Superheroes in their community

From cleaning up the local environment to producing newsletters and even book publishing...Sculcoates Neighbourhood Association is making things happen.

Treasurer of Sculcoates Neighbourhood Association Dee Williamson (right) and committee member Beryl Taylor.

"Any community or individual can make significant improvements to their local area – all that is needed is time, commitment, support and a willingness to work with other people." These are the words of Fran McStay, chair of the Sculcoates Neighbourhood Association (SNA), who has become nothing short of an inspiration in the way she and the association's members have made changes in their local area.
"People don't realise how beautiful the Sculcoates area is, and can be," says Fran.
"It's now over a year since we first met as an association and we quickly realised that if we wanted to get things done, we needed to be more organised."
The SNA received a grant of £500 from the Wyke Area Committee for running costs and also raised funds through stalls and sponsorship.
Their success is largely down to the driving force of local people, including residents of the Tunis Centre, the local council-run sheltered scheme.
"We work with the police, community wardens, local councillors and anyone who may be able to help us in our aims to make the area better for everyone."

Barmston Drain

One of the major changes has been to the environment around Barmston Drain where, together with Friends of the Earth, SNA has planted trees, cleared fly-tipped rubbish and vegetation away, and done a lot of digging.
"We have lots more plans for Barmston Drain, similar to those carried out on Preston Road to create the Waterway - cutting the banks back with one side for wildlife and the other for people."

Book Publishing

SNA member Cllr Mark Collinson (left) with David Longthorne from Friends of the Earth

Chair of SNA Fran McStay and neighbourhood manager Tony Saxby

Ron Kemp (left) former Sculcoates resident and Arthur Tonkinson member of SNA in the park

Working with members of the Hull and district local history research group, and with help from a lottery grant, SNA has published a book called 'A Breath of Sculcoates'.
It's available on e-bay or from the association, for £5.99.
"We have sent copies all over the world to people who used to live here," says Fran.

The Sculcoates Lane Cemetery project

Sculcoates Lane Cemetery was renovated with a £10,000 grant from the Community Investment Fund to create a place people can enjoy and where wildlife can thrive.
After speaking to the Diocese of York, which owns the cemetery, and receiving planning permission and funding, the SNA arranged for a fleur-de-lys fence to be built on the site's north side.
"We are going to do some sensitive clearing and add some planned seating to link the areas together," says Fran.
"We want to leave gravestones upright and only lay down those that we absolutely have to.

Newsletters

The association also produces its own quarterly newsletter which is delivered by its members to more than 900 Sculcoates residents to keep them up-to-date with all the projects they are involved with.
Additional free copies are available in local shops and from the Dorchester Hotel.

Sculcoates Park

The area known locally as Sculcoates Park, was in a dreadful state with a damaged stage, fly-tipping, vandalism and graffiti.
Burned out wheelie-bins had damaged the play court area surfaces. But the association got local people, council officers, councillors and Sure Start together to create a steering group to tackle the problem, and applied for a Hull DOC 'Your Heritage, Your Future' project funding grant.
"The newly-named park now has re-laid and resurfaced basketball court and football play areas, new net fencing, kick-backs and lights.
The funding helped to buy sports equipment and paid for coaches to run sessions during the summer holidays.
Local church members from the Vineyard are helping to keep the park tidy."

If you feel inspired to start your own tenants' and residents' association, contact the council's Tenant Participation Team on 300300.

Thanks due

'The influence tenants have on their landlords' was the topic of discussion at a recent conference attended by members of HURAT and the Yorkshire and Humber Tenants and Residents' Federation.
Government official Richard Crossley also spoke on the subject of tenants and neighbourhoods.
HURAT (Hull United Residents and Tenants) would like to thank everyone who contributed to the conference and its workshops.
A report and DVD of the conference will shortly be available from HURAT on tel 331313/2 or by emailing info@hurat.org.uk
Meanwhile, anyone who is considering developing a resident group should contact HURAT which can provide advice and assistance, including with funding.

Protect your belongings

Hull Housing tenants are being urged to make sure they have home contents insurance in the wake of this summer's floods.
Hull City Council has been working with insurance companies to find a policy that offers house contents cover at affordable prices.
For more information about the Council's tenant and leaseholder insurance scheme, visit your local customer service centre or ring 300300.

Remember to pay your rent!

Housing tenants are being advised not to fall behind with their rent payments over the Christmas period.
It's the time of year when rent arrears increase the most, putting some tenants into further debt and costing the Council vital income.
Tenants whose rent payments are up to date, and have a clear rent account, have a two week rent free period. Anyone already in arrears, however, should continue to make their usual weekly payments.
For more information contact 300300.

Forum Meeting

The next Tenants' Forum meeting is December 20 at the Guildhall, between 10am and 1.30pm.
The forum is a group of tenants and residents from across the city who are dedicated to improving housing services.