A decade of success

New Bilton Grange Residents' Association proudly celebrated its tin or tenth anniversary in April this year.
This is a milestone in local community involvement for the association, which started out as a small group of determined local tenants and residents.
"I wanted to do something for the families on the estate," says honorary president, Wendy Green, one of the association's founder members.
"After three months of training, I and the other founder members went door-to-door, hand delivering leaflets about the association to every house on the estate and soon we had over 300 members."
Over the ten years, the association has organised and raised funds for community events such as the Gala in the Park, coach trips and Christmas parties for older local residents and association members.
Its ground floor offices are at Ross Cleveland House on Valiant Drive.
"In the next ten years, we want to build on what has been established," says Wendy.
"We need new members and more volunteers with fresh ideas and the enthusiasm and motivation to take it forward."
If you are interested in becoming a member or attending meetings, the association meets at St Philip's Church at 7pm on the first Tuesday of each month.

For more information email newbiltongrangeres@hotmail.co.uk or ring 715352.

tenant news in brief

Tenants' Forum A representative from housing strategy is the guest speaker at the next Tenants' Forum meeting on Monday 15 June, 1.30pm - 4.30pm at the Guildhall. For more details ring 300300 and ask to speak to the Tenant Participation Team. New members are always welcome. Housing Academy places The next Housing Academy day-time course starts in September 2009. The two-hour, 14-week course covers topics such as housing law, antisocial behaviour, equalities and customer service. The academy aims to help local tenants and residents participate more fully in local and city-wide decision making. If you are interested in joining the academy please contact the Tenant Participation Team on 300300. Did you know...? Hull City Council has a range of garages across the city available to rent. If you are interested please complete the council garages application form available from any customer service centre or information point or ring 300300 for further details. Non-council tenants can also apply.

Anything can happen in the next five minutes...

It's all go with Sculcoates Neighbourhood Association (SNA) who don't let the grass grow under their feet.

Sculcoates cemetery action day 2009

In 2007, SNA volunteers renovated the Sculcoates Lane cemetery with Friends of the Earth volunteers.
In April 2009, SNA held an action day, concentrating on the Sculcoates Lane cemetery's northern site.
"Our first aim for the day was to clear the litter and overgrowing brambles and shrubs, to plant wild flowers and to carry out some sensitive clearing of the area" says Fran McStay, association chair.
"This included making unsafe grave sites safer, by the council prior to the action day, filling in the unstable areas with topsoil.
"Our second aim was to show the community how far we had come.
The project doesn't look as if it is moving very fast but a lot of the work is behind the scenes: raising funding for railings and gates, plants and gardening supplies, with the litter pickers and brooms being supplied by the Wyke Area Team." The action day saw the cemetery become a hive of activity, with volunteers litter picking, clearing, planting, digging and helping out on the association's stands that showed what it does and how people can join.
"I was absolutely over the moon with the response," says Fran.
"We had between 30 and 40 people volunteering on the day - aged nine to 90.
We gave out 20 volunteering application forms and gained eight new members.
"We have also noticed that since the action day, one of the recently uncovered graves is now being tended.
We also found a grave in the southern cemetery which contains a relative of Joan West, one of our members." The next cemetery meeting takes place at Crown Paints, Sculcoates Lane, Tuesday 2 June, 10am.

Barmston Drain update

Since 2007, Friends of the Earth volunteers have involved local people in planting trees and wild flowers along the banks of the drain.
"We had an officer from the Environment Agency walk along the banks to find out where people are tipping rubbish into the drain," says Fran.
"We are currently looking to see if we can arrange for gates to be installed to stop the fly-tippers."
If you are interested in volunteering or in becoming a member of the SNA and attending any of their meetings, contact Fran McStay by email at cheriemcstay@yahoo.co.uk, by telephone 448144 or mobile telephone 07833571758.

You said Tenants and residents involved in activities with the council requested identity badges to distinguish them from council staff.

We did Volunteers involved in activities with the council now have identity badges.

Proposed changes to the Tenancy Agreement Hull City Council is inviting comments on its plan to modernise its existing tenancy and licence agreements. Your tenancy or licence agreement is a legal contract which you sign before you move into your council home. It explains both yours and the council's rights and responsibilities. In autumn we are asking all our 26,600 tenants and licence holders along with other interested groups for their comments. Look out for the letter that tells you more about this review and gives further information about how you can comment on the changes.