Our Times Autumn 2010 by Villages Housing Association

OurTimes

N HA E T R MO T A JUS ORD L ND LA

THE NEWSLETTER OF

AUTUMN 2010

W W W. V I L L AG E S . O R G . U K

IN S I TH UE S IS

PA G

WIN AN I-POD TOUC H

9 0 t h B I R T H D AY S IN STOCKBRIDGE

See page 10 for more details and photographs.

REGEN

NI M CAR

VA L

Fun Days!

Following on from the success of our first ever Tenants Conference last year, we decided to hold our second Annual Tenants Conference on the 29th September at Blackburne House, Liverpool. The event was a great success and included an interesting and inspiring presentation from Denise Bell-Stacey on how she got involved with Teign Housing Association’s Tenant Scrutiny Panel.

PA G E

A OLDH

2010 Tenants’ Conference

STOCKBRIDGE

PA G E

Villages held two fun days in Stockbridge and Fitton Hill on 24th and 25th August. Both events went really well and everyone who attended (both residents and staff alike) enjoyed themselves. In fact, we had celebrities attend both events! In Stockbridge, Buzz and Woody from Toy Story popped by and in Fitton Hill we were joined by Chaddy the Owl from Oldham Athletic! See pages 4 and 5 for more info and photos.

GARDEN

COMPETITIONS 24 PAGE

FUN

PAGE

30 PA G E

OurTimes

Customer Access Survey Earlier in the year we carried out a Customer Access Survey to ask you about your experience when contacting us. We would like to thank everyone who completed the questionnaire. We asked you about how, why and when you contact us; whether you have had a home visit in the last 12 months, our rent service and our response to your letters. We are very pleased that the feedback shows that a high percentage of people were happy with the services provided by Villages. Over 92% very satisfied or satisfied with the overall service. The one area identified that we need to improve on is in our response to letters and we are currently reviewing this. The majority of respondents indicated that they preferred to contact us either by telephone (58.8%) or visiting the office (38.2%). About 30% of respondents said they would like to use the office on a Saturday, or would use the office more if it was open earlier or later. The main reasons for this would be to report a repair, report anti social behaviour, pay rent, discuss rent or make a complaint. In 2007, in response to a previous survey, we undertook a 3 month trial whereby we operated an extended telephone service from 8am to 7pm one day per week. The response was very disappointing so a decision was made to discontinue this service as it did not represent good value for money or improve greatly on the service we already provided.

In respect of accessing services on Saturday, the services listed in order of importance to customers are already accessible on Saturday:-

Repairs.

Emergency gas and day to day repairs can be reported and responded to 24hrs a day 7 days a week, repairs can be reported on line at any time which suits customers and each office has an answer machine which pick up all weekend calls and repairs reported in this way are issued first thing the next working day.

Anti social behaviour (ASB)

Residents are signposted to out of hours assistance in respect of ASB. We would expect customers to report

serious incidents of anti-social behaviour, hate crime, harassment and domestic abuse to the police by dialling 999. For low levels of ASB out of office hours, Oldham customers can ring 0161 872 5050 (ask for Oldham Operations) and Stockbridge customers can ring 0151 709 6010 (ask for St Helen’s Radio Room). Reports of minor ASB can be left on the office answer machines and will be responded to the next working day. Our anti-social behaviour officer in Stockbridge and officers in Fitton Hill have excellent relations with our police colleagues; any report of ASB would be followed up the following working day. Very pleasingly, incidents of crime and ASB in both our estates have reduced markedly due to excellent partnership working with the police and other relevant agencies. In Fitton Hill 2009/10 overall crime reduced by 37% (125 less crimes) and ASB reduced by 23% (138 less incidents). In Stockbridge in July 2010 overall crime reduced by 22% and ASB by 42% compared with July 2009.

Rent

Customers can pay rent at local retail outlets and Post Offices using Allpay cards. Customers can pay rent online at www.villages.org.uk. Cash collection over our counter collection so is an expensive method of we will continue to encourage customers to set up direct debits or standing orders or use Allpay and the website as alternative ways of paying their rent.

Website

The website now has a facility to ‘report it, see it, pay it, say it, apply for it’. Customers are able to raise a query about rent or service charge or make a complaint using this method. Given the relatively low numbers of customers who said they would like to access the offices during extended hours, we do not believe that at this time offering an extended service would offer value for money. We will however continue to revisit this area and will strive to improve access in a variety of ways.

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OurTimes

Tenants’ Survey 2010 WIN AN i-POD TOUCH OR £100 OF VOUCHERS

It is time again for you to let us know what you think about our services in our annual tenants’ Status survey. You should already have received the Status Survey as it has been sent out with with your recent rent statement. Change and improvement to existing services is most effective when it is driven by you, the customer. Please help us to improve our services to become what you want them to be. Thank you.

The deadline for returning surveys is 16th December 2010.

It would really help if you could take the time to fill in the survey. There are 2 great prizes to win; an i-Pod Touch for each estate. All you need to do is fill in and return the survey to be entered in to the prize draw. Alternatively, if you would like some help filling in the form, please contact our Customer Service Teams at your local Villages office who will be happy to help. Remember the closing date is 16th December 2010!

WE DID

YOU SAID You have told us that there are too many surveys being carried out, and can we look at reducing the number of surveys we do.

We have had a long look at how we carry out surveys, and are pleased to be able to say that we will be combining some surveys together into one, using the phone more frequently and using less paper, and carrying out just one major survey per year. We hope that by having fewer surveys, you will not feel as pressured for responses, but we do ask that we would really appreciate your feedback for those that we do.

Gas Service Prize Winners Did you knwo that tenants of Villages Housing can be entered into a prize draw if they allow our gas contractors access to their homes on the first visit to do the annual gas safety check. In Fitton Hill recent winners were Sarah & Christopher and Mr & Mrs Lomas. They are pictured here with Rebecca from Villages’ Fitton Hill office and Natalie Nero from Premier collecting their £50 prize. The winner in Stockbridge Village was Mrs Frances Norman, pictured here with Anne Jackson, Villages Housing Manager. If you want £50 in your pocket, all you have to do is make sure you arrange an appointment for your gas safety check when it is due. If you allow access for our contractors on their first visit to do your gas safety check, then you will be entered into our prize draw and have the chance to win £50. Remember, you have to be in it to win it!!! If you would like more information, please ask a member of staff about the Gas Servicing Incentive Scheme. *Terms and conditions apply. MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes What Fun We Had!

Villages held two fun days in Stockbridge and Fitton Hill on 24th and 25th August as a 'thank you' to residents for their support during the Audit Commission Inspection which led to us being given the equivalent of 2 Stars with 'Promising Prospects for Improvement'.

FITTON HILL

In Fitton Hill a free BBQ, bouncy castle, games, displays and events was organised at St Cuthbert's Church. All the Villages staff participated, along with at least a dozen community groups and the contractors working for Villages on the estate.

A donation totalling £300 to Dr Kershaw's includes all proceeds from the Villages activities - boosted by the contents of the money in the jar (£33.16) donated by Colin Garrett, Eric's paintings (£62), and £25 from St Cuthbert's Church Wardens.

St Swithen tried his best, but nothing could dampen the true community spirit and enjoyment of everyone who took part and visited.

An impressive demonstration by the Siam Muay Thai Boxing Club (children through to adults) included Andrew Lofthouse who was sponsored by Villages to attend the WMF championships - We have a real World Champion living here on Fitton Hill!

Many free activities were provided by Villages, with our contactors (Casey's, Emanuel Whittaker, Jackson Lloyd, and Premier Energy Solutions) providing games, activities and prizes. Donations from Park Cakes and Tesco boosted the catering and free raffle. The first prize of a £45 Summer Hamper surprised Mr Reece of Fir Tree Avenue when it was delivered later the same day. Community partners Hill Top Surgery, OMBC Environmental Waste Dept and The Neighbourhood Group (TNT) all took the opportunity to inform and advise residents about a range of health and social initiatives. 'Amber Watch' came along to show the kids their Fire engine. The Skills Swap Shop had a really good response to the sale of their craftwork. When relatives could not be found for Eric Jackson a Fitton Hill resident of 37 years, who recently sadly passed away; in order to keep the lovely paintings found in his home in the community, the Skills Swap Shop offered the pictures to visitors in return for donations to Dr Kershaw's Hospice.

Oldham Sapphires Dance Troupe - tot's section (wearing outfits funded by Villages) won our hearts with a charming dance routine. Villages worked with Tracy and her team from 'As Good as it gets' to provide the BBQ. A Villages customer, living on Fitton Hill; Tracy has a business in Earl Mill Business Centre on Dowry Street. Her team worked tirelessly to feed more than 250 people despite the rain. The Eden Project provided the sound system and announcer (Chris Neilson) with the music, and fantastic free face painting for the children. Although the weather was truly awful, the kids enthusiastically took part in 'Beat the goalie' and the coconut shy in torrential rain supported by Chaddy the Owl. The Villages landscape team, along with Oldham Rangers Football Club Mascot ended the day drenched and tired out but delighted with the turn out from the community. The main purpose of the event was to celebrate the fantastic partnership between the residents of Fitton Hill and Villages Housing; supported by all its partners. We were thrilled that everyone was smiling - causing one visitor to comment how it really took her back to the days of a good old fashioned village fete. MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE In Stockbridge Village, Villages teamed up with Knowsley Council, the Safer Knowsley Partnership and Merseyside Police to bring residents a host of fantastic free activities including a climbing wall, caged soccer, face painting, shoot & boot and three great bouncy castles which over 1500 people attended. There was also a delicious hog roast and a fabulous Barbecue, manned by the brilliant staff from Villages with Bern and Ken from the Craig’s Community Centre - and all of it was free- a thank you to the residents of Stockbridge from Villages Housing and partners, who footed the bill for the event. The atmosphere was fabulous, made all the better by the Juice FM stage crew and presenters who provided the music for the day, whilst also helping to draw the raffle prizes. Maria Brassel from Whincraig won the hamper from Bramall’s Construction, the contractor who is currently working on the refurbishment works on Mosscraig. Stockbridge Village ABC showed us what they could do with a number of displays and mini classes throughout the day. Everyone agreed it was a fantastic day, it couldn’t have gone any better, and even the weather held out for us! One resident said, “I’ve had a great day, as have my kids! They have been entertained for hours, and I can’t believe it hasn’t cost us a penny. Well done to everyone involved!”

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OurTimes

Stockbridge Regeneration Update PLANS GIVEN GO-AHEAD The multi-million pound regeneration Stockbridge Village centre has been given the formal go ahead by Knowsley Council’s Planning Committee. Cllr Dave Lonergan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy & Skills commented: “This is fantastic news and I am delighted that these ambitious plans have received the stamp of approval by the planning committee. This regeneration project will completely transform Stockbridge Village centre and provide first class facilities and spaces for the local community to enjoy. The redevelopment of Stockbridge Village has long since been a major priority for the council and we have worked extremely hard with our partners to bring to life the aspirations of the community.” Work is underway to construct the new facilities with the new primary school due to be the first completed part of the scheme in autumn 2011. “This regeneration will make a real difference to people’s lives,” said Knowsley’s Executive Director for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, Nick Kavanagh. “We worked long and hard to find out what local people felt they needed and the planning approval means we can now realise a long held ambition to make a difference here.”

Morgan Sindall are the contractors who will be constructing the new buildings. Barry Roberts, their area director, says, “This is an exciting project for the Stockbridge Village community and we are thrilled we have been chosen to deliver these major improvements. These changes will have a tremendous impact on the local economy during the construction process and upon completion by generating local job opportunities. We have created 6 long term apprenticeships linked to this development.We have considerable experience of delivering complex schemes like this, on time and to the highest standard.” The regeneration proposals complement other development projects in the area, including an extension to the health centre and provision of a new Play Pathfinder scheme in the heart of the village centre. This work also supports activity by the council and partners to improve the everyday life experiences and opportunities for residents. Vernon Jackson, Chief Executive says “Villages Housing have been very involved with the council in ensuring that the central area regeneration programme is delivered. It is very exciting to see the work underway to build the new school and other facilities and the opportunities that this project brings for the future of the whole community. The centre of Stockbridge Village will look and feel a very different place in 12 months time”.

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OurTimes Proposals include the following: Neighbourhood Centre • 20m swimming pool suitable for use by a range of community groups including those with disabilities • Sauna, steam and sensory room • 4 court sports hall •Flexible studio and community space to accommodate dance, Pilates and a range of fitness classes • 30 station gym providing all inclusive fitness initiative equipment • Cafeteria and public viewing area • Dedicated youth facility • Multi-use games area for use by the wider community Retail • A brand new circa 8,000sft retail facility will be provided on the Croft retail parade replacing the existing facility oﬀ Denes Way

Primary School/ Learning Resource Centre/ Childrens Centre • A single form entry primary school that will combine the existing Brookside and Nine Tree schools in a state of the art 21st century transformational learning facility • High quality play areas including a first floor playdeck • An early years/crèche facility for children from 0-4 years • A dedicated children’s health facility which will complement the newly refurbished health centre in Stockbridge Village due for completion in October 2010 (the refurbished building). • Specialist treatment rooms including a sensory pod and dedicated space for health practitioners • The Learning resource centre will be attached to both the Neighbourhood Centre and Primary school and provide a new library facility. The Library will include dedicated children’s learning space and include Wifi internet access available for community access. • The scheme will also include a dedicated police access point which will serve as a base for community policing within Stockbridge Village.

Stockbridge Kids Get Creative

Pupils from Nine Tree and Brookside primary schools in Stockbridge Village, have been showing oﬀ their artistic skills by designing and painting hoardings to surround the development of their new school. They were asked to come up with ideas of what they wanted their new school and village square to look like and imagine how they could use the facilities once built. Ray Clarke is Senior Project Manager with Morgan Sindall, the appointed contractor for the development, he said: “We really wanted the school children to feel a part of their new school and this kind of project really helps to do that. MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

“By imagining the new space and buildings, the children are able to really think creatively about how they want to use the facilities and prepare themselves for the exciting changes to come to their area. The hoardings are now on display and the children’s artwork will be on there for the local community to enjoy.” Cllr Dave Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills said: “I’ve been really impressed by the creativity the children have shown and how they have really brought their ideas to life in their paintings. “The regeneration of Stockbridge Village project will be a great boost for the area and provide a range of facilities for the whole community to enjoy. We see young people as key to the future success of the area and therefore it is wonderful that we have been able to engage with them so early on in the building process. The community in Stockbridge Village have always been so supportive of our plans and we will continue to involve them in all aspects of our work here.”

OurTimes Stockbridge Gets Moving WALK IN JOIN IN EVENT A GREAT SUCCESS On September 11th Huyton got moving as part of a Knowsley Council Initiative to encourage healthy living. The event involved residents walking to six different venues, each venue hosted a themed event for the walkers. In Stockbridge Village walkers were welcomed in the SPACE building to an Arts and Cultural extravaganza. There was drumming, dancing, fantastic music and an opportunity to do some creative writing. Residents were also treated to a project linking t h e i r personalised photos to a family tree, which was great fun and created an impressive wall display. When the many walkers arrived (despite the heavy rain) they were treated to hot drinks and free refreshments, kindly provided by the Association of Stockbridge Village, before trekking off again. The atmosphere in the SPACE was great when everyone eventually overcame shyness and joined in!

Do you love Stockbridge Village? The Association of Stockbridge Village is leading on a community engagement group on Stockbridge Village. The group brings together participants from local schools, community groups and residents who are keen to make thinks happen here. There have been several meetings with Gerri Moriarty, a community development consultant with many years experience. The group will be focusing on improving the profile of the estate in the period running up to the opening of the new regeneration development and they will be organising lots of community activities over the winter and into the new year to involve the whole community. If you love Stockbridge Village and want to tell the world this is a great place to live, you need to join this group and get involved. For details of meetings and forth coming events contact Knowsley Council on 0151 443 2428.

Remembering Mike McGrail

It is with sadness that we inform you of the recent death of Mike McGrail. Mike was married to one of our Stockbridge CSO’s, Sharon, for 22 years and they have one son Michael. Most of you will remember Mike as our local community police officer on Stockbridge for over 10 years from 1983. Sharon and Mike actually met through them both working on Stockbridge, as Sharon was our Receptionist at the time and Mike would call into the office on a daily basis. He was not only ‘Community Bobby’ but was also actively involved in community groups on Stockbridge. Mike will be sadly missed by all those who knew him through his work in Stockbridge and this was reflected by the number of residents, colleagues and friends who attended his funeral at St. Albert’s Church on 7th October.

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OurTimes Police Access Point Earl Dance Centre Dance Centre is a new dance studio based at Earl in Stockbridge Village Earl Business Centre on Dowry Street which offers Dance Merseyside Police Authority has formally agreed the funding to support the creation of a dedicated Police Access Point in Stockbridge Village. The facilities will be housed within the new Neighbourhood Centre that is part of a multi million pound regeneration scheme proposed by Knowsley Council. The new facilities will be used as a base for the local neighbourhood policing team and help maintain a visible police presence in the area. Bill Weightman, Chair of Merseyside Police Authority and local ward councillor said, “Having a police access point within the heart of Stockbridge Village means that officers can further engage with the local community and continue to work closely with them and partner agencies to improve their local area.” Developed in consultation with local people and key partners in the area, the multi-million pound plans directly reflect the needs and wants of the local people and aim to create a vibrant and welcoming focal point for the entire community to enjoy. Cllr Dave Lonergan, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy & Skills commented, “Throughout the development process we have worked hard to engage with the local community and take on board their feedback about what they would like included within the new development. From the outset, residents have been clear about their desire to see a police presence within the scheme. The confirmation of funding from the Police Authority will ensure that these facilities can be created and that the local police and Police Community Support Officers will have a central location within the new village centre.”

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and Performing Arts classes. It also offers Health related exercises to keep you physically fit, Healthy in the Mind, Body and Soul... and giving you the opportunity to explore your creative flare. There are a variety of classes on offer from Street Dance, Hip Hop, Commercial, to Contemporary and Ballet technique. Classes have now started and opening hours are from 10am-8:30pm Mondays - Wednesdays.

There is currently a special offer available for membership and no joining fee. For more information on membership have a look at their website:

www.earldancecentre.com Children’s Club Ages 6-17 years: 3 different workshop levels in Dance / Performing Arts. Classes start on Saturday 2nd October 2010. Check the website, more details coming soon.

Well Done TESS

Well Done to the Villages Housing TESS team for being shortlisted for the “Excellence in Customer Service” award in Knowsley’s 8th Annual Business Awards. Unfortunately, they didn’t win, but everyone at Villages is very proud of them anyway!

OurTimes 2010 Tenants’ Conference The conference took place this year on the 29th September at Blackburne House, Liverpool. The event was a great success and included an interesting and inspiring presentation from Denise Bell-Stacey on how she got involved with her Association’s Tenant Scrutiny Panel. Fitton Hill’s “Young at Heart” group led a workshop on their activities; Sadia Akram from Oldham Housing Investment Partnership (OHIP) led a workshop about building successful communities and Barbara Murray chaired a workshop on developing local offers for Stockbridge and Fitton Hill. We would also like to thankour contractors who had stalls and freebies to give away on the day. People often say that they only hear about the negative things happening on their estates in the press so we wanted to launch a positive campaign to highlight the good things that individuals and groups are doing in and for their communities. Villages staff nominated who they thought deserved to be recognised for their work in the community and we gave out four awards in total – one to an individual and one to a group, from each estate. This was really difficult because it highlighted how much is actually being done in our communities. The awards were given in memory of Joyce Everatt, a long serving Board member and tenant in Stockbridge Village, and will become an annual event.

The winners were: Stockbridge Village Individual Award - Steph Tomlinson Stockbridge Group Award - The Stockbridge Ramblers Fitton Hill Individual Award - Sheila Davis Fitton Hill Group Award - Fun For All Ages Some quotes from the day included: “I have found today really interesting. I think the guest speaker was inspiring and I also enjoyed the workshops.” “Thanks for a great day. The food was lovely, the workshops were very informative and the building was beautiful. I will definitely be coming to next year’s conference!”

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OurTimes Oh We Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside Tenants’ from Fitton Hill’s bungalows enjoyed a trip out on a very sunny Thursday in August courtesy of The Skills Swap Shop. The members of the group successfully received funding of £737.00 from Grassroots, Community Foundation for Greater Manchester to purchase supplies and equipment for their group to continue their hard work in sharing and learning new craft skills. Included within the application was a request for funding to take 49 tenants’ from Villages bungalows on the day trip to Blackpool. Sandra from the Skills Swap Shop explained, “We included the trip in the application as we wanted to give something back to the community and what better way than to give the opportunity for older residents to have a fun day out?” The group set off leaving a very wet and windy Oldham behind to arrive to glorious blue skies in sunny Blackpool. An enjoyable day out was had by all…especially one person who wishes to remain anonymous who went on the waltzers at the very young age of 70…and lived to tell the tale!!

Fun For All Ages

Once again the award winning intergenerational group met over the summer holidays. This time it was the turn of the younger members to teach the older members a new skill; the art of jewellery making.

Everyone in the group thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and had the chance to get to know each other better as well as having fun. By the end of the session everyone had very colourful bracelets and key-rings to take home along with a sense of achievement of knowing that they had learnt something new. The group are now looking forward to planning their next session in the half term holidays.

Party Invitation

After the successful Christmas party in 2009, we’ve again arranged for a buffet lunch and entertainment and would like to invite all tenants aged 55yrs and over to join us. When: Thursday 2nd December 2010 Where: St Pauls Conservative Club, Hathershaw Time: 10.00am -3pm (lunch 12.15-1.15pm, Entertainment 1.30-2.15pm) There will be a small charge of £3 per person and reservations will be taken on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. If you would like to join us call the Fitton Hill office on 0161 633 4060 and speak to Dana or Lesley or you can visit the office and pay your £3.

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OurTimes

The Fitton Hill Billies OLDHAM CARNIVAL 2010 A GREAT SUCCESS Eager to repeat our previous success, staff from the Villages Fitton Hill Office once again entered a float into this year’s Oldham Carnival Parade. Our theme this year was the “Fitton-Hill-Billies”.

Paul Davies, Event Director, said “All the floats this year were so good, it was really difficult to choose a winner, which is why we added the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place prizes this year; but Villages always enter a good float. There were 17 floats in this year’s parade with 47 entries in total, and a record number of spectators, which shows the carnival is getting bigger and more successful every year.”

The carnival took place at Alexandra Park in Oldham over a very wet weekend of the 7th and 8th of August and attracted nearly 30,000 people. The carnival parade followed a two-mile route and is considered the highlight of the weekend, starting off the activities for the weekend. Both days were packed with things to do from camel rides and train trips to slack-line walking (walking on a bouncy tightrope). Villages staff (with a little help from our colleagues at Jackson Lloyd) decorated our eye-catching float with bales of hay, a white picket fence, rocking chair, rubber chickens, a wooden pig and cow, an archway with saloon doors, and even a bar with 2 homemade stills of “Moonshine brew” (not real!). Unfortunately this year we did not manage to repeat our success of 2007 by winning first place; that honour went to the Fillipino Association. However, we were very gracious and surprised runners-up in second place.

Fitton Hill was also very well represented in the results of the remaining categories with Oldham Sapphires Dance Troupe winning the Best Troupe in Parade and Fitton Hill and Hathershaw Bulldogs A.R.L.F.C winning Best Non Float in Parade. Both of these are local groups with most of their members residents of Fitton Hill, and have both previously been awarded funding from Villages Community Budget Grants. We would like to thank all the volunteers from Villages Housing and a special thank you to the lads from Jackson Lloyd for all their help in creating our float, and to our other partners the Casey Group, Premier Energy Solutions, Abacus Careerwear and Emanuel Whittaker Ltd, who also made contributions. We can’t wait to start on the 2011 float!

Do You Like Singing?

Following the publication of our last edition of Our Times, Lisa Fowles, the Community Development Officer for Fitton Hill, was approached by a resident on Fitton Hill and told “It says in your newsletter that you have singing lessons…I think it would be a really good idea if you started a community choir on Fitton Hill”. This has planted a seed in the back of Lisa’s mind which is trying its best to grow and develop. Before we “feed” it we would like your opinion.

• Do you think this is a good idea? • Are you interested in joining? If so, what kind of music would you like to sing? • Do you know of anyone else who may be interested? What we are looking at achieving is a group of all ages from the community coming together finding a common interest, developing new friendships and singing purely for pleasure. It doesn’t matter how well you sing, it is the taking part which will matter!! If you have any thoughts or comments, or are interested in getting involved, then please contact Lisa on 0161 633 4060. MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes Community Budget Grants The Community Budget aims to give financial help to any community group or individual who is committed to improving the quality of life for our residents. Whether it’s a fishing club, a gardening project, or a day out why not see if we can help? Local groups, at both Fitton Hill and Stockbridge Village, who have successfully applied for a Villages Community Budget Grant in the last 3 months include:

FITTON HILL

St Martins School and the Friends of St Martins, to fund two events for the schoolchildren. The first being a visit from Natural History Lecture Service, the “Animal Man”, to teach children from nursery to year 6 about environmental issues, the care of wildlife, habitat and conservation in the local area. The second was for when 150 children from the school enjoyed a visit from the “West End in Schools Project” in June. The theme of the production was ‘Jungle Bungle’ and they were treated to a performance of a “living” book which gave them the chance to participate and interact with the performers. Both of these events offered great opportunities for children to see something which they may not have had the chance to experience before.

Oldham Sapphires Dance Troupe £500 towards the dressmaking costs of outfits for the season. Fitton Hill Angling Club were awarded £150.50 towards the cost of tackle for the 15 junior anglers of the club. The Ace Public House Pool and Crib Team £360.60 towards the cost of personalised sponsored t-shirts for match events and trophies for end of season award night.

STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE

Brookside school was awarded £450 towards costs of T-shirts for pupils and travel expenses to attend the "Voice in a Million" event

Parents and Tots group based in River Alt Resource Centre was given £490 towards cost of trips and resources SMARTYS after school club based in Mab Lane Youth Club, was awarded funds towards the cost of trips and resources Roughsedge House Luncheon Club £300.50 towards costs of weekly Prize Bingo and Monthly luncheon club For more details on how to apply for a community budget grant please call Lisa on 0161 633 4060 or Barbara on 0151 480 1313.

Fitton Hill Bulldogs In 2009 Fitton Hill and Hathershaw Bulldogs received funding of £500 from Villages’ Community Budget Grants towards the cost of repainting and re-branding their minibus. As you can see from the picture the end result looks fantastic and the bus almost looks like new. Fitton Hill Bulldogs are a local Rugby League group formed in 2003 which train on a Wednesday evening and Saturday morning at The Hathershaw College of Technology and Sport on Bellfield Avenue, off Ashton Road. They currently have teams ranging in ages from under 9’s to their newly formed Open Age Team and welcome new members.

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The group have recently announced that the minibus is available for the use of local community groups at no charge other than the cost of diesel used. This has come as very welcome news and is a great way of giving something back to the community for their support. The minibus is a 12 seater and has wheelchair access at the rear which reduces down to a 10 seater when in use. To use the minibus there are certain criteria which must be met to comply with their insurance policy. If you would like more information about the group or using the minibus, contact Dave Hughes on 0161 626 3954.

OurTimes Gold Medal Winner

In May 2010 Fitton Hill’s very own ‘celebrity’, Andrew Lofthouse from South Croft, left behind Fitton Hill and jetted off to Bangkok, Thailand for the Annual World Muay Thai Championships. Andrew was awarded £500 from Villages Community Budget Grant towards the travel costs for this competition. We are very pleased to be able to report that Andrew competed and won the Gold Medal in Male Junior Lightweight. As many of you will already know, this isn’t Andrew’s first success at the championships and this win has added to his ever growing trophy cabinet at home. Andrew took part in his first Pro/Am fight on 26th September at the Tara Leisure Club in Shaw for the British Amateur Lightweight Title - WHICH HE WON!!! All the staff at Villages would like to offer our congratulations to Andrew. From what we hear, it was a hard fight which went to the last round. Andrew has been training at Siam Camp, Fitton Hill for almost eight years and has now qualified as a teacher at the camp. Siam Camp is run by Master Kevin Lloyd at The Earl Business Centre on Dowry Street. If anyone is interested in attending the club the sessions at the Earl Business Centre are: Peewee Thai Boxing (2-6years) - Tuesday & Thursday 5-6pm Junior Thai Boxing (6-10years) - Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6-7pm Senior Thai Boxing (10+ years) - Monday & Wednesday 7-9pm Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) (All ages) Friday 7-830pm Ladies Boxercise Classes (All ages) Tuesday & Thursday 7-8pm Check out the club’s website for more details at

www.siamcamp.com

‘Anew’ Project

Young people should have opportunity to succeed, whatever their background, neighbourhood or family. The Eden project serves many young people in Fitton Hill to do better through activities, support and creating opportunities. ‘Anew’ is an opportunity for bright, active and intelligent young people to take them to the next level. Traditionally young people from Fitton Hill and Hulme have very different aspirations. Anew aims to raise and broaden the aspirations of all the young people through inspiration, support and hard work, raising academic ability, but also creating strong friendships and a concern for the whole community. ‘Anew‘ with Hulme Grammar, will give extra tuition to a number of individuals and, through working with Eden, support university applications. Together with similar young people from Hulme they will volunteer locally, raise funds and go on a life changing experience helping community projects and trekking through the jungle of Ecuador.

How can I help?

We’re going to be washing cars, collecting clothes, packing bags, doing gardens, and putting on events around Fitton Hill and Hathershaw over the next year. The young people will even be doing a sponsored abseil event, to raise money for their once in a lifetime trip! If you want to sponsor them, you can give us a call at Eden, or pop in and see us. If you’d like to donate to these young people, Eden is just by the shops, behind the Villages office. Do you have a garden that you would like us to get de-weeded? They can help. Or you might have a car that you could pay them to wash for you once a week. They can do it. The young people don’t expect you to give out your hard earned cash for free. They want to work hard and will do whatever it takes to make their dream come true. Please help us in making many dreams come true. Thanks, Jon Hares, Anew Project Youth Worker If you can help please contact Jon at the Eden Project on 0161 628 6808. MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes The Oldham Way Challenge As part of the “Schools Out” summer activities programme a large group, made up of young people and adults from the local community, decided to take part in the annual Oldham Way Challenge. This is a sometimes gruelling event which involves a 2 day hike of approximately 40miles over the famous hills and dales around Oldham.

DO YOU HAVE A GREAT IDEA TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY IN FITTON HILL? DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU COULD GET UP TO £5000 TO HELP BRING THIS IDEA TO LIFE? The Respect Our Communities Awards (R.O.C.A) will fund projects that: • •

Build confident communities that pull together to solve problems that affect them. Raise awareness of other sections of Oldham's diverse community. Increase participation of community events to help bring neighbourhoods together. Develop skills of individual people so that in turn those new found skills will benefit the community.

The Group led by • Graham Bowman (NDC Youth Development • Coordinator) set off from Daisy Nook Country Park early on the morning of Friday 30th June and arrived back safe and reasonably sound the following evening. Applications are considered at panel meetings held every couple of months with representatives from NDC’s Chief Executive Gordon Roscoe, an experienced hill Villages Housing, Oldham Athletic FC, Emanuel walker was appointed ‘Chief Scout’ and blazed a trail that Whittaker Ltd and other local companies and housing took in such local beauty spots as Daisy Nook and Park providers who have contributed to the fund. Bridge before climbing over Hartshead Pike to Dove Stone Reservoir near Greenfield, and continuing over A recent example of a ROCA funded project is Fitton Saddleworth Moor to Diggle and eventually the halfway Hill and Hathershaw’s NDC ‘Schools Out for Summer’ point. Programme (see opposite). They were successfully awarded £4651.41 to help repeat the success of their “By the time we reached Castleshaw we were 2 walkers 2009 programme and provide a wide range of down due to injury and exhaustion, and we were all pretty activities for local children to keep them occupied and tired and soaking wet but we didn’t let it dent our reduce Anti Social Behaviour during the school confidence” said Graham. summer holidays. Setting oﬀ over the Moors to Denshaw then skirting the north point of Shaw and Royton they made good time eventually meeting the Rochdale Canal at Chadderton Hall Park then followed the canal south through Chadderton, Failsworth, the Medlock Valley and finally arrived back at Daisy Nook exhausted but elated by late afternoon on Saturday.

So, if you think that you may have an idea that would m a k e Fitton Hill a better place to live, or you think that you would like to get to together with people to make a diﬀerence in our community contact Lisa Fowles on 0161 633 4060.

After the event Graham said, “We’ve done this event 3 times now however this was by far the largest single group ever to go round and I’m very proud of each and everyone that took part. Thanks to Dave & Sue Hughes and everyone from Bulldogs Rugby Club and thanks to Dianne Heaton, who keeps saying never again but keeps coming back for more! Also thanks to Villages Housing and our local Application packs councillors who helped us with funding for this event; can www.oldham.gov.uk I go lie down now?” MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

are

available

from

OurTimes School Was Out For Summer! The fantastic “Schools Out For Summer 2010” programme in the NDC, including Fiiton Hill and the wider Medlock Vale, has been a great summer of fun and activity for over 250 young people who had the choice of over 30 different fun things to do. Several of the courses were accredited and many of the young people signed on to one or more courses or activities that interested them. The whole 5 week event was an ambitious programme considering the general cut backs in funding this year; but with the continued help and support of Sheila Davis (the main fundraiser), Kevin Lloyd and others from the Hathershaw & Fitton Hill Community Group Network, the “Schools Out for Summer 2010” programme was a resounding success. Villages Housing funded events in Fitton Hill including First Aid, Ready Steady Cook, Fitton Hill Junior Youth Club’s arts and crafts with Oldham Play Action Group (OPAG) in preparation for the Oldham Carnival Parade 2010. The “Schools Out for Summer 2010” programme culminated in a Celebration Event on the 31st of August 2010 at the Honeywell Centre attended by over 100 children & residents. The summer activities not only benefited the children of the area but all residents with figures showing the number of recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour dropping by 34% in Oldham. The Hathershaw & Fitton Hill Community Group Network would like to thank all the Funders and Partners. Among them Villages Housing, NDC, Respect Our Communities Awards, Adele Wright (Extended Services Development Officer), Oldham Athletic Community Trust, Community Foundation for Greater Manchester, Kerrching, Local Councillors and many others.

News From The Multis MOSSCRAIG WORKS

Bramalls Construction were selected for the improvement works and have been on site since the beginning of August. The first completed flats (windows, kitchen and bathroom works) are due back from Bramalls in October. Any works issues, please contact their site team (Steve, Bev and Linda) in the glass office on the ground floor of Mosscraig or via their helpline – 0845 389 9564 - or at the ex-warden’s house next to the community centre.

CARETAKING DUTIES

Following letters to all multi-storey residents, Villages are currently piloting a change in the caretaking hours of work, to allow more tasks to be undertaken during the daytime – please contact the Project team for more information.

REMINDER

A reminder to all residents that the Project Officer, Rachel Tracey, is available to discuss any housing-related issues at her housing surgery on the ground floor at Merecliff, Thursday 2 – 4pm, or via an appointment at 6 Whincraig or on 0151 449 1788.

FIRE PROTECTION WORKS Following our recent Fire Brigade inspections, Villages are currently undertaking various works to all the blocks to improve our fire safety – this includes new communal fire doors, new Emergency Exit signage and improved fire-retardant paint to communal areas.

BONFIRE BBQ Bern is organising a Bonfire Night Barbeque at the Craigs Centre on Friday 5th November from 6pm to 8pm for tenants of the multis. You are welcome to come along but please let Bern know in advance so she can cater for everyone. Bernie Wileman t. 0151 480 7994 m. 07841145858 MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes SCI TEAM MAKES AN IMPACT

RESPECT

Since January 2010 you will have noticed the increased Police presence in and around Stockbridge Village. The Stronger Communities Initiatives (SCI) team, as it is known, is made up of 1 Police Inspector, 12 Police Community Safety Officers & 3 Neighbourhood Police Officers. They are supported by staff working from the Knowsley Anti-Social Behaviour Unit and Sue Grimmett, Anti-Social Behaviour Officer for Villages Housing. Since January this team have made a significant impact on crime and anti-social behaviour in Stockbridge Village. A number of search warrants have been executed at addresses in Stockbridge Village and these have led to numerous arrests for offences including possession with intent to supply drugs, cannabis cultivation, burglary and money laundering amongst others. When the police have gone out to Villages properties to either search the property or to possibly arrest an individual, Villages’ ASB officer, Sue Grimmett, has attended with them to advise the tenants, where they are in breach of their tenancy agreement, further tenancy enforcement action may be taken against them which could result in them losing their homes. So far this year in both Stockbridge Village & Fitton Hill: 6 Starter tenancies ended due to criminal or anti-social behaviour 2 tenants had appeals upheld and starter tenancies extended 1 Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction granted 2 Anti-Social Behaviour Orders granted 3 Interim Anti-Social Behaviour Orders granted 1 tenancy relinquished prior to Possession Proceedings due to tenant receiving a lengthy prison sentence. Several more cases are awaiting the outcome of Criminal proceedings, at which time tenancy enforcement action may well be taken against the perpetrators.

NEIGHBOUR NUISANCE

The most common type of complaint received by Villages is neighbour/noise nuisance and it adversely affects the quality of life of many of our residents. Neighbour/noise nuisance takes many forms including DIY, loud music, animals, poorly tended gardens and rubbish being left outside properties. Please show consideration for your neighbours at all times and whilst it is accepted that most people will have parties occasionally, it is not acceptable to have parties on a regular basis or to play loud music between the hours of 10pm and 8am. Loud and prolonged noise and music during the daytime hours is also not acceptable.

DIY

DIY has become increasingly popular in the last few years and we all have to decorate from time to time but please carry out your work at reasonable times of the day – not late at night or early in the morning.

YOUR RESPONSIBILTY AS A TENANT

Please be aware of your tenancy conditions, particularly in relation to anti-social behaviour and crime. Any tenants found to be in breach of their tenancy in relation to anti-social behaviour/crime may face legal proceedings which could ultimately lead to them losing their homes. New tenants, who have Starter Tenancies, who persist in anti-social behaviour/crime within the first 12 months may find their tenancies being terminated by Villages Housing giving them 2 months notice.

LET US HELP YOU

If you are suffering from anti-social behaviour and wish to report it, please ring Villages Housing on 0151 480 1313 or Fitton Hill on 0161 633 4060.

The Direct Dial number for reporting Anti-Social Behaviour or passing information in confidence is 0151 Villages Housing’s anti-social behaviour statistics 949 5073. This phone will be answered only by Sue support the view that crime in Stockbridge Village & Grimmett or Anne Jackson, in Sue’s absence. Fitton Hill is decreasing, but nevertheless it’s something that should concern all of us. Successful partnership Villages Housing promise all residents of Stockbridge working in both Stockbridge Village and Fitton Hill has Village & Fitton Hill complete confidentiality when seen a dramatic drop in ASB cases. In Stockbridge reporting ASB. Village between July 2009 and July 2010 ASB went down by a 42%. Of the 77 cases reported, 27 were DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE – PLEASE HELP US TO HELP classified as Category A (crime/serious ASB/Hate crime). YOU MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes

A Very Happy 90th Birthday! Two of Villages’ Tenants in Stockbridge Village have celebrated their 90th birthday this year. George Owens and Joan Graham both turned 90 recently and Villages wanted to mark these special occasions, by presenting both tenants with a gift. George was originally from West Derby and moved to Stockbridge Village over 40 years ago. He is a keen gardener who rightfully takes pride in his beautiful garden, which is home to a wide variety of flowers and plants. He even grows his own fruit and veg! George also lives with his dog ‘Scamp’, who is a lively little fellow, to say the least. Villages’ staff presented George, with an ornamental flower basket that George said fitted ‘perfectly’ in his garden.

Joan has been a resident of Roughsedge House for 29 years making her one of the longest residents. Over the years Joan has been an active member of the community at Roughsedge and is always willing to get involved. She is a big Darts fan and has previously been a member of a local league team. Joan’s taking things a bit easier now, but we think she deserves a well–earned break for all her work in her local community. Joan received a bouquet of flowers from Villages staff, as our way of saying Happy Birthday and thanks for being such a wonderful tenant.

New System In Place

Villages Housing, in Partnership with Knowsley Council and Chubb Systems, have installed new ‘assistive technology’ in all of the 68 properties in the sheltered housing scheme in Stockbridge Village. The new equipment that has been provided includes a new monitoring system, wireless smoke alarms and high/ low temperature alerters specifically designed by Chubb, for Villages tenants. The new monitoring system means that a tenant in one of the sheltered properties can call for help 24 hours a day, using the neck pendant which has a button on which connects to the scheme managers and/or an emergency call centre. Lyn Kelly, Supporting People Manager at Villages Housing, says, “The new system had been very well received by our tenants. The temperature alerts will allow us to keep an eye on residents during extremes of temperature and respond. I am pleased that this project has gone very smoothly with minimum disruption to our tenants.” George Owens, a tenant of Roughsedge, said, “This system is a real improvement on the old one and it’s simpler to use. I can do my gardening with peace of mind because the pendants work outside in my garden too.”

MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes

Recipe

PASTA WITH PORK MEATBALLS AND SPICY TOMATO SAUCE

RECIPE COURTESY OF www.lfhw.com. This easy to make family supper is ideal for those busy winter week days. For a less spicy sauce omit the harissa from the tomato sauce. As an alternative try serving with potato wedges with lots of sour cream and grated cheese.

Ingredients for the meatballs

Serves 4 • 3 tablespoon oil • 1 onion, finely chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 red chilli, seeds removed and finely chopped • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander, plus extra for decorating • 450g minced pork

For the Spicy Tomato Sauce • • • • • • • • •

2 garlic cloves, crushed 1×400g can of chopped tomatoes 150ml chicken stock 1 teaspoon tomato puree 1 1/2 tablespoon of harrisa paste salt ground black pepper 350g tagliatelle pasta grated cheese

Instructions

1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a heavy frying pan, add the onion and sweat over a low heat until soft but not coloured. Add the garlic, chilli and parsley and cook for 1 further minute. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. 2. Stir the onion mixture into the minced pork. Season with salt and ground black pepper. 3. With floured hands, shape the mixture into equal-sized meatballs. 4. Heat a little more oil in a frying pan and fry the meatballs until golden brown all over. It may be necessary to do this in several batches, keep them warm whilst you make the sauce. 5. To make the sauce; heat the remaining olive oil in a heavy-based pan and add the garlic. Tip in the chopped tomatoes, stock, tomato paste and harissa and simmer 25-30 minutes with a lid on until the sauce looks thick and glossy. Taste and season. Mix with the meatballs and sauce. 6. To serve; cook the pasta and drain well. Add the reserved coriander leaves to the meatballs and serve immediately with plenty of grated cheese.

Prepare For Winter HOW TO AVOID BURST PIPES

Last winter many of our tenants returned from trips away to find their properties knee deep in water due to burst pipes, some of which also aﬀected their neighbour’s property. On inspection of these properties, the main cause was NO HEAT. If a burst pipe leaks and water comes gushing through the ceiling, it can cause real damage to your home and its contents. Even worse, burst pipes and leaks can be complicated to fix, repair work may also involve digging up your lawn, tarmac or paving. If you do not have contents insurance you may not be covered for any damage caused to your belongings. AVOID THIS KIND OF DAMAGE by preventing burst pipes and leaks in the first place. As frozen pipes often burst, winter care is crucial. MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

Try the following care tips: • Open the loft trap door on cold days to let heat in. If you're away for a while, then ask a friend or relative to check on your home and make sure pipes haven't burst or frozen. • Make sure you know where your stop tap is and check regularly that you can turn it oﬀ easily in an emergency. It's handy to label it so you remember where it is in a panic. • In cold weather the heating will need to be on low, or set to come on a couple of times a day, especially if you're going away. • Contact us immediately if you identify a burst pipe

OurTimes

STAFF PAGE PETER DIAMOND

New Starters

Peter is the new Building Surveyor at the Multi Storey flats refurbishment Project on a temporary contract until December. He will be looking after the refurbishment of Mosscraig and any other flats that become empty.

He has worked for other housing associations in Liverpool and he recently joined a local canoe and kayak club where he hopes to start white water kayaking in the winter.

EDDIE FAGAN

Eddie will be missed by many residents and the Project team and we wish him well with his new appointment with Liverpool City Council.

CAROL HART

Carol joined the company in 2006 as Finance Manager and over the last 4 years has made a huge contribution to our business. She was responsible for implementing a new finance system which is still in place today and developing and building the Finance Team which remains a credit to her. Carol enjoyed and was excited by the challenge of setting up new systems and is now using these skills in her new job in the Charities sector. All her friends at Villages wish her all the best for the future.

LISA WRIGHT

She previously worked as a customer service advisor for Expotel and ADT Fire & Security. Before that she studied at Tameside College where she gained a BTEC National Diploma in computing. She works voluntarily for a couple of American rock bands when they tour as a pseudo-roadie, â&#x20AC;&#x153;a general lackeyâ&#x20AC;? in her words!

Recent Leavers

In June 2010, The Multi-Storey Project Surveyor Eddie Fagan, left Villages Housing after 2 successful years managing contractors, as part of the Whincraig and Firscraig refurbishment works.

Lisa is the new trainee office assistant, assisting with general clerical duties in the Fitton Hill office on a 6 - month placement through Groundwork.

KATIE MILLER

Katie originally joined the company on a temporary contract from December 2008 and worked as an Administration Assistant within the Stockbridge Customer Service Team. At the end of her initial contract, Katie was offered, and accepted, a further contract as Former Tenant Arrears Officer. Katie contacted people who used to be tenants of Villages but had left their property owing rent. Katie would arrange a re-payment plan with the former tenants. She has now secured a permanent job working with another Housing Association, as a Tenant Liaison Officer, and she reports that she is enjoying her new role very much; but she misses her colleagues at Villages.

DIANE PLATFORD

Diane joined Villages in November 2007 on a temporary contract as a Customer Service Officer (CSO). Most of the tenants will know Diane from the duties she carried out on the reception desk. She worked as CSO for two and half days per week and also spent 6 months of her time working in the rent office for two days a week.

Diane will be working with a local agency as she is now seeking full time employment. She will be missed by residents and the Customer Service Team. MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes

Sad News

It is with great sadness that we inform you that Andy Flynn, who used to be Senior Surveyor at Fitton Hill from 2004 to 2007, passed away peacefully on Monday 16 August 2010 following a brave battle against cancer.

Andy played a huge role in the establishment of the Association on Fitton Hill and was responsible for implementing the Improvement Programmes across the estate that have proved so successful. Andy left Villages and joined Emanuel Whittakers in 2007 so he still had great input into work on Fitton Hill. Staff attended Andy’s funeral on Monday 23 August 2010 and offered the Association’s sincere condolences to his wife Barbara, who was formerly a well loved Customer Service Officer with the Association.

Well Done Barbara

A Day In The Life ANDREW SHIVAS TRAINEE LANDSCAPE OPERATIVE Andrew started working at Villages in July as part the landscape team on Fitton Hill. He is on a six month placement from Groundwork to provide him with training in a new skill and help him secure full time employment once his placement comes to an end. When we asked Andrew what he thought of his time with Villages he said “I’ve really enjoyed my time so far working with my colleagues at Fitton Hill. The people on the estate are lovely and very polite. I look forward to finishing my placement with Villages and hope I am successful in finding a full time job as a result of my new skills.”

EXAMPLE OF A DAY

7.45am Arrive at work - Check the machinery is in working order and complete maintenance needed.

Barbara Murray, Villages Community Development Officer, has received a Recognising Excellence Award from Liverpool City Council for Governors Making a Difference.

8.00am Leave the landscape lock-up and go onto the estate to mow the grass at the bungalows on North Croft. Before I can start mowing I have to check the area to make sure it is clean and safe.

Barbara has chaired an Interim Executive Board at a Blueberry Park Primary school in Liverpool since June 2008. She was appointed Chair by Liverpool City Council when it was put into special measures after an Ofsted inspection. The school came out of special measures earlier this year and has increased its SATs results this year by 40%.

10.10am Back to work! Move on to the open spaces on Keswick Avenue and Fir Tree Avenue. Complete all health and safety checks and mow the grass on areas owned by Villages. I make sure that I pick up any litter before I mow the area.

Barbara said," It’s great to be recognised in this way but it has been a whole school effort and we are all really proud that our pupils are eager to learn and do well.”

MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

10.00am Break – Call into Villages office for a break and cup of tea.

12.00 – 12.30 Lunch 12.30 Clear garden at an empty property. Remove all rubbish into a skip and make sure garden is clear. Help Colin, my supervisor, to level section of garden ready so it can be re-seeded for new grass. Prepare top-soil and seed the grass. 3.00 Finish work and go home.

OurTimes

Performance: How Are We Doing?

We want to improve the services we offer you, so we keep a constant check on how we are doing.

The tables below show you how we are performing against our targets. This information is gathered on a Monthly basis using information provided by our tenants and our contractors. The information is cumulative. Key

 for the year to date  isPerformance around the target figure for the year to date  isPerformance below the target figure Performance for the year to date is at or better than target

trend over the previous  The three months is improving Performance is steady or there no significant trend over the  isprevious three months trend over the previous  The three months is worsening

Villages Housing Association has around 2700 properties, covering both Fitton Hill in Oldham, and Stockbridge Village in Knowsley.

Villages Housing Association Average re-let Times (The

number of days it takes us to let out homes)

% Emergency Repairs completed on time % Urgent repairs completed on time % Routine Repairs completed on time % customers satisfied with their repairs % properties which have had their annual gas safety check % rent collected as a % rent charged The average number of seconds it takes to answer a phone call

April – June Q1

July Q2

Target

100%

99.8%

100%

96.1%

95.7%

98%

99.4%

99.2%

98%

96.3%

96.7%

95%

99%

99.3%

100%

108.8%

105.9%

100.6%

Year to Date

Trend

       

       

MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes Villages Community Housing Association (VCHA), is the charitable subsidiary of Villages Housing Association and has a portfolio of 165 properties.

Villages Community Housing Association Average re-let Times (The

number of days it takes us to let out homes)

April – June Q1

July

Target

No Lettings

100%

98%

100%

99.3%

98%

96.3%

96.7%

95%

98.1%

99.4%

100%

113.2% 108.6%

102%

Year to Date

      

Trend

      

Come & Meet Santa

Thank You Denise and Sue from Fitton Hill library would like to thank all the children who participated in the Space Hop reading challenge, well done to each and everyone of you. A special word of thanks to the parents for all their encouragement. The presentation party held on the 11th September was a huge success and a grand time was had by all.

Villages Housing’s Tenant Forums will be running Christmas grottos again this year, so bring your children along to meet Father Christmas. Santa will be at the Fitton Hill Housing office on:

Hope to see you next year!

£3 entry per child includes a visit to Father Christmas, present and photograph.

Monday 6th December Wednesday 8th December Friday 10th December from 2pm until 4pm and he will be at the Stockbridge Village Housing office on:

Monday 13th December, Tuesday 14th December, Wednesday 15th December from 2pm until 4pm.

MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes Garden Competitions

FITTON HILL

Once again this year we worked in partnership with the NDC to judge the entrants into the garden competition and visited 28 properties over two (surprisingly) warm days in an otherwise wet July. As we mentioned in the last edition of Our Times, we are joining in with First Choice Homes Oldham, the NDC and other local housing providers for a borough-wide presentation on 2nd November at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Everyone who has been awarded a prize has been notified, and is invited to the presentation to find out if they were placed first, second or third. The standard of entrants this year was fantastic and made the judges’ job very difficult to do. We must give a big thank you to our judges for their hard work over the two days; Carol, Sam and Steve and Stefan. Also, special thanks to Bob Anderson for his photography skills, and Rosie for her patience! Look out for more details on our winners and the presentation evening in the Winter edition of ‘Our Times’.

Stockbridge In Bloom The judges from RHS, Mel Kirby and Malcolm Eubank, visited Stockbridge Village on 19th July. They said on the day that they were highly impressed by the ongoing community effort and the enthusiasm of everyone they met. The Awards Ceremonies will be held in October when we will find out how well we have done in the Royal Horticultural Society Neighbourhood Awards and the Urban Regeneration category for the whole estate. Villages wish everyone good luck and thank everyone involved for all their hard work to make our estate look so special for the judges, well done. Mary Steele is pictured in Pool Hey Community Garden holding THE SPIRIT OF MERSEYSIDE AWARD which the group won earlier this year.

STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE

Villages Housing would like to thank everyone for taking part. The judges, Horticulture expert, Trish Fisher and Kate Mason from the Villages Landscape Team, stressed how hard it was to decide the winners given the exceptionally high standards this year, indeed, they felt everyone was a winner! OVERALL WINNER Joseph Lawler Round Hey

BEST PENSIONER Bill Andrews Boydell Close

BEST GARDEN Dennis Reed Juniper Close

BEST CONTAINER Mrs Carr Hollowcroft

BEST SHARED SPACE Ron Smith Brandearth Hey

Office Closure

OFFICES CLOSED ON 24th NOVEMBER

Please note that both the Villages Housing offices in Stockbridge Village and Fitton Hill will be closed all day on Wednesday 24th November for our annual staff conference. The offices will re-open at 9am on Thursday 25th November. Remember you can still report a repair or pay your rent online via the Villages website www.villages.org.uk/do_it_online.htm Remember if you want to report a repair online you first need to have registered with our “Open Access” service. It’s free, easy and will only take a couple of minutes. MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes

Clean Up Days

A Job Well Done!

YOU CAN HELP US TO CLEAN UP STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE

On Monday 13th September a huge team of people who work on Stockbridge Village, and some residents, worked hard to clear and clean up the path which runs parallel to Haswell Drive from Little Moss Hey to the Cliffs Complex.

Following on from the success of our clean up days in 2008/09, Villages Housing, Knowsley Council and other partners will again be working together on a number of ‘Clean Up Days’ around the estate between October 2010 and March 2011. During the Clean Up days we will be focussing on cleaning alleyways and footpaths on the estate, removing graffiti and clearing rubbish and bulky items. Please talk to us when we are in your area to tell us about any issues you have or any ideas you have for improving your area. The ‘Clean Up days’ are open to anyone that may be interested in attending. We would appreciate your views and feedback on whether you feel the days are worthwhile. Check below for the date of your Clean Up Day Brandearth Hey 7th October 2010 Boodecroft (1-162) 14th October 2010 Boodecroft (163-328) 21st October 2010 Cremorne Hey 4th November 2010 Little Moss Hey 11th November 2010 Woodfarm Hey 18th November 2010 Round Hey 25th November 2010 Dannette Hey 9th December 2010 Boydell Close 16th December 2010 Hollowcroft (1-85) Hollowcroft (98-172) Custley Hey Marled Hey Terret Croft Pool Hey The Spinney Alt Path

13th January 2011 20th January 2011 27th January 2011 3rd February 2011 10th February 2011 17th February 2011 24th February 2011 3rd March 2011

MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

The weather was particularly nasty but this did not deter the team who filled a four ton skip with debris and litter. Special thanks to Merseyside Police, staff from Knowsley Council, Villages Landscape Team, The Future Jobs Fund Apprentices and Villages staff.

Landscaping Courses If you are interested in landscaping and would like to go on courses to learn things such as Hedgerow Planting or to learn how to use machinery like strimmers or wood chippers, then now you can! The BTCV - British Trust for Conservation Volunteers - are running free courses in Line Square woodland, next to Blackthorne Crescent and opposite the Cliffs blocks. Course details are below. If you would like to sign up to one of these courses please contact Neil on 0151 423 4433. Courses that can be run in Blackthorne woodland in order of times: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Scrub clearance with hand tools (6 hour course) Introduction to tree felling with hand tools (6 hour course) Tree felling with hand tools level 1 (12 hour course) Introduction to coppicing (6 hour course) Coppicing Level 1 (12 hour course) Hedgerow planting Level 1 (6 hour course) Introduction to footpath construction (6 hour course) Footpath construction Level 1 (12 hour course)

Machinery courses that can be run also 1. Strimmer / Brushcutter (6 hour course) must be done in one day 2. Wood chipper (6 hour course) must be done in one day

OurTimes

Mortgage Rescue Villages Calendar Are you an owner occupier struggling in danger of having your home repossessed? There is a scheme available that may be able to help called Mortgage Rescue. This scheme allows you stay in the property but as a tenant. There are strict eligibility criteria for this scheme so to see if you qualify contact your local council.

Knowsley Council on 0151 489 6000 or visit their website www.knowsley.gov.uk, Oldham Council 0161 770 3000 or www.oldham.gov.uk .

Board Membership We are delighted to welcome Steph Tomlinson to the Villages Housing Association Board. Steph has been a Villages tenant for over 6 years and is an active volunteer in various local community groups. She has also been a member of the Stockbridge Village Estate Management Committee since it was formed; is a member of the Stockbrisge Village Tenants Forum and a member of the Merseyside Residents Network. Steph said, “I am a tenant with a young family who is keen to support Villages’ work to improve the community and engage with all tenants to achieve the best results for everyone. I want everyone – old and young – to be able to enjoy a safe and clean community.”

Fitton Hill Survey

Over the coming weeks there will be students from the University of Huddersfield completing a door to door questionnaire with our residents regarding health and wellbeing in the area. This survey is being completed in partnership with Villages, Hilltop Surgery and the Oldham Campus of University of Huddersfield. We will provide a letter from Villages to issue to the students completing the survey and they will also have their own student identification as further evidence. If you are in any doubt, please contact the Villages office on 0161 633 4060.

You should all have had delivered a copy of our 2011 Calendar which includes our annual report for 2009/10.

We are pleased to report that last year we continued to improve our performance and services across both Stockbridge Village and Fitton Hill. However there is always room for improvement and we will be working closely with the Tenant Scrutiny Panel and Tenants Forums to review our services. Both groups would love some more members so if you are interested and want to get more involved contact either Barbara Murray (0151 949 5021) or Lisa Fowles (0161 622 6894). We would love any feedback you have on this year’s calendar and report. Please contact Elena Lloyd on 0151 480 1313.

Help with Hate Crime

Villages and other partners on the Community Cohesion Multi Agency Strategy Group have funded a booklet about Hate Crime as this is an under reported crime and statistics suggest victims may suffer in silence for a long time before approaching the police. There are many agencies in the borough to support and help victims and we would urge anyone affected by this type of crime to seek support. The booklet is available at Villages reception. • Knowsley Hate Incident Helpline - 0800 953 4433 • Merseyside Police 0151 709 6010 • Stop Hate UK 24hr Helpline 0800 138 1625 • KEMS - Knowsley Ethnic Minority Support group 07890 948 912 MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes

Basic Bank Accounts

A GUIDE TO BASIC BANK ACCOUNTS

Basic bank accounts are available to everyone from most banks. The Government has stated that banks need to make a “basic bank account” available to everyone, including those with poor credit records. Opening a bank account is easy and makes managing your finances easy too.

Why open a bank account ? -

provides a route to many other banking services helps build a banking history you can make automated payments such as paying bills by direct debit. Often there are discounts if you pay this way budgeting is made easier as paying bills by direct debit spreads payments out on a monthly basis cashing cheques can be difficult and expensive without a bank account you can pay your landlord by standing order or direct debit.

Credit Union FITTON HILL Credit Unions offers a safe way to save money and you can save as little or as much as you can afford every week or every month. Once you have been saving for a while you can also apply for a loan - the interest rates are affordable and the Credit Union lends to members on the basis of their savings history with the credit union, and not their credit score. To find out more, ring Oldham Credit Union on 0161 678 7245 or visit them at their town centre shop in Albion Street, on the edge of Oldham Market Hall facing the Halifax Building Society. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10:00am to 3:00pm. The Credit Union comes to Fitton Hill Youth & Community Centre, Fir Tree Avenue, on Tuesdays 10.30am-12 noon.

How can I open an account ?

banks must be contacted directly in order to open a bank account either by ringing them or calling into your local branch all banks require proof of identity and residency as part of the application process it is not a requirement of basic bank accounts to have a minimum amount credited to the account each month. Each bank has its own policy about identity checks which it will explain to you.

MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE You can call Page Moss Credit Union in Huyton on 0151 482 0177. Beware extortionate rates of interest if you are looking for a loan – a leaflet seen recently said “…borrow £100 today and pay back only £159!” That’s an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 440.3%! By law, credit unions cannot charge more than 2% per month on the reducing balance of a loan and this represents an APR of 27%.

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Housing Benefit

If the Council are not paying you full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and you cannot afford to make up the shortfall in your rent and Council Tax, we may be able to help you to apply for temporary extra help. This extra help is known as ‘Discretionary Housing Payments’. The Council can pay you Discretionary Housing Payments if you have unusual circumstances and they think you need more help with your rent and Council Tax. They look at:• weekly income • outgoings • family circumstances (including if you have children or whether anyone who lives with you has any health problems or disabilities).

Flytipping The Environmental Action Unit of Oldham Council, have been working closely with Villages Housing Association on Fitton Hill, to tackle Fly-tipping. People caught Fly-tipping face a maximum fine of £50,000. The Enforcement Officers, who are based at Chadderton Town Hall, also patrol the area and issue fines to people who drop litter, and don’t clean up, if their dog fouls. They can also serve a Legal Notice to require tenant’s and householder’s to keep their back gardens and yards clean. Stray dogs will be collected by the Council Animal Warden. To report any of the above problems, please telephone: 0161 770 2244. Any information will be treated in confidence.

You must be receiving some Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for them to pay you Discretionary Housing Payments. We can help you write a letter to the Housing Benefit Department stating the reasons why you would like to be considered for a Discretionary Housing Payment. It is important that you give us as much information as you can about your circumstances. Normally, the council will allow the award for a period of up to 26 weeks, but this may change depending on your individual circumstances. If you need more help and advice about Discretionary Housing Payments or Housing Benefit, please get in touch with your Estate Management Officer.

New Community Nurse A new community nurse, Ruth Chorley, has been appointed for Fitton Hill by the Hilltop Surgery on Deanshut Road. Many of you will have already met Ruth at our Gala Day in August at St Cuthbert’s Church and wondered who she is.

Ruth will be based on the estate at the Hilltop surgery but will also provide some assistance to the newly opened Hollinwood Medical Centre. Her role will be to visit families referred to her on the estate, and also to work within the community to promote good health and family support. Ruth brings a lot of experience in family health and community work to Fitton Hill. She has a grown-up family and in her spare time she enjoys doing voluntary work, gardening and spending time with family and friends. Ruth has asked if you see her wandering around the estate looking lost please be kind to her!! MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes Nine Tree School

ARMY VISIT

The children from Nine Tree where treated to an extra special end of year leaving surprise. Sergeant Paul Radcliffe, an Army Careers Advisor, came to visit the school to collect a cheque on behalf of 'Help for Heroes'. Paul chatted informally with the children and answered their enthusiastic questions. The children were inspired by the countries he had visited and his army experiences, with nearly a hundred parachute jumps the children were very impressed. Paul thanked the children and the school on behalf of 'Help for Heroes’ for their continuing support. The children introduced him to their much loved and well travelled hero of their own, Honey Bear, who proudly wore his own medal after serving with the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The school is keen to keep links with Paul throughout our topic work for World War Two in the autumn term, so we look forward to seeing him again and do some more fundraising.

KNITTING CLUB

In June 2010 the children of Nine Tree School, were delighted when their long term friends the Beechwood Seniors came into school to teach them some new skills, showing them how to knit and crochet. The ladies from the group knit clothes for the Women's Hospital Premature Baby Unit. They talked to the children about how they play a part in raising money for the hospital. The clothes they knit are then sold to help towards buying incubators. They also talked about how they knitted clothes during the war.

The children were very interested and were keen to become involved and learn some knitting skills themselves, and in the future do some fundraising too. The ladies, Irene, Joyce and Peggy, really enjoyed the visit to the school and are very eager to come to visit the children again. Irene said it was nice to feel so valued, the children were so lovely. In the September we will be hoping to start an afterschool “Knitting Klub” and invite the Beechwood Ladies to visit again.

The Bo Weevils

STOCKBRIDGE BAND WANT YOUR SUPPORT The Bo Weevils are a funky 4 piece rock band, who are from Stockbridge Village. Gav Richards who is the singer, drummer and main song writer says “After years of hard work and time well served learning their trade, The Bo Weevils are ready to branch out to bring their melodic craftsmanship upon an unsuspecting public! The Weevils are finely tuned musicians who have broken free from the stereotypical mono-sound band scene (in their words!) with a set which takes you on a journey through many musical styles.”

nights in their rehearsal studio; as well as having their latest tracks played on BBC Radio.

Their previous gigs include playing the Echo Arena where they were crowned Scouse factor by the Liverpool Echo; playing Creamfields after winning a Street Waves competition, and hosting their own

To hear their music online and a chance to see their videos, visit ww.myspace.com/theboweevils, ww.youtube.com/theboweevils. You can also find them on Facebook. You can contact The Bo Weevils at theboweevils@hotmail.co.uk

MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

The Bo Weevils released their debut album “In it for the buzz” on 18 September, which is available to download from i-tunes and they played their first Matthew Street Festival gig on 29th August on the Big Stage.

OurTimes

FUN PAGE

Sudoku Corner

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.

Halloween Hat

With Halloween just around the corner why not make your own witch’s or wizard’s hat? This one is quickly made with a piece of black card. Of course you can add decorations of all sorts, or adapt the craft to make a wizard's hat (with a bigger brim and perhaps using purple card). You will need: the brim (circle 2). A large sheet of black Cut out card circle 2. Sticky tape

Instructions: Draw an arc, either freehand or using your pencil and string, from one corner of the black card to part way along the opposite long side, to form a quarter of a circle. Cut along the line. Roll this quarter circle into a cone big enough to fit on the witch’s head and tape together. Stand the hat on the remaining card and draw around the base (circle 1). Decide on the width of the brim you would like, and draw another bigger circle around circle 1 to make

Draw a t h i r d circle (circle 3) about 2cm (1 inch) inside circle 1. Cut along this line. Cut small slits at approximately 2cm (1 inch) intervals between circle 3 and circle 1 to form flaps. Crease them along the line of circle 1. Now stand the cone onto the brim, and fold the flaps up inside the hat, taping them in place. Cut the crepe paper into strips and tape these inside the hat so that they hang down to form hair.

5 9 6 7

4 9 6 8 5 2 9 1 1 6 7 8 9 2 7 6 6 1 8 2 5 9 6 7 4

Wordsearch

Bat g h o s t s b Black Broom b o l h s p o Cat v o b a w i t Costumes a t l l b r o Ghosts Halloween m q a l n i g Hoot p j c o s t u Monster Moon i n k w a s c Mummy r s k e l e t Night e j e e m u m Owl i m o n s t e Pumpkin Scare m o o n o e s Skeleton Spider Spirits Spooky Vampire Witch

a o c o h m a o m r c

t k h m t e t n y q a

n y o w l s p i d e r

t p u m p k i n f v e

Brain Teaser

A basket contains 5 apples. Do you know how to divide them among 5 kids so that each one has an apple and one apple stays in the basket? Answer 4 kids get an apple (one apple for each one of them) and the fifth kid gets an apple with the basket still containing the apple.

Green crepe paper (or yellow or black wool/yarn) A piece of string and a pencil to draw your arc - optional

1 2

MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes FITTON HILL

What’s On & Where

STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE

Citizens advice - Every other Friday 9am- 12pm. - Villages Housing office

Citizens advice Tuesdays from 10am - 12.30pm, Villages Housing Office

Fright Night- October 29th 4pm – 7pm, Join in the fun and celebrate Halloween with spooky games, apple bobbin and many more activities. Stoneleigh Park, Derker, Oldham. – FREE ADMISSION

One Stop Shop Service Now Open at Knowsley Works Tuesdays and Fridays 9.15am until 12.45pm - drop in.

Model Railway Exhibition - November 27th-28th Saddleworth Museum, Uppermill – FREE ADMISSION Sleeping Beauty - 20th November – 8th January 2011. Oldham Coliseum Telephone: 0161 624 2829. Website: www.coliseum.org.uk Tickets: £6.75 - £16.95. Some concessions apply Times: 10.15am; 2.15pm; 7.30pm Honeywell Centre Car Boot Sale - Sunday 31st October 2010, 8.30am £10 per stall – indoor and outdoor stalls. FREE ADMISSION to the public. For more details contact the Honeywell Centre on 0161 621 3900. The Skills Swap Shop The group meets to use existing craft skills such as knitting and sewing, as well as learning new ones from each other. In addition the group also work alongside young adults from Fitton Hill Youth Centre as the award winning “Fun for All Ages” group where they develop new friendships, share experiences and skills and learn respect for each other. When: Every Wednesday between 1pm and 3pm. Where: Villages Community Information Point on the parade alongside the Fitton Hill Office. Weekly membership fee £1.00 For more details please contact Lisa Fowles at Villages on 0161 633 4060. Tenants Forum Christmas Grotto, Villages Office, Fitton Hill, Monday 6th December, Wednesday 8th December and Friday 10th December, 2pm - 4pm, £3 per child

Croxteth Hall Saturday 23 - Sunday 31 October Donkey Rides and Horse Drawn Bus Rides A small charge is payable. Thursday 28 and Friday 29 October Tales of Myths and Monsters and Creepy Tales 'Learning is fun at Croxteth Hall' Fun and educational storytelling sessions with puppetry (aimed at ages 4-11). Tales of Myths and Monsters at 10.30am and 11.45am each day. Creepy Tales at 1.30pm and 3.00pm each day. Traditional ghost stories to add to the Halloween fun at Croxteth Hall. Booking is essential - to book a place (£3.00 per child, £1.00 per adult), please ring the Hall Gift Shop on 0151 233 6930. Play and Pamper – Tuesday 26th October – 1-3pm St Georges Church Hall, Primrose Drive/Hillside Rd, Huyton Stress Busting Workshop – Thursday 28th October 10am – 12noon – Acorn Children’s Centre, Brookside School, Stockbridge Village Family Fun Day – Friday 29th October 11 – 3pm, St Georges Church Hall, Primrose Drive/Hillside Rd, Huyton Thursday 9th December 1.30-2.30pm Christmas Carol Concert (with Father Christmas!) St Albert’s Church, Hollow Croft Christmas Grotto - 13, 14 and 15th December, 2pm 4pm, Villages Office Why not see what’s happening in the Space building next to St. Brigid’s school? They have lots of activities for all age groups, call them on 0151 477 8586.

Do you have an event you would like us to promote in ‘Our Times’ or on our website or in our reception areas? If so, call Elena Lloyd on 0151 480 1313 or email elena.lloyd@villages.org.uk MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010

OurTimes

Skip Dates The Skips will be sited on Thursdays, early morning, and removed around lunch time or when they’re full. Please note the skip service cannot take fridges, freezers, gas bottles or tyres. For removal of these items phone Knowsley Contract Services on 0151 443 2400, or Oldham Council on 0161 770 6644 . You may incur a charge for the council to remove these items. Thank You.

FITTON HILL

STOCKBRIDGE VILLAGE

23 September and 2 December

Southcroft (grassed central area)

30 September – Car park adjacent to 11 The Grove Dannette Hey

30 September and 9 December

Wildbrook Crescent (car park to front of Nos 59-85)

7 October– Car park to rear of the Barley Mow

7 October and 16 December

Rosary Road (opposite No 66) (grassed central area)

14 October and 23 December

Woodpark Close (to the side of No 60)

21 October

Fold View (on the grass across from The Ace)

28 October

Snipe Road & Bankfield Drive (grassed area at the junction)

4 November

Dowry Street (on the car park)

11 November

St Cuthberts Church, Tanners Fold (in the grounds of the Church)

18 November

Sportsmans Drive (in the parking bay on the left)

25 November

Reins Lea Avenue

14 October - Car park opposite 8-10 Plumtree Close 21 October – Rosewood Close 28 October– Cliffs Car Park 4 November – Car Park to rear of 328 Boode Croft 11 November – Car Park adjacent to 135 Boode Croft 18 November – Car park opposite cul de sac Hollow Croft 25 November – Car park opposite 93 Custley Hey/ 64 Woodfarm Hey 2 December – Car park adjacent to open space Marled Hey 9 December– Car park 3 /4 Spruce Grove 16 December – Car Park on corner between 33 / 34 The Spinney 23 December– To rear of 180 Round Hey

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

Contact Details email: info@villages.org.uk Website: www.villages.org.uk

Stockbridge Village Address: 16 The Croft, Stockbridge Village, Knowsley, Merseyside, L28 1NR Tel: 0151 480 1313 Fax: 0151 480 5189 MORE THAN JUST A LANDLORD AUTUMN 2010