RICHARD ALLAN is Professor of Climate Science in the Meteorology Department at Reading University. He is also the current Chair of Keep Caversham Tidy, the small charity dedicated to eliminating litter, improving public spaces, and promoting environmental awareness in Caversham and nearby areas.
Keep Caversham Tidy was set up by Jacopo Lanzoni in 2020. It quickly evolved into weekly clearing sessions on a Saturday, and was established as a charity, with a team of trustees and formal policies on health and safety, safeguarding etc. Richard saw posts on Facebook and got involved, as it appealed to his interest in being outside and getting together with a group of like-minded people who also wanted to do some good.
The group runs a successful volunteer opportunity for Duke of Edinburgh award participants, and teamed up with the Fox and Hounds pub to do a joint litter pick for International Women’s Day in March. Richard quoted some impressive statistics for the past year: 75 different litter pickers, working around 1,000 volunteer hours, collecting around 1,000 bags of litter.
How long have you lived in RG4?
I moved to Reading in 1995 to do my PhD. I came to Caversham with my family in 2004 because of its distinct atmosphere and history. I love our local parks (Bugs Bottom, Balmore, Caversham Court and Christchurch Meadows), along with some impressive trees like the St Martin’s Precinct Oak, the Japanese Pagoda at the library, the Caversham Court Yew and others! It is also close to the South Oxfordshire countryside where I enjoy walking.
Where are your favourite places to eat, drink and shop in our area?
I don’t enjoy shopping generally but am a big fan of True Food Coop, which I think is a brilliant community-led initiative. I enjoy the walk over to the Loddon Brewery and the Flowing Spring.
How do you think we can be more eco-friendly here?
We should all think about how our actions impact climate change and try to reduce our carbon footprint. Locally, sign up to the Reading Adopt Your Street Initiative, or come along to our litter picking on a Saturday and help Keep Caversham Tidy.
How would you strengthen our sense of community?
We should get out of our “bubbles” and join community groups such as Keep Caversham Tidy, where you can meet a diverse group of people, from different backgrounds and ages, but with similar interests.
If you could bring anything here, such as an event, experience or a shop, what would it be?
I would like to see Caversham make more of its fascinating history.
If you would like to find out more about
Keep Caversham Tidy, check out their website www.met.reading.ac.uk/~sgs02rpa/KCT
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