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Welcome to the Village Park Residents Association. Thornaby on Tees
Your residents group for the Village Area.
Membership is free to every household in the Village Area.
(Supported by Stockton Residents & Community Groups Association)
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If you see any Anti Social Behaviour no matter how small call Neighbourhood policing on 302930
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The VPRA News Blog (click here for past months)
Your VPRA at work reports for August 2009
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Click here for CFYA Bin and Recycle Collection Days
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31.08.2009 Demolition Done
The old S+ D Print factory unit is now demolished and a pile of rubble remains.
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30.08.2009 Park Dumping
Thank you to the inconsiderate residents for leaving their rubbish in the Village Park in the discarded Asda trolleys. There are two such trolleys filled with black bin bags dumped in the bushes. Bags are to be examined to see if there are any traces of an address, if so CFYA will be asked to prosecute.
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29.08.2009 Countdown to Lidl
The new Lidl store opens next week on 3rd September, staff busy this morning stocking up the shelves. VPRA rep had discussions with store management about recovery of trolleys which may be left around the streets.
Contact details will be posted on here once the shop opens.
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27.08.2009 Blackpath Update
VPRA can finally report the overgrown hedges at the Thorntree Road end have been cut back and tidied in time for the schools going back. Tristar Homes finally got this sorted although we have to point out it was not Tristar fault, they had to negotiate with their tenants who had not bothered to keep their hedges tidy. At least the sight lines are now clear and nothing is hanging over to catch peoples faces.
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26.08.2009 Neighbourhood Watch Alert
Subject: Ringmaster - Stockton - thornaby
> Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:42:57 +0100
> > [STOCKTON COMMUNITY MESSAGING - Stockton - thornaby]
>> *** OPERATION STRONGBOW***
>
> BRISBANE CRESCENT THORNABY
>
> MALES WITH IRISH ACCENTS CALLED ON SUNDAY TO ASK IF CALLER NEEDED HIS PATH TARMACING
>
> CALLER AGREED PRICE OF £350 FOR HIS PATH TO BE DONE.
> 5 MALES TURNED UP ON MONDAY AND STARTED DIGGING PATH UP
> THEY MENTIONS THAT THE BRICKS UNDERNEATH THE DAMP COURSE WERE IN POOR CONDITION AND WOULD NEED UNDERPINNING
> THEY CAME UP WITH A PRICE OF £9500 AND THE HOUSEHOLDER AGREED TO THIS.
> THEY TOLD CALLER THEY WOULD NEED MATERIALS TO DO WORK AND ASKED FOR MONEY UP FRONT
> ON MONDAY HE WENT INTO TOWN AND WITHDREW £2000 IN CASH AND GAVE THAT TO MALES
> THEN TOLD HIM THEY REQUIRED ANOTHER £1000 TO GET MORE MATERIALS WHICH HE WITHDREW FROM BANK TODAY THE MALES HAVE PHONE THE HOUSEHOLDER ON HIS MOBILE AND TOLD HIM THAT THEY REQUIRED THE MONEY TODAY AND TO MEET THEM AT TESCO IN STOCKTON
> HE MET THEM AND HANDED OVER MONEY AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SEEN SINCE
>THE MALES WERE IN A FLAT BED LORRY BUT NO VRM OR ANY MARKING ETC KNOWN.
> If you know anything about this crime please contact ron baker on 302341
> or contact the police on 326326
>
> Please contact us with any information or click the following link:
> http://www.snhwcommunitymessaging.org/rmwebportal/replytomesg.aspx?mesg_id=bf2c4689-978e-4e06-a31e-79673bd39024&email=-1&web=-1
> www.snhwcommunitymessaging.org
> ron.baker@cleveland.pnn.police.uk
> www.snhwcommunitymessaging.org
>
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24.08.2009 Millbank Lane
VPRA contacted over the weekend by residents on Millbank lane concerned about the impending demolition of the old S+D Print building.. There has been a number of fires lit by youngsters over the weekend and they are concerned about the mess that may be made when the building finally comes down.
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22.08.2009 Vermin Problems
Residents from Harrier close contacted VPRA for help and advice as, despite being outside the VPRA area they are being plagued with mice and rats from the vacant land to their rear.(site of former Coach yard). SBC will be contacted.
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21.08.2009 Village Honey
Keep your eyes open for "Thornaby Honey" next year, as a local in the VPRA area on Richardson Road has started keeping his own bees. The resident who wants exact location kept quiet for obvious reasons decided that this would be an excellent way of supporting the local environment and bees themselves who are suffering a number of natural problems hitting at their numbers.
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20.08.2009 Harold Wilson Sports Field
As reported on here last month things are now moving in getting the new changing rooms built. VPRA had a rep on the Steering Committee from its conception and along with Councillors and Bader residents helped get the scheme moving along. Evening Gazette Report
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20.08.2009 Park Update
Vpra reps met with SBC officers twice this week to discuss the seating for the village Park and
the safety barriers outside of the gates into the park. Seating will be in situ, we are told within the fortnight. Seating has been part funded by a grant of £2000 from Thornaby Town Council specifically to fund seating.
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19.08.2009 Yorkshire Ridings
VPRA contacted to be told they have been successful in becoming a "group" member of the
Yorkshire Ridings Society. Reps will now be attending the meetings of the body to offer support and encouragement. This is a non party political organisation which works to promote the ancient region of Yorkshire know as the Ridings of Yorkshire. Previously, Thornaby was part of the North Ridings.
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18.08.2009 Laburnum ASB Update
E mail from Tristar ASB Team to say they are visiting houses in the Laburnum area on Tuesday to to talk with residents about the problems over the past week.
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17.08.2009 Sainsbury`s Update
E mail reply from Sainsbury`s Head Office about the ongoing ASB problems. The flat roof access has now been coated in anti vandal grease paint and staff in the shop are working with Enforcement and Thornaby Police to help cut the problems out.
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17.08.2009 Shopping Trolleys
Residents have reported youths moving electrical equipment around late at night, using a shopping trolley. The fear is that, whilst this may be totally harmless this could be the result of criminal activity. The best way to get to the bottom of the situation is to report it and let the police decide. The problem of ASDA shopping trolleys appearing across the patch has been taken up by, among others, the Thornaby Tristar Homes R.O.A.P, who are trying to drive ASDA to re connect the blocking transmission to prevent trolleys leaving the town centre. In case this seems a bias comment against ASDA, there has only been one incident of another shop's trolley REPORTED to the VPRA. But we are now concerned that with Lidl opening next month the trend may increase.
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16.08.2009 In Bloom
Green Thumbs gardens visited again today to finish off this years nominations. Also had a weeding session on the green around the old stone, marigolds still blooming.
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16.08.2009 Resident Help
VPRA stepped in to help distressed elderly resident up on Greenwood Estate this morning. This was because of a blocked small drain causing unsavoury smalls into the house. VPRA rep cleared the initial blockage to get the smell away and also e mailed Tristar to ask to attend on Monday to survey the full problem.
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16.08.2009 Computer Help
The VPRA are teaming up with a local F E college again this year to bring FREE EXPERT IT help to voluntary and community sector organisations in the borough of Stockton. This can include anything from setting up a data base to having a website built to the very highest standards. FOR FREE. In the past, organisations such as the Willows Centre, Stockton and Thrive, among others have benefited from this service. It's now your chance to do the same. Contact the VPRA via this site and we will help you become part of the scheme.
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15.08.2009 VPRA Comment
The VPRA would like to point out that comments on a website about Thornaby and Thornaby Councillors have nothing to do with them. They are on a personal Labour Blog by a Thornaby resident and are not associated in any way with the VPRA. To be honest we are not sure exactly what it means as the planning application for the banners was passed by SBC.
The actual post is below with the persons name removed, the person is said to be going to stand as a Labour Candidate at the next elections so seems to have started early. No alterations have been made to the post and any spelling and grammar error’s are directly from the site.
“Shambles!!! - 05:02 pm, Wed 12th Aug 2009 http://blogs.labour.org.uk/l***f****
I attended the planning meeting today, and it must be said, from a personal point of view, what a shambles. There was no representative from Thornaby Town Council, however, there was a town councillor there, but rejecting plans for Banners to advertise the Town show, in the intrest of the Tax payers. And i say good on him/her.
How can a town council, and its elected representatives, come to such chaos, where you have councillors, objecting in public, the plans for there own town council, and with me putting this blog on here, i hope not to critisise any members or staff of TTC, but to let members of the public know what is happening, which they have a right to, and a resident myself, it is a shame that some people who are elected by us, can't seem to agree on objectives are in trouble, and that is where i stand. “
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15.08.2009 Fordy Grove/Thorntree Road
VPRA contacted again early this morning by two residents about children playing on the flat roof of Sainsbury`s shop and playing football at the top end of the grove using the shop wall as a goal. It was pointed out that it s their responsibility as a caring resident to report the problems firstly to the police and Enforcement. Sainsbury`s have been told on numerous occasions about the problems as they are happening but apart from telling the kids to get down etc.. nothing seems to get done to stop this.
VPRA will be contacting the regional office for Sainsbury to ask for anti vandal/climbing paint to be put along the pipes and guttering on both sides of the shop to try and at least stop this problem. parents will soon want to know where their kids have been if the come home covered in a black sticky mess.
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15.08.2009 Planning Application (09/1859/COU)
Reminder to anyone wanting to object to the new hot food takeaway on Thornaby Road that objections need to be in by the end of next week. VPRA have been approached by some Thornaby Road residents to support them in stopping the application. At the moment the SBC website only shows 2 objections by individuals (VPRA committee members) and the Poplars Home. If you care about our area and want to object then visit the SBC Planning Portal to do so.
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14.08.2009 The Green
Residents contacted the VPRA concerning cars parking on the Green Lane end of Lawrence Road, opposite the Village Club, following a resident claiming that the stretch of road, which runs along side 2 Lawrence Road, was a private road and vehicles were not allowed to park there. However, whilst the VPRA would never get directly involved in a dispute over property or land, a call was made to Mark Gillson, a good friend of the VPRA at SBC, who explained that this area of road is fully adopted by SBC and is not a private road. The road is in the public right of way until the boundaries of the property along side no 2, 3 Lawrence Road.
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13.08.2009 Redcar Road Update
The deep potholes in Redcar Road have been filled in this week as promised by SBC, looks a bit like a patchwork quilt but the main thing is car damage should be cut to nothing now.
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12.08.2009 Anti Social Behaviour
VPRA contacted by residents in Laburnum Avenue concerning noise nuisance from rowdy neighbours, to thank VPRA for their help with regards to Diary Sheets and contacts with Tristar Homes. However it seems the situation in the area has grown worse. Residents admit to not having contacted police at all times but ten pages of diary sheets dealing with ASB offences ranging from petty vandalism to threats have been passed to Tristar Homes ASB officer and patch managers, police will also be informed.
Remember you are doing yourself and Neighbourhood a service by reporting every incident of ASB.
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11.08.2009 Redcar Road Update
Reply from CFYA about the pot holes in Redcar Road states they should be repaired by the end of this week. Good news for motorists.
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10.08.2009 Damaged Pavement
Thanks to quick reporting by VPRA over the weekend the hole in the corner of Northumberland Road and Thornaby Road left when bollard was knocked down was filled and made safe this morning.Thanks to CFYA for the quick work.
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10.08.2009 Park Fences
The Youth Offending service are still working along the fences on Thorntree Road, slow but sure they have nearly finished the first section up to the gates.
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10/08/2009 Planning Applications (09/1859/COU)
There is a planning application with SBC for a change of use for the empty shop under the Barbers on Thornaby Road /Laburnum Avenue corner. Change of use is from A1 to A5 for a Hot Food Takeaway with alterations to side and rear of the shop. VPRA have been approached by a number of local residents to see if we can help stop this. Residents can add their comments and objections or agreement via the SBC Planning Portal.
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09/08/2009 Village Park
Over the past six months we have been trying to get small a BMX area put into the park near to the old Parkview home fence area.
For a number of reasons this was put on hold but we are asking to see if we can get this moving as a matter of urgency. Children are actually using the the raised shrub area as a BMX jumps area and has become dangerous for both themselves and park users passing by along the footpaths near the bowls club.
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09/08/2009 Redcar Road
VPRA approached this morning by resident’s asking when the deep potholes will be repaired especially as Fordy Grove has had block paving laid. The latest we had from John Walker of SBC Highways was the repairs are imminent, the holes have been re marked ready for the contractors.We have contacted CFYA again today by e mail to get an update and will post it here as soon as received.
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09.08.2009 Sundial Cottage
Update on the repairs to the Sundial have been taking place and it is now looking good.
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08.08.2009 Village Park
Visited the park mid afternoon and was heartened to see so many people using the place.
A full blooded 5 a side game with youngsters on the grass 5 aside pitch, another game with adults in the Muga. families in the play area, bowls competition in the bowls club, a game of cricket on the maim grass area along with a couple of families playing rounders with their children. Add to this families using the play equipment and play trail it was quite a busy afternoon.
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08.08.2009 Green Thumbs
Out again today taking some more pictures of nominations and re visiting some of the earlier homes visited to see if there is any change.
There are so many colourful gardens is such a small area it is a credit to all concerned.
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07.08.2009 Fordy Grove
Checked out Fordy Grove new block paving now it has time to settle. Everything looks fine although ironically there are less cars actually parking on the block areas than used to on the grass verges.
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05.08.2009 Village Park
Contacted today by Beckfields FC who have been told by SBC that they have not been allocated a place using the park for next season. We may have had a few run ins with Beckfields and other teams using the park last season but VPRA have not blocked their use of the park. As we have told Beckfields reps they were better than the other teams once the early problems were ironed out.Problems at the last game of the season were beyond their control due to the visiting team arriving late and parking in the wrong place causing problems. Our report in the May blog was not very clear and apologies to the lads from Beckfields if it came across as they were the problem. SBC have allocated the park to another team and we have asked who this is and also for Beckfields to be re instated.
Hopefully SBC will see sense and we can get on and have a meeting with VPRA and Beckfields to iron out any problems and misunderstandings before they escalate.
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03.08.2009 Green Thumbs
Because of the very wet weather in July we have extended entries in our Green Thumbs competition until 17/08/2009 to allow some of the regular entrants to get their gardens in shape. Most of the gardens have been photographed and will be reviewed and photographed again over the next two weekends.
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02.08.2009 USB Stick Warning
If you obtained any of the free USB sticks at Yorkshire Day that were being given away at the ASDA tent please take care if giving them to children to use. They are promotional sticks with a small cd link embedded advertising Bruno, the rest of the stick is good to use for storage etc. At the moment we have not been able to find anything that deletes this partition but you can disable it on your computer. The ladies from ASDA were unaware of the link and its subsequent content on the NOW website that its linked to.
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01.08.2009 Yorkshire Day
VPRA were invited to attend today’s Yorkshire Day event hosted by Thornaby Town Council. It was nice to actually attend an event and be able to take part rather than do the running around organising things.
The weather was not the best with steady rain from the start putting off the visitors. We used our new pro gazebo tent and decked it out in our new colours of Green and Yellow. It was also good to see most of our extended committee able to make the event all wearing their new VPRA polo shirts.
We had our usual displays of what’s happening in the area and future plans for the Village Park fences and gates plus our VPRA tombola. New for today was the use of our new VPRA laptop we won in SRCGA raffle. We had Power Point presentations all about the VPRA and services we can help with and also the new look of the Village Park with the Muga and new Play Trail.
Thornaby Town Mayor Cllr. Geoff Green read the Yorkshire Declaration and presented the prizes for the children’s sports that were done as the rain stopped.
A number of groups were in attendance including Tristar who provided the generator, face painters and sound system and the manager for Thornaby, Grahame French to look after it. South Thornaby Churches provided the teas and refreshments and there were stalls from St.John Ambulance, Friends of Bader Schools, Asda Thornaby, Yorkshire Ridings and Remembering Thornaby.
Attractions were provided By the Yorkshire Regiment Inflatable Assault Course, a bouncy castle, small display by Stockton Museums Service about Thornaby Royal Charter Day, Fire and Rescue Water Rescue section, a children’s entertainer and brass band.
The only downside apart from the weather was a small problem with four youths who decided to mess about on the bouncy castle but were soon stopped when the operator switched it off and two PCSO`s intervened.
We also had the visit of three of our local PCSO`s and the use of Dave Snowden from CFYA for the day
plus Roger our Village ward councillor who never stopped working and organising all day. Picture Below shows Roger wondering what to do next.
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