Spring 2009 Our Times

STOCKBRIDGEREGENERATION

YOU SAID ...WE DID!!!

OLDHAMCARNIVAL

M O R E T H A N

J U S T A

L A N D L O R D

Your Estate Needs You!

THIS WILL BE THE SUB-HEADING FOR THEMAIN PAGE AND IT WILL BE IN CAPS

We currently have some vacancies on our Estate Management Committees in both Fitton Hill and Stockbridge Village. The committees have a real say on the day-to-day running of Villages Housing. For more information please turn to page 7.

Villages again took part in the Oldham Carnival Parade on 27 June. Our theme this year was ‘The Village People’. The crew danced all the way around the carnival route to their hit records of ‘YMCA’ and ‘In the Navy’ and other dance hits from the 1970s. See page 25 for more details

We’ve given away loads of brilliant prizes since the last edition of “Our Times”, including a Nintendo Wii, £250 cash and £100 of vouchers as part of the Status s u r v e y . Philip, from Stockbridge Village, won a prize for naming our own SuperLambBanana. Turn to page 4 to �nd out more!

Don’t forget, we give away prizes in every edition of Our Times so look out for the “Win A Prize” logo!

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P R I Z E ! !Oldham Carnival

ESTATEESTATEESTATEESTATEESTATEESTATEESTATEESTATE

Prize Winners

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COMMUNITY NEWS INSTOCKBRIDGE

M O R E T H A N J U S T A L A N D L O R DS U M M E R 2 0 0 92

OurTimes

Joint Tenants Forum

AFTER HOURSWIN A NINTENDO Wii

STARTS 20th APRIL 1-3PM

WORDS AND PICTURES Status Survey Fitton Hill Consultation Bus

On Thursday 11th June Stockbridge Village Tenants Forum members travelled to Fitton Hill for a Joint meeting at which various members of the Management Team presented Villages’ strategy on 3 important areas, namely Equality & Diversity (Lyn Kelly), Value for Money (Jed Pearson) and Customer Excellence (Bernie

McConnell).

Members were invited to ask questions and give their views on the strategies, and everyone agreed it was a

worthwhile insight into the way Villages works.

Do you want to tell us what our services are like by being a mystery shopper?

We want your help to make sure that we are delivering our services to the standards that we have said we will. We will provide training and support and we are looking to work closely with other Housing Associations to roll out

this programme.

This could simply mean popping into your local o�ce, visiting a neighbourhood, checking out our telephone service or seeing

how we respond to enquiries.

If you are interested in getting involved please contact either Barbara Murray or Janet

Taylor.

Two of our tenants who have already been involved really enjoyed the training and the experience. So why not try something new?!

Shops at The CroftWe are pleased to announce that soon all the shops will be fully occupied – a remarkable achievement given the current climate. There will be a new o�-licence and hairdressers opening and the o�–licence will also be providing a pay point service, something

we know that you value.

Villages are also working closely with training providers to extend the use of the Villages “Meeting Place” and hope to start Basic IT classes shortly. Look out for information in reception or contact

Barbara Murray with your details.

Mystery Shoppers

Villages now has a brand new website. With lots of new features, we hope you’ll �nd this new website much easier to use and more informative than the old website.

You can start downloading any lea�ets, forms, and newsletters from our website now. We’re hoping that you’ll soon be able to report a repair online and even pay your rent online soon.

We’d love to hear what you think, so please email your comments to [email protected].

New Villages Website

Members of both the Fitton Hill & Stockbridge Village Forums are always happy to welcome new members; in Oldham the meetings are every other month whilst in Knowsley they are monthly. If you would be interested in joining a Forum and having your say please contact Jan Taylor at Fitton Hill on 0161 633 4060, or Barbara Murray at Stockbridge on 0151 480

1313.

The Joint Forums meet either at Fitton Hill or Stockbridge Village (return transport and lunch is

provided) four times a year.


M O R E T H A N J U S T A L A N D L O R DS U M M E R 2 0 0 9 3

OurTimes

Rechargeable RepairsAFTER HOURS

WIN A NINTENDO WiiSTARTS 20th APRIL 1-3PM

WORDS AND PICTURES

Villages’ Taxi

Tenants’ ConferenceFollowing on from our successful Customer Excellence conferences, Villages Housing is arranging a Tenants Conference for Wednesday 30th September. The day is for any tenant or resident of either Fitton Hill or Stockbridge Village who is interested in the services that Villages provide and how we should develop them and monitor them in the future. We also want your views on how we can improve our local communities, by working with our partners.

The day will be a chance to hear from Villages Directors and other sta�, ask questions, take part in smaller groups and have a chance to win some great prizes! We want the day to be interesting, informative and fun.

The event will be in Oldham and run from 10am to 2pm. Free transport will be provided – leaving Stockbridge at 9am and returning by 3pm, hopefully in time to pick the kids up from school. We’ll also be providing a free lunch.

As we need to make arrangements you will need to book a place in advance. Please return the slip below as soon as possible, but no later than Friday 4th September 2009, to reserve a place.

Villages now has its very own taxi driving through the streets of Knowsley! We have had a regular “black cab” painted in a Villages design to help promote the organisation within the borough.

We brought it to the Villages o�ce in Stockbridge Village for a photo shoot with Villages sta� and then took it around the estate for some photos with our tenants. Our Chief Executive, Vernon Jackson, may even be considering a career change! Everyone seemed to really like it, and all agreed that it would raise the pro�le of Villages.

Peter, the taxi driver, told us he has had lots of interest from people getting in to his cab, particularly from the students at the local college where he collects from every morning and afternoon.

Tenants Conference – 30th September 2009

Name

Address

Home Tel No

Mobile No

Please return slip to your local o�ce or to Hannah, Villages Housing, Freepost NWW1401A, before 4 September 2009.



OurTimes

Rechargeable Repairs

DI WOOD


SASHA CUTTER

Status Survey

Prize Winners!!

Sasha has been on a temporary assignment at Fitton Hill for around 6 months, during which time she has been a familiar face on our reception desk helping customers with their enquiries. Sasha has been given a further temporary contract and she is really enjoying her time working with Villages.

Mel Ingham joined the company as a Senior Customer Service O�cer in 2004 when the Fitton Hill Estate underwent the stock transfer from Oldham MBC. She joins Housing Software company, Aereon in July.

VILLAGES GIVES AWAY LOTS OF LOVELY PRIZES

First of all, we awarded Philip from Stockbridge Village, his prizes for naming our own SuperLamBanana! Philip suggested the name Stockie and all the sta� from Villages, both Stockbridge and Fitton Hill, voted this to be the best

name of them all!

Congratulations to Philip, and thanks to everyone who

entered!

Residents of Stockbridge Village were o�ered the chance to be entered in to a prize draw if they allowed

our gas contractors, KHT, access to their homes on the �rst visit to do the annual gas safety check. Mrs McCrae was the �rst Villages tenant to receive the £50 prize. Congratulations to her!

We o�ered all Villages tenants the chance to be entered into a prize draw if they �lled in and returned the status surveys we sent out in May. There were some great prizes on o�er including a Nintendo Wii, £250 cash and £100 in shopping vouchers. The lucky winners were drawn randomly and they were all

really pleased with their prizes!

New Starters &Recent Leavers

Rachael is the new Customer Services O�cer based at Fitton Hill. She’ll be helping tenants with day to day enquires and has come from First Choice Homes in Oldham. Previously she was collecting former rent arrears and housing bene�ts overpayment for First Choice. In her spare time she enjoys running.

We wish them both the best of luck in their new jobs.

And Good Luck toDi worked for Oldham Council at the time Villages completed the stock transfer in 2004. Di has been an outstanding Estate Management O�cer, talented in all areas of her work but especially anti-social behaviour. She is now looking for new challenges with Tameside Council, as a Tenancy Enforcement O�cer.

Mel Ingham

RACHAEL LEGGAT

MEL INGHAM


OurTimes



WORDS AND PICTURESFitton Hill Consultation Bus

Villages Rewards is a reward scheme launched by Villages Housing to say “Thank You” to all our residents for paying your rent regularly and

keeping to your tenancy agreement.

Through our tenant reward scheme we want to reward good behaviour and encourage customer loyalty.

But this is just the start. We will be introducing more ways to say thank you and we will keep you informed through our magazine, ‘Our Times’ and our website www.villages.org.uk

There are two types of rewards on o�er; various Prize Draws and a Golden Goodbye Scheme.

Villages Rewards

Direct Debit drawA simple way to pay your rent and/or service charges is by Direct Debit. This is our preferred method of payment, as it is economical to administer and is very easy to use. Direct Debit payments can be paid on 1st or 15th of each month or weekly on a Monday. All members who pay by direct debit will be placed in an annual draw for a

£100 prize.

Golden Goodbye Scheme

You can also qualify for a golden goodbye reward of £70 when you end your tenancy if you:

• Give 4 weeks’ notice and allow accompanied viewings while you are still in your home,• Leave your home in excellent condition,• Allow a pre-termination inspection and minor repairs to be carried out to your property during your notice period.

Golden goodbyes are only available to tenants who end their tenancy.

The Golden Goodbye payment is subject to an Estate Management O�cer’s visit and their decision is �nal. Fore more information on any of these schemes, have a look at our website

www.villages.org.uk

W I N

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P R I Z E ! !

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P R I Z E ! !

Villages Feedback drawWe are keen to hear what you think of our services. If you �ll in and return our surveys, you’ll be entered into a monthly prize draw

to win £50.

Gas Access draw If you give access to our gas contractor on the �rst visit you will be entered into a

monthly draw to win £50.

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P R I Z E ! !




OurTimes

You Said

YOU SAID WE DID


WORDS AND PICTURES

Brookside’s Big 4-0!

Fitton Hill Consultation Bus

A resident of Stockbridge complained to reception that people were parking in disabled bays in the Croft car park who did not display

disabled badges.

Tenants in phase 2 of the multis project (Firscraig) asked for the same contractors to be used as in phase 1, because of the high standard of work

completed in phase 1.

We Value Your Suggestions on how we can improve our services to you. There are Suggestions Boxes in both Fitton Hill and Stockbridge Village reception areas or you can call your local Villages O�ce or email us

at [email protected].

Why not get involved in our Tenants Forums or come along to the Tenants Conference and have your say on many aspects of Villages’ Services?

You Said... We Did!

We can’t attend Tenants Forum meetings, because they are held during the day

We will be trialling evening Tenants Forum Meetings. These will be held at 6pm in the Craigs Community Centre on 7th September (STOCKBRIDGE) and 5.30 - 6.30pm Wednesday

19 August in the Villages Boardroom (FITTON HILL)

After negotiations with the contractor, we have managed to secure the same contractor to do

the work on Firscraig (Seddons)

It was thought that this may be due to the paint having worn away, so it was not obvious that this was a disabled bay. Within 48 hours new disabled bay lines had

been painted.

We have now ordered some new seating for elderly/disabled residents who have di�culty

standing in the queue

Some of our tenants who were calling in to the Stockbridge o�ce to pay their rent said that they had di�culty standing in the queue sometimes

Brookside County Primary School in Stockbridge Village celebrated its 40th Birthday on 24 June with a street party. The children and sta� all dressed in 1960’s costumes to re�ect the era in which the school was built. The party was made all the more poignant because Brookside school is due to close down in 2011 and merge with Nine Tree school.

The children did some research into the school, the area and home life in the 1960’s in the morning, then in the afternoon the festivities really got going! The kids and sta� and specially invited guests, had lunch at the street party, then played some 1960’s games and sung songs from the 60’s afterwards with a children’s entertainer. This was followed by a “Brookside’s Got Talent” competition.

At the end of the day the children received commemorative mugs for them to remember the day by.

We Did


OurTimes


WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER OF ONE OF OUR ESTATE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES?


WORDS AND PICTURES

Your Estate Needs You!!!


For two weeks in January, sta� from the Fitton Hill o�ce together with our consultants, BCA landscapes, toured the estate on the Xpress youth bus and consulted with many residents regarding our initial proposals for the environmental works programme.

Many thanks to everyone who attended our consultation events and gave us views on what was most important to you.

What we do at Villages is all about you! Whether you are a tenant or an owner occupier, young or not so young, your opinion matters to us.

At Fitton Hill we are inviting expressions of interest to �ll two tenant and one owner occupier places on the Committee. At Stockbridge there are vacancies for 2 new tenant members.

The Committees include Villages’ Board members, tenants, owner occupiers, local councillors and, at Fitton Hill, a representative from the NDC.

The Committees meet every quarter at the local area o�ce. The meetings are usually held in the morning and last for approximately two hours. The Committees have a real say on how Villages’ day-to-day services are provided; discuss local issues and make decisions about local community grants.

Sometimes, elections need to be held, and if this is the case, they will need to be held before 16th September 2009.

You do not need any experience as training will be provided. Your estate and Villages needs YOU for your local knowledge, commitment to the community and your enthusiasm.

If you are interested in getting involved and having a say please complete the form below and return it to Villages Housing (FAO of Lin Trueman) by the 31st July 2009. You will then need to complete an application form which we’ll send out to you, then we’ll interview potential EMC Members.

ESTATEESTATEESTATEESTATEESTATEESTATEESTATEESTATE

ESTATE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

I would like to express an interest in becoming a member of the following Estate Management Committee

Fitton Hill Stockbridge Village

Name:

Address:

Contact telephone number:

Mobile telephone number:

Deadline 31st July 2009Please return to your local area o�ce or by post to Lin Trueman, Villages Housing, Freepost NWW1401A




OurTimes


WORK BEGINS ON STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE TRANSFORMATION





With much needed investment secured and positive support from residents, work is now beginning on the multi-million pound project to transform

Stockbridge Village.

The phased build programme will deliver a range of improvements to the area, including the provision of new leisure facilities incorporating a new gym, swimming pool and community space, new primary school and children’s / family centre, library, improved health facilities, all weather sports pitches, outdoor play facilities and improved village centre

and retail o�ering.

Cllr Bill Weightman from Knowsley Council, commented:

“Stockbridge Village is an important priority for the council and not just in terms of creating new buildings and open spaces. We want to work with our partners and the community to make real changes to the area that will improve quality of life and increase

the opportunities available to people.

We are pleased that work on the physical development will begin shortly, which is an

important step in this regeneration initiative.

Stockbridge Regeneration Plans We hope that this will be a visible symbol of a fresh new start for Stockbridge Village and demonstrate our commitment to pushing forward with this

programme of work.”

In conjunction with this, work will begin to re-locate facilities from the old Heatwaves Leisure Centre to allow for preliminary dismantling and demolition works. However, Heatwaves will stay open for the summer period to allow key services and activities to continue and be relocated. Once the site is cleared, construction work will begin on the new

Primary School and Children’s Centre.

The new leisure facilities and community space will be constructed on the land adjacent to The Withens

/ Denes Way.

The building works will be delivered in stages to ensure that key services and circulation around and

through the village will be maintained.

During construction, replacement leisure facilities will be provided at Christ the King Learning Centre. Library services will also be relocated here, with an additional mobile service visiting the village once

every 2 weeks.

Details of these replacement services will be circulated to residents via a local newsletter and by visiting the council

website www.knowsley.gov.uk.


OurTimes

Villages retains IIP Status




The refurbishment works at The Craigs recommenced on 15th May when Seddons launched the programme of works for Firscraig at The Craigs Community Centre. Residents were invited to view bathroom and kitchen samples and complete forms stating their choices of materials for works on their apartments.

Many residents attended the launch and the longest resident at Firscraig, Kitty Robinson, was presented with a bouquet from Villages Housing Association.

Seddons will also be carrying out the window replacement programme at Firscraig and will, for the duration of the works, be based at 1 Little Moss Hey, where respite facilities will also be available for residents whilst works are in progress to tenants’ apartments.

Ongoing planned works for Whincraig include composite doors and frames to be �tted to every apartment; refurbishment of lifts; external painting and refurbishment of reception on the ground �oor.

ABCA have now completed worksat Firscraig and Mosscraig and are, at present, working in Whincraig upgrading �ats for the Digital TV Switch over. It is envisaged that all of these works will be completed by the middle of July and works on the Cli�s Multi-Storeys is anticipated to start at the end of July.

News From The Multi-Storeys

HOUSING SURGERYColin La�erty, Project O�cer, is available at his

surgeries at the following times:

Whincraig O�ce Contacts (speci�c enquiries regarding apartments to let) tel. 0151 449 1788 m. 07802465280 or email: Project Leader

[email protected]

Fridays 12noon—1pmCraigs Community Centre

The Project Team are pleased that we are now undertaking block inspections with residents on a regular basis. For information about inspections, or to get involved, please call our Whincraig O�ce on 0151 449 1788.

WHINCRAIGFIRSCRAIG

BLOCK INSPECTIONS

Thursdays 2pm - 4pmGround �oor Merecli�,

Investors In People (IIP) is a voluntary standard based on 12 key performance indicators and the generation of objective evidence. Organisations who sign-up to Investors in People make a commitment to the development and training of their sta� in order to meet their own organisational goals and objectives, and are assessed in line with these standards. If the external assessors can �nd su�cient evidence of policy and practices in line with each indicator, the organisation is awarded 'recognition' of its Investors in People status.

Villages Housing were �rst awarded IIP status in 1997 and we have recently been reviewed to ensure we continue to meet the standard, and are pleased to con�rm that we retained our status and continue to meet the standard.




OurTimes


FITTON HILL OFFICE NOW A HATE CRIME THIRD PARTY REPORTING CENTRE


WORDS AND PICTURES

Cleaner Villages

Villages in the fight against Race HateVillages Fitton Hill housing o�ce is now a Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centre for the community. Fitton Hill sta� recently attended hate crime reporting training, presented by Oldham Race Equality Partnership (OREP) and Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (OMBC). As a result Villages Fitton Hill housing o�ce is now o�cially a Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centre.

What is a Hate Crime/Incident & Harassment?

A hate crime or incident (not all will be criminal o�ences) or harassment occurs when anti-social behaviour or nuisance is deliberately or persistently targeted on an individual, or a group, and is motivated by the o�ender’s hate of someone because of race, sexuality, disability, age, religion etc and can include the following:

Many hands make light work and on Thursday 19 March pupils and sta� from St. Martins and Medlock Valley Schools, people from Groundwork, Oldham Council’s ‘Clean, Safe & Green’ team, and the Villages Fitton Hill Landscape Team joined forces to clear up a local ‘grot spot’.

The footpath from Broadoak Crescent through to Tuns Road, and the adjoining land was cleared of bag after bag of all sorts of litter, plastic, glass and more!

A big thank you – and a pat on the back – to everyone who took part and helped transform the area, especially the 60+ children from the two schools.

• Race: on the grounds of a person’s racial or perceived racial group.• Disability: on the grounds of a person’s disability.• Age: on the basis of a person’s age.• Religion: on the basis of a person’s religion or perceived religion.• Sexuality: on the grounds of a person’s sexual orientation or gender.

We would urge anyone a�ected by a hate crime incident or harassment to come forward – and we mean anyone, not just Villages tenants.

At the time of the Inquiry into the racially motivated murder of Stephen Lawrence, The McPherson Report stated “A racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person.”

STOP ALL HATE CRIME 24 HOUR HOTLINE: 0800 138 1625Oldham Race Equality Partnership: 0161 621 9690

Greater Manchester Police: 0161 872 5050

Please speak up, don’t su�er in silence!

Knowsley residents are being o�ered the chance to sign up for a new food waste collection recycling service, which will be introduced from 5 October 2009. Residents will receive a mini caddy and a supply of compostable liners which can be used to store food waste in the kitchen before transfer to the external container. The food waste will be collected by the Council on a weekly basis and taken for composting into a soil improving fertilizer.

Those interested in signing up for the service are asked to register their interest by calling 443 2400, logging on to the Council’s website on www. knowlsey.gov.uk or calling into one of the Council’s one-stop shops .

KMBC Food Waste


OurTimesTackling Anti-Social Behaviour

AFTER HOURS

3 GREEN LIGHTS FOR VILLAGES


ZERO TOLERANCE TOWARDS ANY KIND OF ASB

Great News!

Zero Tolerance to Anti-Social Behaviour

Villages Housing has always clearly stated that it will not tolerate anti-social behaviour (ASB) of any kind and will take whatever action is necessary, including possible eviction and prosecution.

Villages has been working in partnership with Oldham Community Safety Unit (Fitton Hill) and Knowsley Housing Trust (Stockbridge Village) for some time in an initiative to help tackle anti-social behaviour in Stockbridge Village and Fitton Hill.

ASB is a nationwide problem but we realise that, as residents, you are only concerned with the local problems that directly a�ect your lives. Working with our partners has produced results and serious incidents of anti-social behaviour have actually reduced over the past 2 years and the number of incidents of a serious nature that we are dealing with have reduced signi�cantly.

In Stockbridge, Villages is working with KHT’s Tenancy Enforcement Unit to take strong sanctions including ASBOs, injunctions and evictions, where necessary, to make the area a better place to live. Working together with our partners including Merseyside Police, Knowsley Council and other agencies in the Knowsley Borough, we are taking �rm action against those responsible for anti-social behaviour in Stockbridge Village.

At recent meetings, residents have expressed concerns about the nuisance caused by scrambler bikes on Stockbridge Village. We are working in partnership with Knowsley Council & Merseyside Police to address these problems but we need your help. Any information you can provide may help us.

Please ring any of the following phone numbers:Villages Housing 0151 480 1313KASBU 0151 443 2000Crime Stoppers 0800 555111Police 0151 709 6010

We know that the majority of residents of Stockbridge Village and Fitton Hill are good, decent people and it is only a small minority of the community that are responsible for the majority of incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Please don’t let these families make your lives a misery. Villages Housing rely on local residents to tell us when anti-social behaviour is happening, especially when it interferes with the enjoyment of their lives and homes. All information given is kept in the strictest of con�dence.

Villages have now recruited our own Anti-Social Behaviour O�cer. Sue Grimmett (formerly an E.M.O. at Stockbridge) will focus solely on dealing with incidents of

anti-social behaviour in Stockbridge Village and Fitton Hill.

Vernon Jackson, Chief Executive for Villages Housing commented: “We are determined to take whatever actions are necessary to ensure people can enjoy their homes and communities.”

All housing associations are monitored by the Tenants Services Authority, and are measured against three key criteria; Governance, Financial Viability and Management. Villages has recently received our latest assessment, and we are delighted to announce that we have achieved greens across the board. This is great news, rewarding all the hard work on the recovery plan for Governance and bucking the trend on Finance in what are very challenging times, in both our sector and nationally.

The Board and Management Team would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone for their e�orts, please keep it up.

M O R E T H A N J U S T A L A N D L O R DS U M M E R 2 0 0 9 1 1



OurTimes



WORDS AND PICTURES Status Survey

Kids Have Their SayOn Tuesday 31 March 2009, Bernie McConnell, Head of Housing Services, and Stephen Jackson, Senior Surveyor, welcomed pupils and sta� from local Medlock Valley Community School to discuss the planned £3 million+ environmental improvement programme for Fitton Hill that is due to start any time now.

The children were given the opportunity to have their say on what improvements they would like to see on the estate. High on their list of priorities were:• A safer environment – pelican crossings, speed bumps, CCTV, less cars, tra�c lights, more cars parked o� the road (7 children)• A cleaner greener environment - less litter, more bins, more litter pickers, more plants & �owers (7 children)• A more child friendly environment – climbing frame for school, activities in the playground, more play areas on the estate, a park (5 children)• Other – more places to sit down, more shops & a supermarket, less shutters on shops or brighter shutters on shops, better grass cutting on land opposite school [Please note, this is not Villages’ land] (6 children)• In a perfect community – a swimming pool (but this idea was from one of the adults and not a child!)

Bernie and Steve were able to assure the young people that although not all of their ideas would or could become reality, many of the things they had mentioned were already included in the plan for improving their estate.

For example, high on the list of tenants’ priorities is to have a driveway to get cars o� the road – so the children are in agreement! There will be more planting and landscaping on the estate during the programme of works, including a major re-development of the roundabout on Keswick Avenue and Fir Tree Avenue to make it a focal point on the main route through the estate.

We are particularly interested to hear from any residents who would be willing to get involved in the project, including helping choose the contractor who will deliver the programme of work and joining progress meetings. This will not take up too much of your time but will occur during o�ce hours.

For further information, please contact Bernie McConnell or Stephen Jackson, call 0161 633 4060.

The House Party on Tour

On 7th April 2009 the Oldham Housing Investment Partnership (OHIP) brought together tenants and residents from several housing providers, including

Villages, for another community cohesion event.

After introductions and refreshments at the Centre for Professional Development (CPD) on Rosary Road, people divided into 3 minibuses for a visit to

a Temple, a Mosque and a Church.

Most people were fascinated by the visits. At all three places of worship the groups were made to feel most welcome, and the various rituals were explained. The Temple was beautiful, bright and colourful, the Mosque austere but welcoming, whilst the Church was stunning with stained glass,

statues and gold.

As a mark of respect everyone removed their shoes when visiting the Temple and Mosque, and most agreed that they were delighted they had taken the opportunity to ‘see for themselves’. People were also surprised at the similarities between the

three di�erent faiths.

Visits over, it was back to the CPD for a very pleasant lunch and time to re�ect on and evaluate

the event.

Villages Housing has contributed towards the fund, along with many Oldham companies and organisations including Oldham Athletic FC, Oldham Coliseum and other housing providers.


OurTimes



WORDS AND PICTURES

Stockbridge Village Library

Community MessagingVillages is part of the Safer Knowsley Partnership, which is working with local communities to make Knowsley a safer place to live, work or visit. SKP are committed to reducing crime and disorder and to improve communication within the community, so have introduced 'Community Messaging'. This is a new message alert system which links Merseyside Police and the community by providing up to date, relevant and timely crime information to our members within Knowsley.

Join Knowsley Community Messaging and you can be informed by email, text, fax or voice message to your mobile or landline telephone about local crime issues, crime reduction advice, appeals for witnesses and other speci�c information relevant to where you live or work.

If you have any information about crime in your area, the Community Messaging System will allow you to reply to the SKP messages con�dentially, all from the comfort of your own home! To register or to �nd out more, visit www.knowsleycommunitymessaging.org or call the Community Messaging Administrator on 0151 777 6217.

To report crimes or incidents please contact Merseyside Police on 0151 709 6010 or in an Emergency dial 999.

GET THE MESSAGE

Summer Reading

Challenge

Stockbridge Village Library is located in the Heatwaves building, accessed through a separate entrance to the left. This will remain open during the summer months whilst key services and activities are re-located. Make sure your library is well used! Speak to sta� for more details, Telephone: 0151 480 3925

Children can join in too by enrolling on this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – Quest Seekers. When children have read 6 books they will be entered into a prize draw to win a gift voucher. Please ask sta� for more details at the beginning of the school holidays.

CHILDREN - QUEST SEEKERS

Plus there will be lots of children’s activities throughout the summer holidays - events will be advertised around Stockbridge Village and in the library nearer the time.

Win a prize in our free Adult and Teenage Summer Reading Challenge Draw! Yes, you can win a gift voucher simply by collecting stickers every time you visit your local library to borrow items. Knowsley Libraries have lots of exciting summer reads so, go on, spoil yourself!

ADULTS AND TEENAGE




OurTimes






Performance: How Are We Doing?We want to improve the services we o�er you, so we keep a constant check on how we are doing.

The tables below show you how we are performing against our targets, for Villages Housing Association (VHA) and Villages Community Housing Association (VCHA), which is the Charitable subsidiary of Villages Housing Association.

Key Performance for the year to date is at or better than target

The trend over the previous three months is improving

Performance for the year to date is around the target figure

Performance is steady or there is no significant trend over the previous three months

Performance for the year to date is below the target figure

The trend over the previous three months is worsening

Villages Community Housing Association

Oct Nov Dec Mar Target Year to Date

Trend

Average re-let times (The number of days it takes us to let out homes)

27 23 27 27 50

% Emergency repairs complete within target time (The % of emergency repairs completed on time)

100% 100% 98% 99% 100%

% Urgent repairs complete within target time (The % of urgent repairs completed on time)

100% 100% 100% 99% 98%

% Routine repairs complete within target time (The % of routine repairs completed on time)

94% 98% 98% 97% 98%

% overall satisfaction with day to day repairs (The percentage of customers who were satisfied with their repairs)

100% 100% 99% 98% 95%

% of properties with a valid gas certificate. (The % of properties which have had their annual gas safety check)

100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Rent collected as a % of net rent charged (The % of rent collected since April 2008)

108% 110% 108% 100% 99%

Average Phone Response time (seconds) (The average amount of time it takes to answer a phone call)

9 9 11 11 10


OurTimes




Villages Housing Association

Oct Nov Dec Mar Target Year to Date

Trend

Average re-let times (The number of days it takes us to let out homes)

31 25 24

23 37.5 % Emergency repairs complete within target time (The % of emergency repairs completed on time)

99% 99% 99%

99% 100%

% Urgent repairs complete within target time (The % of urgent repairs completed on time)

99% 99% 99%

98% 98%

% Routine repairs complete within target time (The % of routine repairs completed on time)

99% 98% 99%

98% 98%

% overall satisfaction with day to day repairs (The percentage of customers who were satisfied with their repairs)

100% 100% 99%

98% 95%

% of properties with a valid gas certificate. (The % of properties which have had their annual gas safety check)

100% 100% 100%

100% 100%

Rent collected as a % of net rent charged (The % of rent collected since April 2008)

102% 103% 105%

100% 99%

Average Phone Response time (seconds) (The average amount of time it takes to answer a phone call)

9 9 11

11 10




OurTimes


GOOD NEIGHBOURS AWARDS


THAT’S WHEN GOOD NEIGHBOURS BECOME GOOD FRIENDS!

Good Neighbours


Do you know somebody in your community who deserves a special thank you? A person who does that extra little thing that makes your

neighbourhood a better place?

You have the opportunity to say thanks through the �rst ever Good Neighbours in Knowsley Awards, in partnership with the Knowsley

Challenge.

All you have to do is say what makes that person so special.

Application forms are available from Villages’ reception, or at the council’s One Stop Shops, or can be completed and submitted at the Good Neighbours stalls at the summer events. The forms are also available through the council’s website at

www.knowsley.gov.uk/goodneighbours

There will be an award for each community, with nominations sought for the following areas:• North Huyton• South Huyton• North Kirkby• South Kirkby• Prescot, Whiston, Cronton, and Knowsley Village• Halewood

There will also be an overall award for Outstanding Achievement in the Community.

The awards will be presented at the Huyton Suite on Thursday 24th September. The deadline for

entries is Tuesday 1st September.

The warmer weather gives us all an ideal opportunity to spend some time with other people in the local community.

This summer, Knowsley Council is hosting events across the borough to bring together people from all walks of life, regardless of their age, background, or gender.

They are an ideal opportunity to catch up with your neighbours and some of the people who live in your community that you might not have seen for a while. You never know, you might even make some new friends and meet some more “Good Neighbours”!

Cllr Ron Round, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “The events are a great opportunity for the people of Knowsley to do something they love – talk to each other. There is also a chance for residents to say a special thank you to the people who make their community a better place to live, through the �rst ever Good Neighbours in Knowsley awards.”

Come along to the Good Neighbours stalls at the following events to get your free tea-bags, mugs and tea towels. All you have to do is �nd someone to share the cuppa with!

July 5th Halewood Community Festival (Halewood Leisure Centre)July 11th North Huyton Community Festival (River Alt Resource Centre, Huyton)July 18th Kirkby Community Festival (Millbrook Park, Kirkby)August 8th McGoldrick Park Fun Day (McGoldrick Park, Huyton)August 9th Knowsley Flower Show (Court Hey Park, Huyton)

You can organise your own event if you want. In fact, people are doing this across the country on Sunday 19th July as part of The Big Lunch. For advice on how to do this, download the information pack from Knowsley Council website (www.knowsley.gov.uk), or ask at the One Stop Shops. You can also visit www.thebiglunch.com.


OurTimes


CALDO VERDE


WORDS AND PICTURES

RecipeEuropean Neighbours Day

INGREDIENTS:2 large onions4 cloves garlic30ml/1� oz olive oil1 chorizo sausageLarge bunch of spring greens or other cabbage 6 medium potatoes1.5 litres / 2 pints vegetable of chicken stockFreshly ground black pepper, to season2 bay leavesSmoked paprika and olive oil for dressing

The residents of Stockbridge Village got together on Tuesday 26th May to celebrate European Neighbours Day in the SPACE building.

The event is intended to b r i n g together the c o m m u n i t y to enjoy food from across Europe and

intergenerational activities. This year the hot food was provided by Squash Nutrition and the Tenants Forum organised a cold bu�et of French bread and European sausages and cheeses. There were re-cycling and craft activities for families, information about training opportunities and the newly launched KMBC “Good Neighbour” mug was given out on the day. Some residents took part in a philosophical enquiry to discover the qualities of being a good neighbour and everyone had an opportunity to nominate a neighbour for a Good Neighbour Award.

This year the event, which was funded by Pool Hey Community Garden and the Tenants Forum, attracted over a hundred residents. There were seven nominations for the Good Neighbour Award, so it was agreed that Villages would present bouquets to all residents who had been nominated for their good works in our community.

There was also a competition to guess the details about an old photograph. It was actually the SEASCOUTS at the Empire with Norman Wisdom in 1972. There wasn’t a clear winner, but two close runners up, who will both receive a box of chocolates for their good memories!

If you would like to take part in future Philosophy for Communities Debates please contact Barbara Murray, Community Development O�cer, on 0151 480 1313 or email [email protected] as we are hoping to organise more in the Autumn.

Squash Nutrition made a delicious Portuguese Green Broth at European Neighbours Day. Everyone who tasted it said it was “gorgeous”! So we’re giving you

the recipe for you to make it at home.

METHOD:1 – Finely chop the onions and crush the garlic and fry these with the olive oil in a heavy bottomed pan for 5 minutes or so or until translucent2 - Chop the sausage into small chunks and add to the onion and garlic mix. Fry these together for a few more minutes 3 – Peel and dice the potatoes and add to the pan and stir fry for a few minutes. They will absorb all the �avour from the sausage4 – Add the stock, seasoning and bay leaves and cook until the potatoes are soft – about 10 minutes5 – Meanwhile, very �nely chop the cabbage so it’s like grass!6 – When the potatoes are ready mash them into the liquid with a masher to make a thick base7 – Add as much cabbage as the broth will take – if you want heavy soup add loads of greens, if lighter add less8 – Simmer for a few minutes, the soup will go the colour of jade9 – Mix the smoked paprika with some olive oil to make a dressing, and swirl this red magic into the vibrant green soup

Serve with heavy country bread




OurTimes

Martial Arts Success Again!

Photograph courtesy of Oldham Chronicle


WORDS AND PICTURES

Status SurveyFitton Hill Consultation Bus

Martial Arts group Siam Cam, which meets at Fitton Hill, staged a tournament at Tara Leisure, Shaw, as part of their 25th Anniversary celebrations and it attracted groups from all over England and Wales.

One of Siam Camp’s top students, Andrew Lofthouse, has recently returned from the 6th World Games in Thailand with a silver medal. We’re very proud of Andrew at Villages, as he has received funding from Villages’ Community Budget to help him on his road to success.

When the outside play area of Krafty Kids nursery was vandalised back in March, Jackson Lloyd employees Mark and Neil, really went the extra mile to help out in their own time to repair some of the damage.

The group was delighted with that help but, as if that wasn’t enough, members of the Fitton Hill Estate Management Committee then went on to approve a Community Budget Grant application so that the nursery could have security fencing installed.

They say “every picture tells a story” and we think you will agree that the children look delighted in their new secure environment.

Meanwhile, Andrew’s chief instructor, Kevin Lloyd, returned from Thailand where he became the �rst European to be awarded the prestigious title of Grand Master.

Community Budget Krafty KidsThe Community Budget exists to give �nancial help to any community group or individual who is committed to improving the quality of life for our residents. Whether it’s a �shing club, a gardening project, a dance group, a day out – the list is endless – why not see if we can help?

We will also try and help support you if you have an idea or project that you would like to get o� the ground. The process is simple and applications for funding are considered regularly by the local Estate Management Committee for your area.

Some successful applications have been:

Stockbridge Village:• Heatwaves Parents and Toddlers trip to Chester zoo• Luncheon Club Easter celebrations• Nine Tree Primary trip to Kingswood Activity Centre

Fitton Hill:• Friends of Medlock Valley Community School (PTA) for 5 benches for the school grounds• Tiger & Tots Nursery Group for an educational day trip to Cannon Hall Farm with coach travel, entrance fee and meal• Medlock Valley Community School for specialist work to address small minority of disruptive pupils.

So if you are organising an event or need �nancial support for a community project please contact Barbara Murray or Jan Taylor for an application pack and further details. Apologies: Applications completed for May Estate Management Committee will now be considered at meeting on 17th July.


OurTimes

Villages Supports Summer Uni

GREENHALGH FISHERIES - SUMMER HOLIDAYS

PARTRIDGE LAKES


LUGGSMORE LANE COMMUNITY FISHERY

Status Survey

Stockbridge Fishing ClubOn the 10th and 14th April 2009, Stockbridge Fishing Club organised two �shing trips to Partridge lakes near Warrington.

Both trips were well attended and gave us the opportunity to test out the new �shing equipment we purchased in March. The boys �shed really well and caught consistently throughout the day.

Apologies if anyone missed out on this trip but demand was higher than anticipated and places were limited.

Thanks to Maureen and Lena from the Association of Stockbridge Village for their kind donation. This was very much appreciated and went towards purchasing the new equipment.

Greenhalgh Fisheries will again be having a series of 3 �shing matches, to be held in the Summer school holidays. We hope to be able to secure 10 places on each event. Dates will be con�rmed nearer the time.

The event was a great success last year. Our young anglers caught some very impressive carp, well into double �gures, this year should be even better. Further information will be put up in Villages Reception.

We have a limited number of junior �shing passes for Luggsmore Lane Community Fishery. This is a lovely 5/6 acre secure �shing lake well stocked with Carp, Tench, Bream, Perch & Roach and provides good �shing in pleasant surroundings. The lake can be used free of charge for a year. To obtain a pass for this �shery you need p a r e n t a l permission and two passport photographs (one to be used as ID on the pass). Leave your details with Villages Reception and we will arrange for the pass to be issued.

Fitton Hill and Hathershaw New Deal for Communities has organised a month long Summer “Uni” programme for young people covering a wide range of fun and practical activities. The programme will run from 27 July to 28 August. There will be sessions on:

• Arts and Creative activities (from street art to photography and everything in between)• Sport (everything from climbing to angling, golf, canoeing and football)• Health & Wellbeing (Junior and Teen Ready Steady Cook, Hairdressing, Beauty and much more!)• Life Skills: Driving theory (could lead to free driving lessons!), Events & Project Management, Sports Leader Award, Wild Survival Day ……… and more!

Villages Housing has provided sponsorship to support the Summer Uni programme to fund activities such as face painting, driving theory and brazilian dancing. This is a fantastic opportunity for young people in our area to take part in a Summer “Uni” programme that has previously only ever happened in Tower Hamlets, London. A Fitton Hill Resident successfully applied to ROCA for £5000 towards the cost of the activities taking place as part of the Summer Uni. This is a great opportunity for young people to gain some real skills whilst having fun. If you are interested in getting involved you can contact Anne Fleming at NDC on 0161 785 9716.




OurTimes


RED NOSE DAY 2009

CHILDREN’S FAREWELL TO HONEY


LEAP OF FAITH

Status Survey

Nine Tree SchoolThe children in year 6 ‘Best Class Ever’ leave in July and bid a fond farewell to ‘Honey Bear’. They were set a task as young seven year olds by their teacher at the time. They went on a ‘Bear Hunt’ and found him hiding amongst cushions in their Year 2 classroom. They named him ‘Honey’ and like they say “the rest is history”. Honey had a diary and the children would take him home and record his activities. This encouraged children to write about all his experiences.

Honey became most famous when he was ‘lost’ and the children went on ‘Granada Reports’ to plead for his safe return. He returned to us just before his eighth birthday. THANKFULLY!!! The children were delighted.

Honey Bear travelled around the world with children, sta� and parents and has been to places some people could only dream of, and has met some famous people along the way.

After a well earned tour of Iraq with the troops, his latest adventure was to visit New York. He has met some famous people who have been delighted to meet him.

At eleven years old Honey is a most treasured mascot of NineTree School with every key stage having the opportunity to take him home, to football matches (Honey is a red hot Liverpool supporter) or on holiday. The school has a fantastic International A-Z photographic display of all his global adventures, with postcards from all over the world. There are countless books and diaries there for everyone to read and enjoy...

In April 2009 the year 5 and 6 children from Nine Tree School attended an outward bounds weekend at Kingswood (Colomendy) in North Wales.

All the activities undertaken by the children tested their physical and mental skills. Structures such as ‘Leap of Faith’ and the ‘3 G Swing’ tested their climbing skills and courage. All the children and the sta� enjoyed the weekend, returning home tired, but very happy.

The children in year six are gluttons for punishment as they are returning in July for their leaver’s trip.K ingswood ‘Here we come!’

For Comic Relief this year, the children at Nine Tree School did “something funny for money” and raised a whopping £492 by having fancy dress and mad hair day. But Nine Tree didn’t stop there, some of the kids were spraying their hair red and some were even singing in the shops!!!

Everyone at Nine Tree should be very proud of themselves as the money they raised will help children in Africa who are dying of AIDS and malnutrition.


OurTimes



WORDS AND PICTURES

Work Solutions Oldham Jobshop

Job Opportunities

Work Solutions provide a FREE service to residents of Fitton Hill and Hathershaw.

Based at The Honeywell Centre, Had�eld Street, Hathershaw, the friendly Jobshop team o�ers information, advice and guidance to those wishing to return to training or employment.

A drop-in service also runs every Thursday afternoon2.00pm – 4.00pm at the Villages Housing O�ce.

Once registered, all customers are eligible for FREE internet use, stationery, postage and fares to assist them back to work. Attendance is voluntary and your bene�ts will not be a�ected if you use their services.

The Jobshop is linked in with The Oldham College’s Skilled Community Team and Connexions, so can o�er full support for people looking for education, training or work aged 16 upwards.

Work Solutions has helped almost 600 local people back into employment. Would you like to be the next?

Call WORK SOLUTIONS on 0161 621 3910 to book an appointment today. What have you got to lose?

The Knowsley Works Plus (KW+) service was established in December 2006 and provides support to any person living in Knowsley who is actively seeking employment or training opportunities. However, priority is given to residents who are lone parents, women returners, have been in receipt of income support, have low or no quali�cations or aged 50 years and over.

The KW+ service currently has 4 centres in the borough; Page Moss in Huyton, the Halewood Centre in Halewood, The Market Place in Kirkby and the brand new shop at The Croft in Stockbridge Village.

The Stockbridge Village Centre was recently opened by John Healy, Minister of State (Local Government) and is currently open everyday 9-5pm.

Each centre provides a range of services which aim to improve the employment prospects of anyone living in the borough. These services include job search, help with application forms, CV preparation, interview training and contribution towards the cost of tools, protective clothing, travel and, in some instances, training.

Over the last 2 years the KW+ service has worked with over 4,500 knowsley residents and of this number over 1,600 have gone into training and over 1,700 have gone into employment. By opening a new centre in Stockbridge Village, it is hoped that residents living in this area who have not previously used the Knowlsey Works Plus service, will be able to do so.

A special CONGRATULATIONS to Tosh Fielding from the Stockbridge Shop who was recently awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list, for his services to the Community.

Hope Citadel Healthcare

Knowsley Works Plus

Hope Citadel Healthcare have recently been awarded the contract to provide the GP Services in Fitton Hill, so are now looking to recruit complete teams of sta�. They are looking for GP’s, Nurses, Counsellors, Social workers, Healthcare Assistants, Practice Managers, Admin sta�, Receptionists and much

more. For more information visit www. talentspan.co.uk/hopecitadel

or call 0161 655 7466.




OurTimes



WORDS AND PICTURES

National Survey

Fire at Maple Mill!!

The second phase of the Tenant Services Authority's National Conversation started on 9 June and will run until 8 September 2009. This

is your chance to help the TSA �ne-tune the standards it has drawn up for social housing landlords. These draft standards are based on what you told the TSA earlier this year about the things that matter most to you.

The TSA will be at a number of events this summer, where they will be talking to tenants and landlords, details are available online at: www.nationalconversation.co.uk

You can hold your own local events as well. The TSA has called these 'Local Conversations'. They don't have to be very formal – they could be a group of you getting together in somebody's home or they could be part of another meeting that's already been planned.

To help you, the TSA has put together a resource pack you can download, which contains some important questions, information notes, a lea�et, a form to �ll in and a prepaid envelope to send the form back in (you do not need a stamp).

On the night of April 21st Maple Mill exploded, shooting �ames 60ft above the building. A hundred �re�ghters used 18 �re engines and 3 aerial machines to try to bring the blaze under control.

Several of Villages’ properties on Dowry Street were damaged – but Bernie McConnell, Head of Housing Services, commented, “Structural damage can be repaired and can be covered by insurance; and although for many people it was a very frightening experience that caused disruption and inconvenience, luckily no-one was injured and that’s the main thing.”

One Dowry Street resident, Linda, said “The o�ers of help we received were amazing. Everyone pulled together to help us with food, drinks and a bed for the night.” Linda said that there were too many people o�ering help to mention by name, but she and her family would like to “Thank everyone involved for their community spirit.”

Squash Nutrition have been running successful cooking courses in the Craigs Community Centre for the last few months. The recipes and food produced by the group are delicious.

If you are interested in healthy eating and tasty recipes you will enjoy Squash Nutrition cooking courses and taster days. They also organise day trips and sessions like jam making … Come along and meet the team informally at the Craigs Community Centre on 18 July from 11am until 2pm - Everyone Welcome!

For more information or to get involved with Squash Nutrition, please contact Lucy Alcock, Project Manager for Cafe Society on 07791 455593 or email [email protected]

Squash Nutrition

Thank You VillagesStockbridge Village Boxing Club have sent a big thank you to Villages Housing for the support of a donation given to the club and Phil Smith, so that Phil

c o u l d c o m p e t e in ABA �nals in

She�eld


OurTimes


DO YOU KNOW YOU’RE ALLOWED TO EXCHANGE HOMES?


WORDS AND PICTURES

Right To Exchange




You can arrange to swap or 'exchange' with another tenant. It does not have to be another Villages tenant; you can arrange a swap with another Housing Association, Council tenant or private tenant, but check what your rights would be if you accepted a tenancy with another landlord. Villages will not normally refuse an application to exchange. There are, however, some circumstances where it may be refused. For example:

• If a court order has been made against the tenant or the exchange partner requiring them to give up possession of their home.• Proceedings for possession have begun or a Notice of Seeking Possession has been served (Notice Requiring Possession for Starter Tenants).• If your property is too big for the needs of the person you wish to swap with. However, Villages would allow the exchange to go ahead if it is only one bedroom larger than a family’s needs based on our allocation standards.• If the property would be too small for the needs of the person you wish to swap with.• You cannot exchange if your property or the property you wish to move to was let as part of conditions of employment, or forms part of, or is in the grounds of a non housing building (e.g. a school).• If the property is designed or adapted to suit the needs of a disabled person and, if swapped, it would be occupied by someone who doesn’t need this type of property.• If the property is part of a group of properties which are let to people with special housing needs and a social service or special facility is provided near the property. For example, sheltered housing for the elderly.• You cannot exchange if certain court orders are in force or legal action is pending for anti-social behaviour. This could be action against either the tenant or a person living with the tenant. Your Estate Management O�cer can give you more information.

Conditions may be attached to the exchange if you or your exchange partner has arrears or is in breach of the conditions of tenancy. For example, we can make it a condition of the consent that arrears are cleared or that any breach is put right.

To apply for an exchange, please complete the forms at your local Villages Housing o�ce.

Before an exchange, your Estate management O�cer will visit your home to check if it is in good order, and ask you to sign to agree to move into the other property 'as seen'.

It is important for you to be aware that, if you exchange, you accept the property ‘as seen'. This means that Villages will not:

• Reinstate/repair any alterations that have been made to the property• Carry out any repairs that are not deemed to be fair wear and tear, e.g. replace any missing/damaged internal doors• Carry out any decorating or provide materials.

You will accept responsibility for such items and, if you then leave the property at a later date, YOU will be responsible for these items, and NOT the person that you originally swapped with. This does not a�ect Villages’ usual repairing responsibilities.




OurTimesStockbridge In Bloom


STOCKBRIDGE JUNIOR RANGERS AWARD

COMMUNITY PAYBACK

Status Survey Fitton Hill Consultation Bus

Local Solutions have worked closely with two major projects on the estate since last October, providing funding and training one day a week for residents who are keen to improve and enhance their immediate environment. Training groups have been based in St Judes Church on Tuesdays and the Craigs Community Centre on Fridays. The impact of both of these groups is there for all to see.

Local Solutions also funded hanging baskets for Round Hey Residents, and hanging basket workshops held at the SPACE Building and Craigs Community Garden.

This year we have been lucky to have groups of probationers working across the estate as part of the Community Payback Scheme. They have been able to support several of our environmental clean ups and other green projects.

Stockbridge Junior Rangers, a set of 8-14 year olds from Stockbridge, have won a prestigious National Award from the Observer newspaper – Ecover Ethical Kids - after taking part in a project encouraging children to look di�erently at green issues. The judges said: “This is a great example of how ethical thinking can be put into practice”. Everyone at Villages would like to say a special well done to them.

The North West in Bloom judges John Shepley and John Bilsborough visited Stockbridge Village on Tuesday 7th July and were warmly welcomed by our community.

Apart from checking out the landscaping and general cleanliness of the village, the judges visited all the projects that have been entered for Neighbourhood Awards this year. They were delighted with the progress that has been made and the great increase in community involvement that has taken place.

Some areas of the village have literally been transformed. Villages Housing would like to thank all the residents who worked so hard to make this year’s entry the biggest and best to date.

The Neighbourhood Award Ceremony will take place on Thursday 22nd October in Southport. The following projects have each been entered for an award.

THE CROFT – TENANTS FORUMSTAFF GARDEN VILLAGES HOUSINGHOLLOWCROFT SHARED SPACEMAB LANE YOUTH CLUB PROJECTCOMMUNITY WOODLAND – ST ALBERTS SCHOOLLITTLE WOODS LITTLE RANGERSBROOKSIDE SCHOOL – FOUNDATION STAGETHE RESOURCE CENTRELITTLE MOSS HEY COMMUNITY GARDENPORTACABIN BROOKSIDE SCHOOLST ALBERTS CHURCHSEEDS (SPRUCE GROVE)ROUND HEY RESIDENTSST JUDES CHURCHTHE CRAIGS RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONPOOL HEY COMMUNITY GARDENCRAIGS COMMUNITY GARDENBOODECROFT


OurTimes



WORDS AND PICTURES

Oldham Carnival


On Saturday 27th June Villages Housing sta� from Fitton Hill entered a �oat in the Oldham Carnival Parade. Our theme this year was ‘The Village People’. The crew danced all the way around the carnival route to their hit records of ‘YMCA’ and ‘In the Navy’ and other dance hits from the 1970s.

The weather was glorious for the parade and everyone had a fantastic couple of hours.

Everyone at Villages would like to thank the following organisations who contributed to the fancy dress out�ts, decorations, and to everyone who helped to decorate the lorry, including,.........

Park Bridge Heritage Centre, The Stables, Park Bridge, Ashton under Lyne, OL6 8AQ, 0161 330 9613

-Tuesday 14 July 2009, Conservation Day (Balsam Bash) Time: 10-3pm, Free Admission -Sunday 19 July, Picnic at the Pike,Time : 11am - 3pm, Free Admission

- Tuesday 4th August, Park Bridge Rocks! (Groups please book), Time 1pm - 3pm , Free Admission

- Tuesday 18 August, Wacky Woods, (Groups please book), Time 1pm - 3pm , Free Admission

- Wednesday 5th August, Go Wild! Family Friendly Activities, Time: 11am - 3pm Portland Basin Museum,Tuesday - Free Admission, Portland Place, Ashton under Lyne, OL7 0QA, 0161 343 2878

- Tuesday 25 August, Time: 10am - 3pm, Oldham College Information Day at The Honeywell Centre, Find out about Part-Time courses on o�er, call 0161 621 3911

What’s On & WhereFITTON HILL STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE

Armchair Exercises Tuesdays at 2pm in Roughsedge House Day Room – Free: Everyone welcome; a good social opportunity as well as bene�ts to health and circulation without being hard on joints.

Radical Meditation Sessions 7.30pm to 9.30pm Roughsedge HouseFortnightly with Bryan Yates from 8 July

Disability Social ClubFridays 6pm to 8pm Roughsedge Day Room – Free

Squash Nutrition, Friday mornings Craigs community centre

Wish You were Here - King George V Playing Fields, Wednesday 5 August, Time: 10am - 3pm, call 0151 443 5971

George Howarth MP surgeries at The Craigs Community Centre, 6pm to 7pm: Friday 4th September 2009, Friday 27th November 2009

• Jackson Lloyd• Premier Heating• Abacus Careerwear • E & T Builders • Spring�eld Building Company• Emanuel Whittaker

Special thanks to Dave and Chris (from contractors Jackson Lloyd) for making the scenery for the �oat

and enthusiastically taking part in the parade. Many thanks also to Kelvin Lord (Kelvin Lord Transport) for the much appreciated use of his truck and John the driver.

There are many more photos of the carnival available on our website www.villages.org.uk.




OurTimes




Fun For All AgesOn 15th April, while the young people were on half term holiday, this inspirational group got together yet again for a spot of socialising. Word is spreading that Fun for all Ages is a ‘cool’ intergenerational group, and as a result four young ladies joined us for the �rst time.

Because the group had so much fun the �rst time they went ballroom dancing, they decided to do the same again – so it was o� to Mayfair Dance Studio in Heywood for a couple of hours of “slow, slow, quick, quick, slow!” Actually, this time the group tried line dancing amongst other things and a great time was had by all.

Villages provides armchair exercises at both Stockbridge Village and Fitton Hill.

For Fitton Hill, they take place on Mondays at 11.15am at Fitton Hill Community Centre, are only £1 per session, and last about an hour. These are provided by the NDC.

In Stockbrige they are in Roughsedge House every Tuesday 2pm-3pm and are free as they are provided by IKAN.

Both groups have great fun whilst improving mobility and you can do the activities at your own pace and you’ll feel great after just a few weeks. They are open to anyone, are a great social activity, and will keep you �t whilst avoiding putting too much strain on your joints.

Call your local Villages o�ce for more details.

After lunch, which was provided by Mandy’s Village Kitchen on The Green, there was time for a couple of games of prize bingo and some music.

Armchair Exercises

A Makeover forBrandearth

& RoughsedgeTenants at Brandearth and Roughsedge House have been involved in the redecoration of their sheltered scheme and community room.

The community room at Roughsedge House, which is well used by all of the local community for activities such as bingo, armchair exercises, and even a mass by the local priest, has been redecorated, had a new carpet �tted, and the old �uorescent strip lights have been replaced with new brass pendent lights.

The communal areas leading to the �ats have been painted in a colour scheme chosen by the tenants and new communal lights have been �tted so the areas look much brighter.

The tenants are delighted with the changes.

Alan Wright, a tenant at Brandearth House, commented “The community centre is spot on now, it looks much warmer!”

Pat Wallace, from Brandearth, commented on the communal areas “We were able to choose our own colours; we chose blue in our block. It’s a really nice shade and it looks so much better.”

W I N

A

P R I Z E ! !


OurTimes





1. A man is looking at a photograph of someone. His friend asks who it is. The man replies, "Brothers and sisters, I have none. But that man's father is my father's son." Who was in the photograph?2. You have £100 to spend and you have to buy 100 slaves. It costs £10 for a man, 50p for a woman and 12.5p for a child. You must spend £100 and have a total of 100 slaves.

How many men, women and children do you have?

Fill the grid with numbers 1 to 9 so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box

contains the digits 1-9, without repeating any

numbers.

Apologies for the mistake in the last Sudoku!

5 9 3 8 2

7 3 6 5

4 7 5 3

4 1

1 6 2 3

1 9

3 2 7

8 5 3

7 2 6 8

Brain Teasers

Send your answers for the Brain Teaser and Sudoku to Elena Lloyd at the Stockbridge O�ce for the chance to win a fabulous prize!

Colouring CompetitionWe’d love you to draw us a

“Summer Scene”! Send your drawings of your summer holidays to Elena Lloyd at the Stockbridge O�ce for the

chance to win a fabulous prize, and remember to make your drawings

really colourful!

Fruity FridayFruity Friday is an annual awareness and fundraising campaign, held by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK), to increase public awareness of the links between

diet, nutrition and cancer prevention, and to raise valuable funds for our cancer research and e d u c a t i o n

programmes.

Events at both Stockbridge Village and Fitton Hill raised

£108.50 for the World Cancer Research Fund.

Villages has garages available for rent on both Stockbridge Village and Fitton Hill, in various locations. These are to be used for personal vehicle use only (not for storage or for business use). Prices start from just £5 per week.

For further details please contact Nigel Cross (Stockbridge Village) email [email protected], or Fiona Barden (Fitton Hill) e-mail �[email protected].

Garages For Rent

Sudoku Corner

W I N

A

P R I Z E ! !




OurTimes



WORDS AND PICTURES Status SurveyFitton Hill Consultation Bus



Please note the skip service cannot take fridges, freezers, gas bottles or tyres. For free removal of these items phone Knowsley Contract Services on 0151 443 2400, or Oldham Council on 0161 770 6644 . Thank You.

The Skips will be sited on Thursdays, early morning, and removed around lunch time.

Skip Dates

Fitton Hill Address:2 Fircroft Road,Fitton Hill,Oldham,OL8 2QNTel: 0161 633 4060Fax: 0161 628 5920

Contact DetailsStockbridge Village Address16 The Croft,Stockbridge Village,Knowsley,Merseyside, L28 1NRTel: 0151 480 1313Fax: 0151 480 5189

email: [email protected]

Location of Skips First Skip Next SkipSouthcroft 16 July 24 September(grassed central area)

Wildbrook Crescent 23 July 1 October(car park to front of Nos 59-85)

Rosary Road 30 July 8 October(opposite No 66)

Woodpark Close 6 August 15 October(to the side of No 60)

Fold View 13 August 22 October(on the grass across from The Ace)

Snipe Road & Bank�eld Drive 20 August 29 October(grassed area at the junction)

Dowry Street 27 August 5 November(on the car park)

St Cuthberts Church, Tanners Fold 3 September 12 November(in the grounds of the Church)

Sportsmans Drive 10 September 19 November (in the parking bay on the left)

Reins Lea Avenue 17 September 26 November(grassed central area)

16 July 2009 – Rosewood Close

23 July 2009 – Cli�s Car Park

30 July 2009 – Car Park to rear of 328 Boode Croft

6 August 2009 – Car Park adjacent to 135 Boode Croft

13 August 2009 – Car park opposite cul de sac Hollow Croft

20 August 2009 – Car park opposite 93 Custley Hey/ 64 Woodfarm Hey

27 August 2009 – Car park adjacent to open space Marled Hey

3 September 2009 – Car park 3 /4 Spruce Grove/ 53 Brandearth Hey

10 September 2009 – Car Park on corner between 33 / 34 The Spinney

17 September 2009 – To rear of 180 Round Hey

24 September 2009 – Car park adjacent to 11 The Grove Dannette Hey

1 October 2009 – Car park to rear of the Barley Mow

8 October 2009 - Car park opposite 8-10 Plumtree Close

15 October 2009 – Rosewood Close

FITTON HILL STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE

Documents

Spring 2009 Our Times