clean-up at the home on Saturday.
Not willing to stand by idly and have the elderly residents live in an unkempt mess, young and old from over Brakpan tackled the overgrown council-owned premises.
The clean-up is a welcome relief to the home’s senior citizens who were embarrassed by their surroundings.
“The long grass is not pleasant as it is home to lots of insects and spiders that hatch in the grass,” said resident Rina Jooste (69).
“We can’t wash windows from the outside either. We have to hang out of the window from inside to wash.
“The son of a woman who lived here used to cut the grass regularly but stopped after the woman passed away months ago.”
Ninety-year-old Freda Botha told the Brakpan Herald she would cut the grass herself if she could because it bothers her.
“It is not a pretty sight. One feels ashamed to say Tweedy Park is the place you live,” she said.
Carol Thomson, a daughter of one of the residents, was worried the long grass would attract mosquitoes, fleas and ticks that could make the elderly residents sick.
Saturday’s clean-up has since allayed these fears and residents expressed their thanks to those who gave their time to make a difference.
In a gesture of appreciation, the residents sponsored a platter of eats for the volunteers.
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Organiser Mary-Anne Ravenscroft, from the community clean-up group, thanked everyone who rolled up their sleeves to make a difference.
The group saw the need to take immediate action and volunteers banded together at short notice.
“We can’t thank these community members enough,” she said.
The clean-up group, formally the Anzac community clean-up group, is gaining momentum as it endeavours to restore cleanliness to the town.
It was started last year and has seen different eyesore areas in Brakpan transformed, including Hosking Park.
Their next clean-up will be held on February 11.
Volunteers will meet at 07:00 at the corner of Kleinfontein Road and Edward Street to tackle the area behind the Royal Oak Country Club.
Those who would like to assist are requested to bring gloves, rakes and refuse bags. Anyone is welcome to help.
Donations of gloves, refuse bags and water for volunteers are also welcome.
