Hosking Park transformed
The park, which is home to a war memorial, received a community makeover.
Hosking Park is looking the best it has in years thanks to the efforts of the community.
Anzac residents were joined by Brakpan CPF members and residents of other suburbs for a clean-up of the park on Saturday.
Hosking Park is home to the Garden of Remembrance, which is a historical landmark. The garden was opened on Armistice Day, November 11 in 1936.
The Moths and the community raised funds for the building of a cenotaph in the garden.
The cenotaph, reflecting the names of young men and women from Brakpan who had given their lives in war, was unveiled at the Armistice Day service in 1946.
The Moths held two services at the cenotaph each year, one to commemorate the battle of Dellville Wood in World War One and one on Armistice Day.
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It has been many years since any type of service has been held at the park. The cenotaph now lies in ruins and the park has become an illegal dumping hotspot and a haven for unsavoury characters.
Mary-Anne Ravenscroft, an organiser of the clean-up, told the Herald the aim of the initiative is to make an impact in the town and to stop illegal dumping.
This is the second community clean-up in the Anzac area in recent months.
As reported by the Brakpan Herald, the first took place on October 15 at the substation at the corner of Grey Avenue and Station Road.
“I see a lot of other people have also started to clean up the town and other areas where they see illegal dumping, which remains a big concern.
“We are trying to get the community involved to say let’s stop illegal dumping by cleaning it. Maybe when we clean more of our area then illegal dumping will stop.”
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Ravenscroft said that for future clean-ups, more equipment such as garden tools, particularly rakes, and gloves are required.
Assistance is also needed for the disposal of refuse.
“We are battling to get assistance with bakkies, trailers or a truck to load the refuse to take away to a dumping site,” she said.
“The only struggle we have is collecting and dumping the bags.”
Ravenscroft added they were not permitted to dispose of rubbish at the Weltevreden landfill site on Saturday and volunteers had to travel to other sites to dispose of the rubbish.
She is also awaiting feedback from the parks department on whether it will be able to assist with trucks and equipment for a section in the park that still needs to be cleared.
Brakpan Ward 97 Clr Brandon Pretorius, who also rolled up his sleeves and participated in Saturday’s clean-up, commended the group’s actions.
“I applaud these community initiatives. If everyone stands together it will make the town a better place,” he said.
