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.

The VPRA News Blog

Your VPRA at work reports for February 2009

TS17 Evening Gazette RSS feed now on Local Press Page

 Click here for Bin and Recycle Collection Days

27/02/2009 Fly Tipping

Complaints from residents in Lilac Avenue about neighbours tipping rubbish and old furniture into the electricity sub station area on Park Road. The neighbours were disgusted at the behaviour. The Council and other parties have been contacted. The residents making the complaint could not believe their neighbours believed they had a right to tip waste like this. The VPRA agree.
 

26/02/2009 Village Park Update

The fences round the old 5 a side/tennis courts have been dismantled and taken away, some to be recycled for other projects in the area. The old white goal posts and the “teen shelters” have been dismantled and taken away for storage ready to be used at a later date in the park.

The new trail round the park is taking shape with the final side now dug out and hardcore laid.

25/02/2009 Allotment Update

Community Payback have begun rotovating the plots on Andrews Allotments. Looks like a slow job as there was a lot of rubbish left on the site and was overgrown with brambles.

24/02/2009 Recycling - Garden Tips

Instead of sending your plastic pop and beer bottles to the tip why not use them in the garden during the spring then recycle them later.

Cut a bottle in half and you have two mini cloches to protect seedlings from the weather. If you remove the cap then the top half even has built-in ventilation for older seedlings. A ring of plastic from a bottle can also be used to discourage slugs and snails from attacking seedlings, particularly if you put a line of grease or copper tape around the top.

Other ways they can be used are:-                                                                                                         Cut in half and use the top as a  funnel, use the bottom half as a compost scoop or cut the bottles into strips and use as labels.

Another useful tip is to re use your large empty coffee jars as mini greenhouses. Put a small plant pot into the lid, put in your cutting and water, screw the bottle back on and stand in your greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill. This method is especially good with Surfinia`s and you can propagate your own plants taken from the nipped out leaf shoots.  

22/02/2009 Village In Bloom

A lot of the bulbs planted last Autumn are now coming through and some cases actually flowering.

A lot of the  bulbs planted in the last 3 years are through and growing well. The area will soon be awash with colour.

One particular spot which we are particularly pleased with is near the Village Club

21/02/2009  Village Park Update

Work goes on to make OUR Village Park a better place for families and the whole community. The
last few days have seen the pin kerbs laid ready for the Tarmac which will make the Play Trail path spring up out of the grass and mud. Soon, we will see the MUGA become a focus for work ready for the young people of the area .
There is also seating planned for older residents and a whole new set of gates ready to secure OUR Village Park for the whole community. The Village park may have been the last of Thornaby's Parks to receive the any work to make it a better place, but it is the only park in the area which residents have had to do the work obtaining funding.

20/02/2009 Allotment Update

Andrews Allotments Plot is now taking shape with the plots marked out. A central path will run down the middle of the plot and have 10 gardens either side and a parking area at the top. All of the gardens will have a small internal dividing fence and their own access gates from the central path. Any queries regarding your applications please contact Barry Hunter at CFYA. 

20/02/2009 Sherwood Road Bungalows.

VPRA rep visited the area following on from discussions with Tristar regarding lighting in the area.       After discussions with a couple of available residents it appears their problems would be solved by the erection of a small section of fence that would stop people taking short cuts from Trenchard avenue to the area near the Airman’s Statue. Details are to be passed on to Tristar  

19/02/2009 Town Centre Market

During a visit to Tristar`s new office in the New Town Centre, VPRA reps were introduced to Oliver the new Town Centre Manager. A question he was keen for comments on is about the Market. Are people happy with the traders driving vans and trailers on the new St. Peters Square? if you have a comment on this please contact the VPRA and we will pass them on. There is no phone or e mail in his office yet so we have been asked to forward comments.

17/02/2009 Allotments Update

Pegs have now been put in to mark out the boundaries for the new allotments. Our Allotments rep is obtaining more information as to when the first gardens will be let. As of today none have been allocated yet.  

16/02/2009 Thornaby Road

The hole reported on Thornaby road was repaired first thing this morning. This was actually repaired within the first two hours of the working day. Thanks to CFYA for the swift action as always.

16/02/2009 Thornaby Town Centre

The town centre re build is now going along at a quick pace. The first phase of shops that opened before Christmas are soon to be joined by phase two with New Look, Peacocks , Bon Marche, Wilkinsons, Home Bargains and the already open Card Factory. Other new leases are due to be added soon.

Spotted this little gem that has gone up this weekend

15.02.2009 Thornaby Road

VPRA rep contacted SBC Highways about the state of the tarmac on Thornaby Road between the Jolly Farmers and Laburnum Avenue. The hole was getting bigger with every vehicle that hit it.

14/02/2009 In Bloom 2009

The first of this years spring bulbs are starting to show. These Crocus  have been out for over a week now near the Old Thornaby Social Club

13/02/2009 Park Update

The new equipment, funding for which was raised by the VPRA, is getting closer to installation
with SBC's Tony Raine visiting the site to discuss the final phase on installation. Mr Raine, who has worked closely with the VPRA and has amended plans to suit residents, confirmed today that the work on Multi Use Games Area will commence on the 23rd Fed. A health and safety meeting will take place, on site, on the 18th, and will include the landscape architects and contractors. Park Plans

It is hoped that the tarmac and rubble from the old tennis court can be recycled into paths for the new allotments on Andrews. 

13/02/2009 Dog Bin update

After discussions with CFYA we are to get two new bins, one of Redcar Road and one at Holmes Close at the entrance to the green. CFYA dog wardens are to meet with VPRA reps next week to view the worst areas for dog fouling.

12/02/2009 Park Update from Parkie

Yesterday, work began on the construction of the play trail around the perimeter of the Village Park, and the trench which will form the foundation of the path was cut into the ground. This is the first new path in the park and will soon be followed by the play equipment which will stand around the park's perimeter.
Top marks to the lads on site and from SBC who have been on site regardless of the weather always finding something which needs doing.
 

11/02/2009  Dog Bins

Contacted CFYA to try and obtain a Dog bin along Redcar Road. The area is suffering from dog owners not picking up after their dogs and although there are plenty of anti fouling signs, dog owners are not taking any notice. Some have actually said if there was a bin nearby then they would pick up.

10/02/2009 Park Update from Parkie

Work is ongoing even though the weather is not very good, the old path between the Tennis Court and the Bowling Green has been dug out and is to be filled with soil and seeded.

10/02/2009 Bus Passes

VPRA contacted SBC regarding rumours that are being spread around about the “Free Pensioners Bus Pass” having restrictions put on them from April. reply received  by return.

Dear Mr. (VPRA)

Negotiations with the bus operators on payments for concessionary travel for 2009/10 are still ongoing and we will not know the outcome until early March. The council will need to decide whether ot not to agree any negotiated payments and the basis on which these are made. Negotiations also take place jointly with Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Redcar councils, so their agreement is needed as well.

At present there are no plans to introduce any restrictions but this is a decision that will have to be taken by the councils next month.

09/02/2009 SBC Greenspaces

Request from SBC to help publicise the following drop in sessions.

HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT THE BOROUGH’S GREENSPACES AND COUNTRYSIDE

Work has started on a new strategy for the Borough’s Green Infrastructure.

This includes parks, allotments, greenspaces, trees, woodlands, nature reserves, streams, ponds, country parks, routes for cycling, walking and horse-riding, play spaces and much more.

Now it’s your chance to tell us what you think. 

Please come along to any of the following ‘drop-in’ sessions to share your views.

Anyone who cannot attend one of these sessions will still be able to comment by going to the Countryside and Greenspace section of the Council’s website:

www.stockton.gov.uk/countrysideandgreenspace

Or can contact the Countryside and Greenspace Team direct:

Tel: 01642 526871
Email: countrysideandgreenspace@stockton.gov.uk

08.02.2009 Village Wildlife.

Following on from recent stories of swans and foxes in the Village area we now have a seal which seems to have made its home in the river with sightings from the Surtees Bridge and up river as far as the Horseshoe Bend.

An angler was seen to throw a bottle at the seal today while it was rolling about in the water. He was soon chastised by other anglers and dog walkers.It will be interesting to hear how the animal, which scared ducks into flight as it blew air out through its nostrils, got upriver especially above the Barrage. Info and ideas, especially pictures are most welcome via the  VPRA e mail address

07.02.2009 Urban Foxes

A growing number of fox sightings have been reported through the area. There has always been a number of foxes on the Village Green and the Nature Reserves of Black Bobbies and Horseshoe Bend but recently there have been a number of sightings around Redcar Road, The Black Path and Thorntree Road. Easy feeding  where people have thrown away their late night takeaways or where food is put out in gardens for the birds during the cold spells.

06/02/2009 Bus Fares. Good and Bad News

Bad news from Arriva is that some bus fares go up on Sunday 8/02/2009 by 5p.

Good news from Arriva is the single stage fares actually drop to a flat rate 50p. This means Thornaby Town Centre to Thorntree shops drops to 50p from 95p. It also means that it is possible to save money on double stage journeys by paying the first stage then paying again when you get to the second stage start. For example Thorntree Shops to Thornaby Station will be £1.20 but if you pay the 50p to he Westbury then the 50p from the Westbury to the Station stop you save 20p. Similarly Thorntree to the Spitfire will be £1-20 so pay to the Waterboard (50p) then pay again to the Spitfire, saves 20 p again.

05.02.2009 Park Update from our “Park Ranger”

Work clearing the paths continued today even though it has snowed best part of the day. They also removed the steps near to the Tennis Court.

04.02.2009 Park Update from our “Park Ranger”

Workmen have today being clearing back the overgrown grass around the paths which have not been done for a number of years. They are doing a sterling job keeping the mess to an acceptable minimum. As you can see in the pictures they have recovered a lot of path space.

04.02.2009 SWAN UPDATE

 The Village Swan returned again at lunch time today, this time settling on the small area of Green
opposite St Peter's Church. Once again, PCSO  Michelle Legg stepped in to ensure the bird stayed away from the road before locals took over. Mark Berry, of SBC Animal Welfare Unit spoke to VPRA tonight to explain what would be happening. Both SBC and the RSPCA thought it best to leave the bird alone, as it was still able to fly. However, if it was still in the area tomorrow the RSPCA will be working with Mark's team to take the bird further afield, to another sanctuary. meantime, well done Michelle
Legg, Mark Berry and his team and of course residents who protected the bird from itself

04.02.2009 BUSTING THE CREDIT CRUNCH EVENT

VPRA members are invited to a meeting by SBC and SRCGA, details below.

BUSTING THE CREDIT CRUNCH EVENT
TUESDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2009
AT STOCKTON PARISH CHURCH
2PM - 7PM

The Credit Crunch is affecting everyone including businesses, families and
individuals.

If you are worried about how the credit crunch might affect you or want to
find out more about how the Council and its partner agencies might be able
to help please come along.

You can drop in any time between 2pm and 7pm on the day and talk to
representatives from agencies including Tees Credit Union, Housing Services,
Stockton District Information Advice, Welfare Rights, Tristar Homes and many
more.

You will be able to find information and advice on;
 a.. benefits
 b.. energy
 c.. housing
 d.. money and work
Don't suffer in silence, there's help available, so please come along on the
day.

Refreshments will be available throughout the day and a crèche can be
arranged with prior notification.

For more information or to arrange crèche facilities please call Kelly Smith
from Stockton Council's Partnership and Engagement Team on 01642 526032 or
email kelly.smith@stockton.gov.uk


 

03.02.2009 Park Update from our “Park Ranger”

Today workmen were seen in the park digging trenches and small areas around the footpaths in the park then filling in with tarmac After contacting Tony Raine it was discovered that they were doing this to estimate the thickness of the tarmac. in preparation to renewing the footpaths. All of the holes have been filled in as a temporary measure and the paths will be replaced or repaired once the new pathway is laid. 

03.02.2009 Swan Update

Late last evening the swan mentioned yesterday was caught outside the Village Club and taken to Stockton and released into the Tees near the Mecca Bingo Hall. Strangely enough it has returned to the same place today.
PCSO Michelle Legg alerted the RSPCA and is guarding the bird awaiting their arrival at time of writing. SBC Animal welfare have also been contacted.

 WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE NEWS

Teatime update. The swan has again been captured by the RSPCA, thanks to the work of PCSO Micelle Legg, and placed back in a safe environment for now.
 

03.02.2009 TASC Meeting

E mail received from Tracy at SRCGA about a meeting they are brokering for TASC and Thornaby Residents Groups.

A meeting date and time has been arranged with Lesley Huitson form TASC to meet Monday 23^rd February, 6:30pm at High Flyers on Tedder Avenue.

02.02.2009 Bad Weather

Sad victim of the bad weather today was a swan brought down on Holmes Close. Residents
contacted the RSPCA, but containing the bird, an adult male, was difficult due to it's obvious desire
not to be "contained". They can give a nasty knock with their bill, and as this bird was snapping and biting at anything it could residents backed off. The residents then followed it towards the trees around the green but it managed to loose them.

 

02.02.2009 Training Invite

An invite to training  sessions from Greg Brown of Thrive.

RE: Training from Barack Obama's Mentor

I'm writing with an invite to some training we're running in Thornaby.  The short course will cover a series of practical workshops which make up a powerful and accessible way of developing leadership and achieving change, called Community Organising.  The approach has famously been used by Barack Obama in his earlier work in Chicago and recently to mobilise people for his election success.  Thrive will deliver this training in partnership with the Gamaliel Foundation - one of the biggest broad based organising foundations in the US. We will be joined by Gregory Galluzzo, an executive director of Gamaliel and former mentor of President Obama.

This training normally takes 5-7 days, but we're going to run it over a shorter timeframe  - 1 full day and two half days: Weds 4 March 5.30-8.30 pm, Thursday 5 March all day, Friday 5 March 9.00am - 1.00pm

I'd warmly encourage to attend this event, in the interests of yourselves, your own organisation and ours.  If there are barriers (cost/ childcare / travel) which prevent you or someone you have in mind from being able to attend,   please let us know and we'll do our best to make suitable arrangements so people can benefit from this important event.  Greg Brown.
 

02.02.2009 Village Park Update

Despite awful weather conditions and in order to keep the plans on schedule, Care For Your Areas arrived in the Village Park today to start preliminary work on the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) Play Trail and new paths.
VPRA will be keeping you up to date with the work as you would expect. When the park is finished, watch this space for the next project thought up by local residents.
 

02.02.2009 Mayors Hospitality Evening.

The Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Mt John Fletcher has written to the VPRA management Committee to invite the group to send representatives to his annual evening of hospitality. This event is organised to give recognition to good work of the various residents groups and associations across the whole of the Borough. This event will be held in early March

01.02.2009 IT Help Available.

VPRA are again working in liaison with a local college to organise free IT  help for groups and organisations from Thornaby and across the borough. Last year a number of organisations benefited from this annual joint effort including Thornaby based Thrive and the Destiny Centre in Norton. Any legitimate organisation is able to contact the VPRA should they feel they need help. Organisations must be community and resident focused, constituted and be open to public scrutiny.

01.02.2009 Allotments Update

Update from our rep on the allotments group committee. Andrews site is still being cleared by the probation service. TAG have applied for funding for internal fencing ,depending on the result of this funding the plots will be given first come first served. There has been no plots let to date.
TAG have had discussions at their meetings about self management of the allotment site. A possible idea was to try self management of Andrews first. They will be having drop in sessions as soon as possible to see what the plot holders think. There will be notices put up on the site giving any details.
 

01.02.2009 Eyes and Ears

Why not become more involved with the VPRA, become the Eyes and Ears for your street. Contact the VPRA by e mail or come along to our February meeting.(Details to be posted on this blog).More information on the Village Voice page.

01.02.2009 Village Park Works

Cabins are now on site for the start of work on 02/02/2009.

Neighbourhood Police

Phone 302930