The VPRA News Blog

Your VPRA at work reports for August 2008   

31/08/2008 Black Bobbies field.

Police had to be called in at lunchtime after a gang of youths started a fire down on the Black Bobbies Field, fuelling their fire by puling trees down and smashing shrubs

30.08.2008 Allotments.

VPRA Vice Chair, Jo Robinson appears in the Gazette, explaining the good works she and her colleagues in the Thornaby Allotments Management Committee have been doing. Jo, who is also the VPRA rep to the allotments committee, has been instrumental in helping to raise the funding to fence the allotments off and prevent their being used as a briar patch by local criminals and yobs on the run.
Well Done Jo and all involved
 

29.08.2008 5 Lamps Fun Day

VPRA attended the Fun Day at the South Thornaby Community Centre and put out the new information stands with various local leaflets, Thanks to Tracy from SRCGA for rushing our Newsletter through and hand delivering it.

28.08.2008 Change for a Smile

Contacted by Kendra our good friend from Change for A smile who are donating a bench to the VPRA for the new Halcyon Centre. Please see below for their latest fund raiser.

27.08.2008 In Bloom

VPRA area visited by the Northumbria in Bloom judges as part of the VPRA entry into the competition as an individual neighbourhood, aside from the town as an entry. The judge visited domestic gardens in The Crescent, Stannage Grove, the VPRA plot outside the Jolly farmers Pub, then gardens on Thornaby Road, the Airman's statue and on to tea and biscuits in the Village Park Bowls Club.
The judge's comments were positive to say the least. Thanks to Barry Hunter from CFYA for ferrying the judge around and thanks to the officials in the Village Park Bowls club for allowing us to use their facilities.
 

27.08.2008  Thornaby Show Cancelled.

VPRA contacted by Thornaby Town Council earlier today to be given the news that on the recommendation of
Care For Your Area, the Harold Wilson Sports field was deemed unsuitable to use as a venue for the Thornaby Show this year.
This is sad news for the many people who enjoy the event but was out of the Town Council's hands. Concerns had
been expressed by many people about the atrocious weather conditions and the potential results for the show. It had been hoped that the field would be dried off if rain halted but this was found not to be the case at 10am today.
 

25.08.2008 Thornaby Show

As part of the big push to get people to enter Thornaby Shows Flower, Veg, Homecrafts and Handicrafts sections the VPRA have put a temporary website online with a downloadable schedule. Apologies for the quality of the schedule but we only have a photograph to work from and not a word doc. Click below for the links.

24.08.2008 In Bloom

Residents in Stannage Grove were busy all day making sure their gardens are in good condition for the NIB judges visit on Wednesday.

The VGG was also out early doors weeding and tidying around the Jolly Farmers lay by.

24.08.2008  Litter Again.

Numerous residents have contacted the VPRA about the unacceptable amount of litter and filth, including dropped by people fishing on the Tees in the VPRA area. One dog has been made to have treatment after a barbed hook was found in its paw. Bottles cans, plastic bags, open sweet corn tins and human faeces have made the Black Bobbies area a dump which, for many people is to be avoided. The relevant authorities are to be contacted.
 

23.08.2008 Village Guerilla Gardener

The VGG was out this morning  dead heading the 200 white “Princess of Wales” roses at the Airman statue followed by a weeding session on the bed of Glad Tidings and lopping some low branches off the trees that overhang the footpath. This was followed by a weeding and tidying session around the small beds on the green in preparation for the visit of the Britain in Bloom judges on Wednesday.

22.08.2008   Village Park

Meeting between VPRA reps, Stockton Council, Enforcement and Thornaby Police took place this afternoon to try and resolve the problems caused recently by football teams using the park.,

22.08.2008   Rotary Club

VPRA receive a cheque  from the Thornaby and Yarm Rotary club to finance the fishing trips along the River Tees for the young people in the VPRA area. These trips are all fully booked now and have been organised by the VPRA with the aid of SRCGA Ltd and the SBC Youth Services who have helpedthe group contact youth organisations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                NO OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED

22.08.2008 Northumbria in Bloom

VPRA secretary telephoned by the chairman of the Northumbria in Bloom competition  to apologise for the situation which arose and to arrange a date for future judging which will be during next week.
 

21.08.2008 In Bloom

It appears that our entry into this years Neighbourhood Awards had been mislaid and after prompting again this week we found that the only day available to judge is Friday, this is already taken up by VPRA officials meeting up with police and Council officers about the recent problems in the Village Park. After a series of e mails and phone calls from both VPRA reps and CFYA officers we have now been given a new date of next Wednesday (to be confirmed) for our judging visit.

Gratefull thanks to CFYA officers  Debbie McGough and Sheree Daniels for contacting NIB to help sort out the mess.

21.08.2008 Damaged Lamp

VPRA resident reported a potential damaged lamppost outside Sainsbury`s on Thorntree Road. A large white articulated lorry clipped it as it pulled away from the shop nearly knocking it over. It was checked within two hours of the report being e mailed in to CFYA. Thanks to Chris James at CFYA for the swift action.

20.08.2008 Village Park

Following from Monday's request for help with the issues in the park, the following e-mail has been sent to the VPRA

Subject: Problems at Village Park
Dear Sir,

Further to your recent email to Neil Schneider re; the problems in Village Park,  I can confirm the following:

I have spoken to Beckfields FC this morning  and advised them that the behaviour being demonstrated by some of the players is unacceptable. and this must change if they are to have an extended stay at the park.

The action the Club have  committed to are as follows:

• ·         Ensuring the changing rooms are open at all times and that both teams are made aware that toilets must be used and players must change within the confines of the pavilion.
• ·         That all litter is collected at the end of the game and park is left as it was found.
• ·         That a code of conduct will be disseminated to all players detailing their responsibility whilst playing in an open public environment.
• I have advised them that should the issues in the park endure then quite simply they will be not be allowed to utilise the park in the future.
• Please could you keep me informed should issues of unacceptable bahaviour continue and we will ensure that the appropriate sanctions are taken.
• Kind Regards
• Neil Russell
• Leisure & Sports Development Manager

19.08.2008  Pizza Takeaway

VPRA were contacted by the owners of the Green Corner Shop, concerning plans to apply for planning permission to deliver Pizzas from the Building. Mr Kahn has made it clear that he will meet all requests and fears of the VPRA and local residents concerning the plans. No Pizzas will be sold from the shop they will be delivery only. Equally, it is the intention to stop dealing in alcohol as a result of this change early in the new year. Concerns regarding the smell of cooking from thePizza making process will be dealt with through a series of filters designed for this process and approved by Stockton Borough Council.

17.08.2008 Green Thumbs

VPRA photographers out around the area taking pictures of nominated gardens for our Green Thumbs awards.

15.08.2008 Halcyon Centre

VPRA reps were invited for a meeting with Fiona Peel at the Newly opened Halcyon Centre.

The VPRA have been asked to have a look at and come up with ideas for a garden as part of Fiona`s vision “Journey through Life” Hopefully we will be able to come up with a suitable “free” garden.

14.08.2008 Tristar

VPRA rep attend the Tristar Homes Reaching Out Area Panel meeting in South Thornaby Community Centre.
Residents from across Tristar patches in Thornaby were present, as Patch Champions. The VPRA have a rep who is a patch champion for the Richardson Road/ Village and Laburnum area, yet a rep was on hand to discus the
benefits of residents starting their own residents association. Indeed some residents from the a nearby ward
have asked for help establishing their own residents group .

Similarly, ideas are being sought by Tristar for projects to enhance areas within their general control which will make a positive impact and enhance the area, aside from their ongoing commitment to properties. This can be any project from a tenant and can be suggested  by your patch champion, via our link button above or via Tristar Customer Service Helpline 01642 528100.

Anne Howard gave us all some excellent information regarding the neighbourhood Watch scheme and their new
drive to stamp out cold callers and related crime. For more info on this and details of who to contact to get
involved follow the contact link .

Tristar Neighbourhood manager, Karen Appleby also presented the draught version of the Estate Management Promises,
(Click here) This is to be developed and agreed in partnership with customers and your ideas and opinions are actively sought by both Karen and Grahame French. Please contact as per the contact details displayed here or via the VPRA contact button above and we will forward opinions.

12.08.2008 Thornaby Show

VPRA reps attended TTC Thornaby Show meeting. Show is Sunday August 31st on the Harold Wilson Field. Starts 10 am.

List of Classes will be posted here as soon as schedule received from TTC.  

09.08.2008 In Bloom

Re planting of part of the flower bed opposite the Jolly Farmers ready for the Northumbria Neighbourhood in Bloom judges visit.

07.08.2008 VPRA on Youtube

The VPRA now has its own Youtube Channel VPRA Tube

07.08.2008 Tristar

VPRA  volunteers invited to the Tristar Homes Family Fun Day held at Preston Park. A massive event which brought residents and Tristar Tenants into contact with organisations and service providers they might not otherwise get the chance to meet.

05.08.2008 VPRA Videos

VPRA video of Yorkshire Day now online on Youtube

02.08.2008 Yorkshire Day - Thornaby Style.

The VPRA were involved in the organising of this years inaugural Yorkshire Day Event. We had our own information stand with details of In Bloom, buses, the Village Park along with a Tombola.

A good number of people attended the event held in and around St. Peters Church on the Green with our friends from Tristar doing face painting.

 Father Mark got into the swing of things after he had done his official duties by holding a special church service.

Link to all 67 VPRA pictures from the day. Yorkshire Day.

02.08.2008 New PCSO takes a bow.

PCSO 8231 Michelle Legg  has been out and about around the Village for the past week, if you have anything to report please stop Michelle if you see her out on her bike.

01.08.2008 Village Park Bowls Club

VPRA contacted by Bowls Club Members about the theft of two ornamental benches from inside the Bowls Club compound. A fence has been cut and the two benches taken through it. If you saw anything or hear of anyone selling benches please let us know or contact Thornaby Police.

01.08.2008 Official Yorkshire Day

VPRA committee members spent the day preparing for Thornaby Yorkshire Day on 2nd August. 

Neighbourhood Police

Phone 302930