First Food bank set to open in St Ann’s

The former Laundrette on the Robin Hood Chase is being turned into a ‘Food bank’ which is set to open at the end of the month.

FOOD banks are opening across Nottingham because the number of people who cannot afford to feed their families is increasing.

Charities say the development shows the seriousness of the problem as unemployment and benefit changes mean residents struggle to make ends meet.

People must be referred to the food bank from a third party, like a Job Centre or Citizens Advice Bureaux, before being given a voucher entitling them to three days' worth of food.

A food bank is an organization that receives food donations to be distributed to those in need. You might be wondering……who provides the donations? A majority of food donations are made by food manufacturers, processors, grocery chains and other food suppliers. Companies and organizations, as well as members of the community, also play a key role by making generous monetary and food donations. Companies will often host food drives as a way to collect donations.
 
As donations come in, food banks work to ensure that food provided to customers is always edible and within the expiration date. Food banks work to safely provide for customers in the best means possible. Food banks can be found in most communities, and rely on the generosity of donors and volunteers to carry out day-to-day operations. Food banks often host major fundraising efforts, such as walks and other events, to bring in financial resources. All food banks serve one purpose: to help those in need.

Video: Homes For Heroes

A great deal has been written about the Nottingham Blitz of World War 2, and other parts of Britain which were devastated by Adolph Hitler’s bombs.

The raid on the night of 8-9 May by the German Luftwaffe was targeted at Nottingham and Derby. The X-Gerät beams set up to cover the Rolls Royce works were detected, and radio counter-measures diverted the attack to the moors north east of the town.

There were over 100 bombers in the Nottingham raid. Emergency services tackled 97 fires on the night of the Nottingham Blitz on May 8 and 9, 1941. Records list 12 fires as serious, 40 as major and 42 as medium. In some cases, fires started by incendiary bombs were put out before they took hold.

As the War ended there was a major house rebuilding program set up by the Government, known as “Homes for Heroes.” Its aim was to provide homes for returning British troops, and for families who lost their homes as a result of the blitz. Town Planning was hotly debated at this time, and in this interesting and informative video, town planners of the time explain there ideas and way of thinking © BBC TV.

Urgent Appeal for new committee members

Stonebridge Park Tenants & Residents Association (SPTRA) was formed in the summer of 2002 because the Stonebridge Estate was looking run down & needed some tender loving care to improve our homes and neighbourhood, in order to make the estate a nice place to live.

As a committee we have worked hard along side the local community to reduce antisocial behaviour, improve children’s play facilities, and regenerate the land.

Ben Rowson & I work during the day and we are finding it difficult to continue running SPTRA by our selves, so we urgently need new committee members to help keep our Tenants & Residents Association going.

Without this assistance we would not like to see SPTRA disband in September. This will be a very sad occasion for all of us after a decade of goals, and achievements for the whole community.

THIS IS AN URGENT APPEAL FOR NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS

At present SPTRA hold public meetings four times a year, and we have the same number of planning committee meetings, so that the total commitment is a couple of hours on eight separate occasions during the year, however you can give as little or as much as you want.

We also need volunteers to deliver flyers advertising public meetings, and some help with running social events.

One of our aspirations is to run a day trip to Skegness, which we have done in the past, and perhaps have bingo evenings or hold parties on special occasions at the Blue Bell Hill Community Centre.

Please can you help your community, friends & neighbours by volunteering a few hours of your time to become a committee member?

Please help Stonebridge Park Tenants & Residents Association, and your community, by putting your name forward --- We urgently need your help.

Email us at: stonebridgetra@gmail.com

Contact Mr Afzaal Nawaz at Nottingham City Homes Tel: 0115 915 7380

We would not like to see SPTRA disband in September, however, without your valuable assistance this may happen, so please do your best and help us to keep going.

Yours sincerely

Laura Summers (Chairlady, Ben Rowson (Treasurer), Afzaal Nawaz (Get Involved. NCH), Richard Pearson (Website Manager)

Stonebridge Bank holiday weekend event

ENTER

Take a victual visit to Pompeii today to see the remains of this once great city.

The final 24 hours of the Roman city of Pompeii are being relived on Twitter today - exactly 1,933 years after an eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the city beneath a blanket of ash.

The minute-by-minute reconstruction of the city's destruction is based on the tale of Pliny the Elder, the Roman scholar and admiral who took command of the city's evacuation.

The city's cataclysmic final day will be retweeted as it happened from the Twitter account Elder_Pliny, who has been brought to life by experts from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Scout & Girl Guide groups may return to St Ann’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

St Ann’s Ward is high on the agenda as Nottingham’s most deprived neighbourhood, and presently has no remaining Scout, Cubs or Girl Guide groups. A big difference from St Ann’s of old which had a number of such community groups, with popular Scout leader Mr Vernan Hawley leading the way.

According to today’s newspapers Scout & Girl Guide children & teenage groups may be on their way back for St Ann’s if the government has its way.

The government is set to make an announcement very soon.

External Works - WATES manager refuses to provide answer to local residents

Answer: August 23^rd starting in Wray Close where WATES will be installing a wooden fence at the rear of one of the properties.

On Monday residents living at the 51 properties to receive External Works on Stonebridge, said that they were unable to arrange holidays, visit family or friends, cut their front lawns, and even make preparations because no one from WATES had given them a start date for the work since June. 

I have received a volume of telephone calls & Emails from residents wanting to know when the External Works involving off road parking areas, and perimeter iron railings & fences would begin on their 51 properties.

WATES manager Mr Alan Bridgeford based at the site office in Melville Gardens, said that he knew the start date but refused to answer this simple question yesterday. Instead he  referred myself and local residents to the Decent Homes query line at Nottingham City Homes. In turn City Homes said that they had no information available.

Yesterday evening I contacted WATES Press officer Lucy O’Connor, and went on to contacted Steve Edlin Bsc., Head of Service Capital Programme at Nottingham City Homes this morning.

Today several residents living in Lytton Close, Eastham Close, Dennet Close & Stonebridge Road telephoned Nottingham City Homes for information about when the External work would begin at their properties. Locals are seeking a more precise answer to their query, rather than the vague answers they have been given up until now.

Finally I received an Email from Sarah Smith who is a Marketing Manager at WATES Living Space, who said “Thank you for your email regarding works at Stonebridge Park Estate.

“I have spoken with the site management team who have confirmed work will be commencing on Thursday 23^rd August. I hope this helps to address your query.”

Further enquiries brought to light a letter addressed to a lady in Wray Close who was happy to show it to me. It was from WATES manager Christine Neatby who says that she is happy to answer any queries or concerns about External Works from local tenants & residents. Her phone number is 0115 781280 Mobile 0773943510.

I would like to thank all the tenants & residents who contacted me and asked for my assistance, and all those residents who phoned Nottingham City Homes this morning. In addition I would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance of Communications Officer Mr Martine Valentine at Nottingham City Homes, and Press Officer Sara Smith at WATES Living Space for their valuable assistance. Richard.P.

Cladding video update ~ Day 24

133 days to 31st December ~ WATES’ completion deadline.  There are now eight houses with external wall cladding fitted and the cream exterior rendering is now being applied to two houses in Melville Gardens. This presentation begins in Melville Gardens, and as the music changes we view Paxton Gardens, Stonebridge Road and round into the the rear of the Paxton Gardens area. While the recent Nottingham City Homes Newsletter says that WATES is making good progress, 8 houses near completion in 3 1/2 weeks appears to be slow?

Limmen Gardens ~ highway closure notice

The new Department for Transport footpath & highway closure Notice will go up shortly. It is dated 20th August and any objections should be sent to: The National Transport Casework Team, 2nd Floor, Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE4 7YH The closing date is 17th September 2012. Copies of the plan & paperwork will be available to view at St Ann’s library.

ASRA News Update

 ASRA are now preparing to build 16 new houses in Limmen Gardens, do you have any comments or concerns?

‘Click here’ to have your say using the ASRA Feedback form

Alternatively you can email ASRA at enquiries@lha-asra.org.uk or call their Customer Contact Centre on 0116 257 6716.

The first customers have moved into the multi-million pound regeneration scheme at St Ann's in Nottingham.

The five-year regeneration scheme of Stonebridge Park is creating new homes in the area, as well as improved community facilities - and local residents have been involved in the regeneration scheme, which is close to Stonebridge Park.

The development is a partnership between ASRA Housing Group, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Nottingham City Council (NCC). The homes will be managed by Nottingham City Homes (NCH).

The HCA provided £5.5m to kick start the scheme, unlocking a total investment of £11m for new housing to create more choice for residents and a mixed and sustainable neighbourhood.

There will be 71 properties on Dennett Close, Beacon Hill Rise and St Matthias Road. These will include rent to home buy, and intermediate rent properties as well as social rented homes.

The first tenants have now been given the keys to their new home and are moving into their properties on Dennett Close.

Matt Cooney, ASRA Housing Group Chief Executive, said: "This is our flagship scheme and was achieved by all parties and the community working together. "We are very proud that we have also attracted buyers for the 24 private sale homes on this phase of the development."

All homes are built to high environmental and design standards, achieving Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Improvements to the public realm and green space have also been incorporated in the plans.

Of the 258 new properties on the site, 210 are two, three and four bedroom homes with the remaining 48 flats. Just over 240 properties that weren't demolished as part of the regeneration project are being refurbished.

The work has transformed Stonebridge Park, removing the "Radburn" style of housing in which homes face away from the street, with a more traditional street pattern.

The first customers moving in marks a period of great success for ASRA Housing Group's Development Team. The team managed to launch a successful marketing campaign that has led to almost all of the affordable homes being sold. 

Harjit Singh, from the Midlands Development Team said: "The two, three, four bedroom development was launched on the 28th of January with twelve units being secured on the day; all viewers were impressed by the show home, which was designed by the use of professional interior designers.

"All the homes included off road parking, full appliance package, ceramic tiles, eighty percent wool carpeting, high end contemporary kitchens and modern luxury bathroom suites.

"The remaining twelve were secured by the end of February, with only one sale falling through.  However this was also quickly secured, conveying the popularity of the development.  Furthermore, the legal completion of the sale followed very quickly meaning there was very little void period.

"Not only is Stonebridge Park an exciting new place to live, enjoying a vibrant café' culture, the local economy benefitted as local apprentices were used in the development."

Video update for 15th August 2012

The date of the next public meeting of SPTRA is on Wednesday 26^th September between 7pm – 8:30pm at Stonebridge City Farm.; meanwhile the latest Newsletter is being circulated in the next few days.

The local tenants & residents Association are urgently seeking new committee members to help organise public meetings, the distribution of leaflets & Newsletters and social events. You may give as little or as much of your time as you wish. If you are interested, please contact Mr Richard Pearson Tel 0115 854 3911, or Email Stonebridgetra@gamail.com

This is the latest video around the estate taken on a nice warm afternoon. [Day 15] of WATES external cladding works and still only 5 homes has been completed and no coloured rendering has been applied so far. There remains 141 days until New Year’s Eve when the cladding is meant to be finished.

The scaffolding around homes in preparation for external wall cladding, and homes nearing completion, are shown mainly in Melville gardens in the north of the estate, and later in the video in Stonebridge Road in the south-west of the Stonebridge Park Estate.

Half the homes in the bottom row of new houses in Dennet Close are now occupied, while work putting traffic calming measures on Dennet Road continues.

Beacon Hill House, the block of apartments in the middle of the western edge of the estate is nearing completion while work continues on the car parking areas at the rear of the building, and the frontages.

Magson Close is a similar story, the blocks of flats and apartments are almost complete, and the open plan frontage is being laid.

The new footpaths and road surfaces still need to be laid and new street lighting introduced all along the new Dennet Road.

I have been advised that the completion date, already extended until the end of this month, has again been extended into September.

Ops! Human error invalidates footpath Notices

Planning Notices put up in Limmen Gardens on 26th July setting out the closure of three footpaths in the area, were declared unlawful & invalid today.

Website manager Richard Pearson contacted the Department for Transport, and pointed out that the plan & paperwork the notices referred to had not been deposited at St Ann’s library!

Library staff searched every-where, but couldn’t find them.

After making enquiries, Karen Tweddle of the National Transport Casework Team, thanked Richard for noticing the error. The current Notices were then declared invalid while a copy of the required plan & paperwork was sent to the local library this afternoon.

New Notices will now be put up around Limmen Gardens and a fresh 28 day consultation period will began shortly.

The Department for Transport Notices rely upon the Outline Planning Application, Ref 09/01732/POUT submitted on 2 July 2009, and therefore the master plan of that year.

Footpath Closure to allow for new side road with ‘safety’ issues 

One proposed footpath closure in front of a row of 8 houses in Limmen Gardens (Numbers 55 – 69), will see the path become a new side road once the new planning application is submitted in a few weeks time.

Like the new road now under construction in Dennet Close, the proposed road in Limmen Gardens will have no footpath either side, so local residents can expect to walk directly out of their front gates into the road! However, there will be traffic calming measures in place so that cars will go slow along this new road.

The idea behind this new side road is simply to allow off road parking for a row of 6 new adjacent houses, ending in a cul-de-sac, presently occupied by two garages in Melville Gardens; a vacant unused grass area with high iron railings presently occupies this site.

The second & third proposed footpath closures refer to the area formerly occupied by the pedestrian underpass, since filled in, and the side road simply named Limmen Gardens. The developer plans to build a row of 4 new houses on the green on this corner of the Stonebridge Park Estate. Off road parking spaces for these homes will be from Beacon Hill Rise road, with a new narrow footpath leading to the rear of the premises.

Stonebridge City Farm Caribbean Day

Meet Lucy the loveable goat that likes to blow raspberries!

Sunday, 12 August from 12:00 noon

A taste of Caribbean Culture, Food and Music

Everyone is welcome to join the festivities

The Common Lands Team will be their who would like to meet with people who lived in old St Ann’s in the decade leading up to 1976

Mortgage joy for millions

By Macer Hall

HOMEOWNERS were last night given hope that mortgage rates will stay at a record low for the next three years - and could even be cut further within months.

City experts forecast that the Bank of England cut will mean a fall in monthly payments for the estimated three million households with mortgages above 0.5 per cent until mid-2015.

borrowers could save an average of £200 a year if rates follow the forecast of Vicky Redwood, chief UK economist of Capital Economics, who predicts a 0.25 per cent cut in the key interest rate "in November". She said: "The door is clearly open to more stimulus."

A cut will mean a fall in monthly payments for the estimated three million households with mortgages that track the base rate.

The forecasts follow a gloomy assessment of the economy from the Bank of England yesterday. In the quarterly inflation report bank chiefs cut the growth forecast for this year and next as the country struggles with the double-dip recession.

Video Old St Ann’s Photographs

St Ann's Reminiscences

SIXTEEN YEARS ago, with help from Mr Richard Pearson, St Ann’s library on the Robin Hood Chase began a unique project, ‘A Day of Memories’ and invited the people who once lived in this town to return and reminisce about the good old days, it became an annual event lasting over 5 year. People brought in old photo’s of the town as it use to be. This special presentation is a slide show of over 200 images set to the sounds of spring.

Discover more old photographs of Nottingham at: http://www.picturethepast.org.uk/

WATES Cladding Work remains slow

[Day 10] These photographs were taken on 6th August showing progress of the external wall cladding in Melville gardens, progress remains slow as only 2 1/4 homes have had external wall cladding applied without any surface rendering. There is 146 days remaining until New Years Eve.

External wall cladding in Melville gardens

This photograph in Melville Gardens was taken on 28 July as external wall cladding work began in the area.

 

The lower two photographs were taken on 4th August seven days later. Progress appears to be slow as WATES staff come to terms with the installation work.

Volunteers Spruce up Moffat Close gardens

In St Ann’s on Saturday 4th August a team of local volunteers lead by organisers Carly Williams & Martin Summerville helped tidy up and plant new shrubs and herbs in the Moffat Close community garden. Local children joined in the activities as well as chalk drawing, while a student from Barcelona (Spain) helped out, she was Pilar Campuzano. The rest of the people in this group photo are:

Cameron Cumberpatch, Sade Moore, Logan Maguire, Shiannon Kershaw, Alex Kemp, Evonne Cornejo, Dee Kershaw, Ashleigh. Neethan Kershaw, Iona Kelly, Dominic Thompson, Eileen Thompson, Carly Williams and Martin Summerville.

Police Crime figures for June 2012

1.   Hawk Ridge Gardens Violent crime 1, Drugs 1
Outcomes: Suspect charged 1, caution given 1)
2.   Eastham Close subway Violent crime 1
Outcome: under investigation 1)
3.   Paxton Gardens ASB 2, other theft 1
(outcome: no further action 1)
4.   St Matthias Road ASB 2, Criminal damage 1
Outcomes: Under investigation 1, suspect charged 1, community sentence 1)
5.   Limmen gardens subway ASB 1, other theft 1
(Outcome: no further action 1)
6.   Limmen Gardens ASB 1, Vehicle crime 1

Outcomes are not available for anti-social behaviour.

St Ann’s Children’s summer play activities

Spotlight on Limmen Gardens: - After demolition

All of the Limmen Gardens flats were demolished in 2009-10, the site cleared, and grassed over ready for redevelopment. These photographs were all taken recently.  The top photograph is a view of the green children’s play area, which is a lovely space used all the time by local children.

 

Limmen Gardens green open space in regular use as a children’s play area

Photo taken in 2007

Site of the top row of flats opposite Bluebell Hill Community Centre. 2011

Site of the middle row of flats from the Pym Walk footpath

Site of the bottom row of flats from Pym Walk footpath, Rocket Park is on the right. 2011

Site of flats, on the left seen from Limmen Gardens Road. 2011

A view of the same site. 2011