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The VPRA News Blog
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Your VPRA at work reports for July 2008
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31.07.2008 VPRA & Tristar Fun Day
Held in The Village Park Thornaby and a massive success it was too.
An estimated footfall passing through of over 500 people. The day was begun in glorious sunshine with rain only starting to fall as people were packing away. The VPRA stall sought opinions from residents about the future of the park. Having previously won public approval for stage 2 of the renovation of the park stage three will include many features including seating and dozens of new activities for young people across the age range. The final choices will be publicised after a summer long consultation period.
There will also be facilities in place for older residents including special seating which will allow
wheel chair users to sit side by side non wheel chair users in vandal proof comfort.
The fun day also saw Freda the Frog, Tristar Timmy and lots more beside.
Big thank you the the marvellous team in the Tristar Thornaby office for working harder than anyone else to
make this all work.
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29.07.2008 Communities in Bloom
VPRA rep attended the meet and greet with the In Bloom judges and council officials. A very pleasant evening in Ropner Park and some very progressive talk about new planting for Thornaby.
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28.07.2008 Communities in Bloom
VPRA met the judges for the international Community in Bloom awards, one from Canada and one from London. The judges were presented with 20 page booklet about the VPRA, our area and the projects the group are involved with. They expressed a great deal of interest in the way the group was working to draw different strands of the community together. The VPRA were also invited to attend the celebratory event in Ropner Park later this week and to talk with other organisations about the work they do.
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28.07.2008 Footballers Mess
Complaints from residents passed on to CFYA about the mess left by a football training session. Teams are to be told that if they do not respect the park they will be excluded from it.
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27.07.2008 Guerrilla Weeders
The VPRA Guerrilla Gardeners were out this afternoon weeding around St. Peters Church in preperation for the Community in Bloom visit on Monday.
They also used the time to plan for winter and next years summer planting further up to Basselton lane.
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26.07.2008 Welcome
To Michelle our new Police Support Officer who started officially in our area this week.,
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25.07.2008
A gang of some thirty youths of both sexes were reported to the Police in Thornaby tonight as they gathered
around St Peter ad Vincula on the Green. These youths were drinking alcohol on the green and using the church as a urinal.
This unacceptable behaviour was reported to the police who responded within 15 minutes. The youths were dispersed, having thrown bottles of Vodka, cider and all manner of alcohol into near by bushes on the arrival of the police. However, shortly after they returned and the drunkenness began again.
Later that evening in an event described as being unrelated by local police, an attack took place involving a knife on the Black Bobbies nature reserve. This can not be detailed further due to ongoing police investigation. However, the VPRA are to seek a meeting with the police about this situation as it is but the latest in a series of unacceptable events which are dragging our area down..
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25.07.2008
VPRA contacted by Stockton Borough Council about an event organised by Leisure and Sports Development,
As part of the Stepping Out in Stockton Campaign, a health walk is being held on August 24th, in Preston Park,
as part of the Stockton Summer Show. Walking is set to play a bigger role in creating a healthier nation. Described by health experts as 'almost perfect exercise', walking requires no equipment or expense and is the ideal way for most people to become more active. Seven out of every ten people in this country are not physically active enough to benefit their health!
You are invited to go along and see for yourself.
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24.07.2008
VPRA met with Stockton Residents and Community Groups association and representatives from the
Thornaby and Yarm Rotary Club towards arranging funding for some days out on the river for children in our area.
The gentlemen were very interested in the VPRA and its work and were very positive in their view of the project which would take children from the area fishing on the Community Barge, whilst travelling from Stockton to Preston Park and back. A result one way or the other is expected shortly.
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23.07.2008 Drugs
VPRA contacted by our local police concerning a new drug problem which has struck our area, the use of Valium (also known as as diazepam)as a recreational drug. Our local police are extremely concerned about this as Valium is a dangerous, potentially lethal drug which can have extreme effects on some people. Valium is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
It also increases the effects of alcohol which, in some instances has been cited as the reason for some people
using it. However, Valium is habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for.
It is particularly worth noting that the drug can cause potentially lethal results for sufferers of
- glaucoma;
- asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;
- kidney or liver disease;
- epilepsy or other seizure disorder.
- It can also cause birth defects in pregnant mothers or breast feeding mothers too.
It is worth remembering that such medication, indeed, all prescription medication, should never be shared with another person, This is especially the case with Valium and similar medication due to the possible lethal result. However, people caught in possession of or using Valium not prescribed for them also run the risk of being arrested and a criminal record for so doing. It is illegal to sell Valium, even if it is your prescription you are selling and equally illegal to buy or use it.
Any information about people involved with the use of , or sale of this substance should contact Thornaby Police
on 01642 302938 or 01642 326326
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23.07.2008 Planning
VPRA representatives and residents attended the SBC planning committee meeting today to voice objections against the plans, put forward by Kube2 for bed sit flats on Martinet Road. Planning officers made known their support for the scheme and the architect gave a robust explanation of why they wanted to build these flats here. However, a VPRA rep and Councillor Mr Mick Eddy spoke against the plans. Cllr Eddy spoke of the manner in which the buildings did not fit in, the impact on services and the need for developers to consider residents views and needs. He also mentioned the impact on the infrastructure in the area.
VPRA objected on the grounds that the flats were alien to the area, intrusive and ill befitting the village identity which pervades in the area and complained of the attitude taken to speaking with residents displayed by the developer's representatives.
Despite recommendations of the Planning Officers, the proposed project was refused. As one resident put it
" That's one for the people"
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22.07.2008 Fun Day
VPRA volunteers meet with the Thornaby Tristar team about the Thornaby Fun day, 31st of July..
Tristar team have excelled themselves by working hard to ensure the event took place. This is the first such venture in the borough to see a resident's group and Tristar working as equal partners to bring about an event. Tristar must be given due credit for the funding of the event and for the publishing of information about the day itself. This will see an opportunity for residents to enjoy the fun and games expected from such events and come into contact with service providers from the council and other agencies.
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19.07.2008- Residents forced to confront the results of Friday's drunken revelry in the area.
Gangs were screaming and throwing bricks and bottles around on the green at 4am Saturday.
Illicit camp sites have been located in Black Bobbies and the police will be informed in the hope of stamping out the abuse of our area. Some of the results pictured below. This is something which the VPRA are committed to working in partnership with SBC officers and Thornaby Police, to stamp out.
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19.07.2008 Guerrilla Gardening
VPRA gardeners out again doing a spot of early morning gardening, using up the last of this years bedding plants.
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18.07.2008 Wall Damage
Tristar contacted about a wall knocked down by a wagon driver on Richardson Road / Holmes Close corner. Witnesses have given statements about the vehicle just driving of after knocking down the wall next to the garages and have been passed on to Tristar along with pictures. Loose bricks have been taken away for safe storage away from young children now the school holidays have started.
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17.07.2008 Allotments Art Work
The finishing touches to the new fencing around Andrews Allotments is now in place.
Well done Jo, Mal, Barry and everyone involved, once they weather in they will set the area off nicely
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15.07.2008, Contacted by Thrive, based in Thornaby to discuss their work to date. They are very keen to work with residents in the VPRA area and are seeking volunteers to help them. Volunteers, contact us via the link above and we will pass info on.
Investigate the work of Thrive at http://www.church-poverty.org.uk/whatwedo/livelihoods/thrive
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14.07.02008 Council Workers Industrial Action
STOCKTON Council expects to be offering only limited services during two days of industrial action by trades unions on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 July.
Some services will operate - particularly those providing essential support to vulnerable people and emergency 'life and limb' cover.
However, the Council is strongly advising anyone intending to contact it or access its services to avoid doing so on Wednesday and Thursday if at all possible. Refuse, recycling and green waste collections are amongst the services affected.
The Council's main switchboard - 393939 - will not be open but a recorded message will give numbers to contact in genuine emergencies. Some Council offices will also close for the day.
The industrial action will NOT affect:
Housing Centres operated by Tristar Homes
Active Life leisure centres run by Tees Active
Forum Theatre
Preston Hall Museum
Stockton Business Centre
Tourist Information Centre
Pre-arranged wedding and other ceremonies
The First Contact numbers for social care service will continue to operate, on
(01642) 527764 from 8.30am-5pm, and the Emergency Duty Team at other times, on
08702 402994.
The strike action will also mean there will be no refuse, recycling or green waste collections on Wednesday and Thursday. As a result, Stockton Council's Care For Your Area Team has revised its collection dates for refuse, recycling or green waste:
Normal Collection Date Revised Collection Date
Wednesday 16 July Friday 18 July
Thursday 17 July Saturday 19 July
Friday 18 July Monday 21 July
From Tuesday 22 July, refuse, recycling or green waste collections will resume on their normal days. Details of the Council's Care For Your Area services are available by calling
(01642) 391959 and further information on all Council services will be updated on its website www.stockton.gov.uk
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13.07.2008 VPRA Green Thumbs 2008
The first nominations for this years competition have been received and photographed. While out taking the pictures a further class was requested for Best Hanging Basket. This will now be added to the categories and nominations are welcome. All pictures taken or received will be put on our own Green Thumbs picture album.
Click here for the first pictures. VPRA Green Thumbs
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12.07.2008 214 Bus to cease.
VPRA reps attended the Stockton on Tees Public Transport Forum at the Swallow Hotel. They were dismayed but not shocked that Arriva are to cease the 214 service in August. Questions were asked if the recently re routed 17A service could pick up the slack but were told the numbers using the service along Thornaby Road did not make it a viable option. This was challenged and Arriva were asked to go away and check their figures and revert to VPRA reps. VPRA secretary is to contact EAPB and EA Highways to request a meeting for Thornaby and Ingelby Barwick people to discus the problems. This was requested and promised at the May meeting also but so far has not been mentioned. If a meeting is not forthcoming before the next EA Highways meeting then VPRA will organise its own.
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11.07.2008 Britain in Bloom
VPRA invited to have tea with the Britain in Bloom judges, as they toured the area, in recognition of the work the group has put in towards keeping the area clean and "flowered up". Later in the summer judges will return to evaluate the VPRA neighbourhood entry and as a build up to the group's entry in the international Communities in Bloom. Remember, it's not too late to join in or nominate someone for a VPRA Green Thumb Award, which could bring them into the overall portfolio for the judges and will automatically put them forward for entry into the Care For Your Area awards.
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09.07.2008 In Bloom
Despite the heavy evening rain the main Jolly Farmers flower bed was weeded and tidied ahead of the Britain in Bloom judges visit this Friday
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08.07.2008 VPRA Meeting.
The latest bi monthly VPRA meeting took place with a good attendance. Agenda items included, planning applications, Parkview Home, Anti Social Behaviour around Thorntree Shops and St Peters Church, plans for the Village Park Thanks to our two Support officers Rob and Jack for putting up with two hours of complaints. .
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06.07.2008 Lampost Planting
Another couple of lamposts planted with marigolds around the bases to add to the brighten up the area campaign for Britain in Bloom
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05.07.2008 Village in Bloom Aid
VPRA volunteers respond to requests for assistance by neighbours of an elderly resident in our area. The Lady in question suffers an illness which makes it impossible to care for the garden herself. It had become overgrown and home for vermin.
To make matters worse one neighbour had threatened to take her to court to make her get the garden cut back, despite her lacking the finances to pay for it to be done. The VPRA contacted our friends at Care For Your Area, Jamie McCann, Nigel Clark and Maurice Wallace, who were able to help us once again.
This week a VPRA volunteer was given training to use the various necessary tools, vis CFYA training instructor Norman Springer, along with the strict safe working training and the petrol strimmers. petrol lawn mower and grass blower(along with all safety equipment were loaned to the group. The garden is not going to win prizes but it is 110% better than it was and the rats have been forced to find other places to live... and the neighbour wont have to take the old lady to court.
And as the rains came the job was done
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04.07.2008 Guerilla Gardening VPRA style.
One of our members spent this Friday night out around St.Peters Church planting marigolds around the old stone and the signposts. Only one resident actually questioned what was being done and once she was told it was to enhance the Britain in Bloom entry she was only too happy to see this and more.
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02.07.2008 Training Day.
CFYA are training VPRA volunteers in the use of large petrol strimmers to allow VPRA to tidy residents overgrown gardens on the route of the Britain in Bloom drive.
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02.07.2008 Care For Your Area.
Following requests from VPRA on behalf of residents, CFYA are to have their countryside wardens attend Horseshoe Bend and strim the overgrown pathways. Another positive response from our friends at CFYA
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01.07.2008 Guerrilla Gardening
VPRA join up with other gardeners around the world to trade ideas for planting in open spaces. Website and forum
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