16/01/2006
Coventry NDC is kicking off the New Year with a New Director and he's already making quite an impact.
It's all change for the midlands based NDC, whose plans for the area include one of the most ambitious community redevelopments in the country.
New Director, Afzal Hussain, joined Coventry at the end of 2005, from Aston Pride NDC in Birmingham. And within only weeks Coventry NDC is set for a new structure, a new Mixed Communities initiative for the area and a new leisure centre.
Afzal said, "These are exciting times for everyone involved with Coventry NDC, especially local residents who will benefit from our bold plans to redevelop the area. We are finalising plans to secure some £350m of investment and create 3,000 new homes. Our efforts are being recognised both locally and nationally with the ODPM designating the NDC area as a Mixed Communities demonstration scheme."
"We are also well underway with our plans to build a brand new £9million leisure centre for the area, which will really kick-start our big development plans and provide a real focal point for the community."
One of Afzal's key goals is to ensure that local residents, groups and businesses fully benefit from the redevelopment plans. He added " We will be putting in place a comprehensive succession strategy to ensure that we leave behind a real legacy for future generations and that the benefits of regeneration continue to flow well beyond the life of the NDC."
As well as promoting the successes Coventry NDC are enjoying at the moment, there is still a lot more Afzal wants to bring to the people of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore - and that really is a better future.
Watch this space…!
20/01/2006
Brian Brain, Terry Teeth, Larry Liver and Herman Heart are just a few of the primary school-age stars of a campaign to encourage children to drink more water at school.
The performing body parts, all played by school children at Moat House school, are the idea of NDC Oral Health Promotion Officer, Sue Smith, and Water in Schools Senior School Health Assistant, Karen Wagstaff. “We have launched a “Water in Schools” project to encourage school children to drink more water, and this seemed like a great way to promote it”, said Karen.
In full costume, the body-parts will be using drama, songs and poems to act out watery health benefits at a health-focused school assembly on Tuesday 24th January.
When not stage-directing vital organs, Sue’s role combines working for the local Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Coventry New Deal for Communities (NDC) the community-led initiative to regenerate the area of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore. “While water is very important for general well-being, it also plays a great part in the health of our mouths. It promotes healthy skin and fresh breath, with no calories and no sugar.”
NDC is funding water bottles for school children in the region, combined with water coolers around school. Sue said: “We have chosen to use Aqua Aid water for Moat House as it means that this project will benefit not only our local school children, but it raises money for well-building in the 3rd World.”
The project has started at Moat House School, and will move to the other schools in the area soon.
13/01/2006
Local residents are being urged to take part in a great tree-planting ceremony this Sunday (15th Jan) in Deedmore.
The tree-planting is just part of major environmental improvements planned by Coventry New Deal for Communities (NDC), the community-led initiative to regenerate the areas of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore.
The well-known environmental volunteering charity, BTCV, are working with NDC on this project and will be there on Sunday to show residents how to plant their trees.
“400 trees will be planted to the south of Eburne Road, east of the river, to improve the overall look of the area” said James Ogle, who is managing the project from the NDC offices on Hillmorton Road, Wood End. “Planting will start at around 10am, and will go on until all the trees are planted. Everyone is welcome to help and people are welcome to stay for as long as they wish, and everyone who plants a tree will receive a certificate.”
For further information about the tree planting contact James Ogle at NDC on 02476 622964.
03/02/2006
Awards for the best in architectural design will be handed out to the winners of this years Coventry Design Awards at a special ceremony this Friday 3 February 2006.
The awards celebrate all that's good in architectural and landscape design and are held every two years. Previous winners have included Manor House Drive Apartments, Cathedral Lighting and the Lower Precinct
The awards are split into six categories - Accessibility, Environmental Improvement, Lighting, New Building, Renovation and Household Extension. This year 45 nominations were received and the competition has been very stiff in most of the categories but especially in the New Building category.
The judging panel, made up of the great and the good of building design and appreciation in the city, spent a very long day judging the 19 projects that made it to the final. They included Moat House Community Primary School and Swanswell Point Mental Health Resource Centre under the New Build category and Turbine Hall and Electric Wharf and the Herbert Art Gallery under the Renovation category. Into the evening the judges also looked at two lighting schemes one in Millennium square and one at the new BBC Coventry and Warwickshire building in Priory Place.
The judging panel which included Councillor Dave Arrowsmith champion of regeneration and design in the city, Dhiran Vagdia Chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Society of Chartered Architects, Keith Draper - Chair of the Coventry Society, John Prevc an architect from the Coventry Design Forum and James Russell form the city council eventually picked the winners. They are:
Accessibility - Award to Herbert Art Gallery and Museum Environmental Improvement - Award to University Square, Priory Place and commendation to Daimler Square, Daimler Green Lighting - Award to Millennium Place New Building - Award to Moat House Community Primary School and commendation to Swanswell Point, Mental Health Resource Centre Renovation - Award to Electric Wharf Turbine Hall Household Extension - no award or commendation given
In addition, a special award was given to the Phoenix Project - Millennium Place and Priory Place. Several of the schemes short listed this time formed part of this overall project and the judges felt this was a nationally important and innovative landmark project where several good quality individual projects combined together to make excellent places.
Councillor Dave Arrowsmith, Cabinet Member for Urban Regeneration and Regional Planning said,
"I am delighted that our job as judges was so tough. Clearly that means that the design and build standards in the city are getting better and better each year. I believe the quality of the built environment that people live and work in makes a positive contribution to the way people feel about their city and the standard here seems to get higher and higher every year.
I was especially pleased to award first prize in the new build category to Moathouse Primary School. The environment in which children learn should be stimulating, exciting and have a real buzz and the new school certainly has all of these elements in abundance. The children take great pleasure in their new surroundings and the staff say they are practical to - so a success all round.
This was the second year that Dhiran Vagdia Chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Society of Chartered Architects has taken part in the judging and he said,
"The Coventry Design Awards are important because they help us to celebrate all that is good about the built environment in Coventry. They help to draw attention to the importance of good architectural design in the city and there is certainly a lot to admire at the moment.
Buildings that work with their surroundings and challenge and stimulate us at the same time are worthy of celebration and this year there was so much that impressed us we found it hard to pick overall winners." The 19 finalists were: Accessibility
Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
Jardine Crescent Square
Environmental
Daimler Square, Daimler Green
Improvement Millennium Square
University Square, Priory Street
University of Warwick Campus Landscaping, University Road
Lighting
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire unit, Priory Place
Millennium Square
New Building
Clinical Science Building, Walsgrave Hospital
Maths Block, University of Warwick Campus
‘Swanswell Point’, Mental Health Resource Centre, Stoney Stanton Road
Moat House Community Primary School, Deedmore Road
Priory Place
Ricoh Arena
Renovation
Electric Wharf Turbine Hall, Sandy Lane
Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Bayley Lane
Priory Undercrofts, Priory Place
Transport Museum, Millennium Place
06/02/2006
PARENTS in the New Deal for Communities area of Coventry are being encouraged to dump the dummy and chat to their children as part of week of events aimed at improving child development.
Sue Smith, the NDC Oral Health Promotion Officer and Jane Muffett, Speech and Language Therapist, are promoting 'Chatterbox Week' at baby clinics in the NDC area this week.
“Parents are already coming in to the baby clinic so while they are waiting to be seen, they can start to reap the benefits of baby banter!” said Jane. “We want to raise the awareness of how important it is to communicate with babies and children even at a very young age. It’s never too young to start!”
Sue Smith said: “My aim is to encourage parents to dump the dummy and start chatting with their child.
“Keeping the dummy in during daytime can restrict the movement of the tongue and mouth muscles, which could have an affect on normal speech development."
The NDC chatterbox promotions are being held at:
- Wood End Community Centre, Hillmorton Rd - 9.30-11.30am, Tues 7 Feb
- Henley Green Community Centre, Wyken Croft - 9.15-11.15am, Thurs 9 Feb
All parents of young children in the area are welcome to attend.
Sue and Jane will be on hand giving information to parents as well as fun-packed goody bags to promote talking. Sue’s role combines working for the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Coventry New Deal for Communities (NDC) the community-led initiative to regenerate the area of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore. She got together with Jane to boost the initiative in the NDC area.
01/02/2006
Two rashers of bacon, eggs, sausage, a splash of crime reduction, a portion of housing concerns and a dollop of education or employment - that's what's on the menu down at NDC!
Their weekly Big Breakfast Club launches on Tuesday (7 February) providing an egg-cellent chance for local residents to enjoy a hearty breakfast before choosing the burning issues to discuss.
Each month people will be able to tuck into a free breakfast, while other weeks toast will be available at the Club, organised by Coventry New Deal for Communities.
Faheem Sheikh, NDC Community Development Officer, who has set up the Club said, "Our message to residents is it's your area, your view, your say! We hope the word will spread that people can choose what issues are important to them, such as employment, housing or crime.
"We will then invite officers from the council and other agencies to give information and advice on issues raised or we can feed back residents' concerns to organisations who will be able to help resolve them."
Joan Dyke, a local resident, added, "I'm looking forward to going along as it's great to have the chance to be able to chat about what's really important to the area."
The NDC Big Breakfast Club will meet every Tuesday from 10am - 12noon at Wood End Community Centre, Hillmorton Road.
For more information, people can contact Ruth or Faheem at NDC on 024 7662 2964.
13/02/2006
Young sports fans living in the New Deal for Communities area of Coventry are in for a treat this Friday, 17th February, when local footie star Gez Murphy officially opens their brand new multi use games area.
The multi use games area (nicknamed MUGA) is based just off Broad Park Road in Henley Green and has been paid for by Coventry New Deal for Communities (NDC) - the community-led government initiative to regenerate the areas of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore.
With facilities for football, basketball and a whole range of other activities, the MUGA is just what the young people wanted.
James Ogle, Coventry NDC Environmental Improvements Officer has managed the project and he said, "We have been working with young people in the area to find out what they really needed. It quickly became clear that they were keen on sports, especially football and basketball, yet there was a lack of facilities.
"We have built the MUGA in just over six weeks and are looking forward to the official opening on Friday".
The MUGA is designed to encourage young people in the NDC area to get involved in sporting activities in the evenings and weekends, meet other young people, keep active and eliminate boredom. The MUGA will give young people the confidence to socialise and 'hang out' in a safe setting.
Local footballer of the moment, Gez Murphy, who has recently enjoyed an excellent FA Cup run with Nuneaton Borough and then gone on to win the FA Cup's Player of the second round, is going to be there on Friday to officially open the MUGA. He will also be running sports activities and mini tournaments including 'beat the goalie' and 'shoot the basket'.
Gez, whose day job is Active Communities Officer for the NDC area, has a lot of experience running sports sessions in the area and he is especially pleased to see this new MUGA open. He said, "Having the MUGA in the area means young people will now have the space they need to play sports. It will be the only floodlit sports facility in the area and it is designed and built to a high standard. We hope it will encourage more young people to come along and have a go at a number of different sports".
The launch event being held this Friday 17th February on the MUGA just next to the White Horse pub on Broad Park Road from 10am-3pm, will feature football, basketball and other sports competitions. There will also be a climbing wall, skate park area, medals and trophies as well as signed a Coventry City Football shirt to be won.
There will also be a smaller event taking place on Saturday 18th at Ashorne Close in Wood End, where NDC has also funded a smaller multi use games area. This event will feature sports competitions with medals, trophies and a signed Coventry City Shirt to be won. This event is running from 11am-2pm.
For more information on sports sessions going on in the area or the MUGA launches, call the NDC office in Wood End on 024 7662 2964 or pop in to see them on Hillmorton Road.
13/03/2006
Coventry New Deal for Communities is expecting a further reduction in crime across its four target areas in the North East of the city, thanks to a new campaign being carried out by the Crimestoppers charity. NDC has funded the campaign to work with residents in the Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore areas of Coventry. Cash rewards and guaranteed anonymity are on offer to anyone who gives information about criminals. The initiative is set to see more Coventry people ringing the charity and more burglars, thieves and violent locals being arrested and charged.
The number of burglary and violence victims has been dropping in the NDC area over recent years and 2005’s figures show a reduction of over 6% compared to 2004, that’s 34 fewer victims.
The campaign launch will be at Henley College on Saturday 18 March, featuring a children's football tournament and cheerleading displays.
Over 2,500 homes will also have important postcards dropping through their doors at the end of March telling them about cash rewards if they know who the criminals are. Featuring a young mother who sees something suspicious, the cards encourage locals to help reduce crime in their area by ringing the charity anonymously with information. Radio and bus advertising campaigns will also warn criminals of the campaign.
NDC Crime Manager, Karen Buttle said: "The aim of the NDC Crimestoppers campaign is to encourage local residents to report crime and known criminals in their area with a guarantee that they will not be identified. We believe one of the biggest barriers to this is that people are afraid of being found out and having to give a statement to police, but by working with Crimestoppers we can give residents the security of anonymity so they can play a part in improving their area".
Pauline Hadley, Regional Manager for Crimestoppers said: “This campaign calls for those who know who the criminals are to ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. We guarantee that no one will ever know they have called. We are not the police, will not ask caller’s name nor trace or record the call. We just want to know the details of the criminals. Rewards are also paid in a way that protects the callers’ identity.”
The launch event at Henley College, just off Henley Road in Henley Green, is open to the whole family and there will be various events planned to keep everyone entertained. The event on Saturday 18th March, starts at 12 midday through to around 3pm and will be near the tennis courts and sports hall at the rear of the college.
09/05/2006
A school assembly involving children dressed as human body parts has proved so successful that it is now going “on tour” to another local school in the New Deal for Communities area.
The roving body-parts Brian Brain, Terry Teeth, Larry Liver and Herman Heart, amongst others, were just a few of the stars in the Moat House primary school assembly to encourage children to drink more water at school.
The performing body parts were the idea of NDC Oral Health Promotion Officer, Sue Smith, and Water in Schools Nurse Assistant, Karen Wagstaff. “We launched an “Aqua Aid” project to encourage school children to drink more water by providing water coolers and water bottles for children. The Moat House children were the first in the NDC area to get the water in schools and worked really hard putting on their assembly in January to mark this. They wanted to help other schools in the area to promote the importance of drinking water and so we suggested they help the children with moderate learning difficulties at Deedmore School (also in the NDC area) in a fun and visual way".
In full costume, the body-parts will be using drama, songs and poems to act out watery health benefits at a health-focused school assembly.
When not stage-directing vital organs, Sue’s role combines working for the local Primary Care Trust and Coventry New Deal for Communities the community-led initiative to regenerate the area of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore. “While water is very important for general well-being, it also plays a great part in the health of our mouths. It promotes healthy skin and fresh breath, with no calories and no sugar.”
NDC is funding “Aqua Aid” water bottles for school children in the region, combined with water coolers around school. Sue said: “By choosing Aqua Aid, it means that this project will benefit not only our local school children, but it raises money for well-building in the 3rd World.”
09/05/2006
A Coventry dance troupe is kicking high into the big time as they enter a major national competition this weekend.
The Phoenix Cheerleaders, will be joining top cheerleaders from all across the UK to compete in the UKCA (UK Cheerleading Association) National Championships in Manchester.
Phoenix Coventry, a team of no less than 80 children and adults from the Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore area, was set up five years ago. Now, with the support of New Deal for Communities, the community-led regeneration initiative, they are reaching new heights. They have doubled their membership from last year, and are entering into 15 categories in the UKCA. Last year the troupe won 6 places in different categories, including a first place in the Community Cheerleading section.
Rosalyn Scanlon, a Director of Phoenix Cheerleaders, said: “We are all really excited about the championships. The group is dancing better than ever before and with the increased membership and all the support from parents and the community, we really hope we are onto a winner”
”Coventry NDC has been marvellous. We couldn’t have done all this without them. They have provided uniforms, sponsorship and support. They are even paying for the coaches to get us to Manchester.”
To thank NDC for their support, the cheerleaders, armed with balloons and banners, popped round to the NDC offices in Wood End, to do a “thank you” cheer.
Patricia Barrett, NDC’s Community Development Manager has supported this year’s championship bid: “I am so pleased that they are achieving their dream and are really doing the NDC area proud. Everyone who is involved in Phoenix is so committed, and does so much hard work. It is a delight to have sponsored this group and I really hope they go all the way to the top!”
According to the UKCA (www.abc-ukca.co.uk) there are 11,000 cheerleaders in Britain, so competition is likely to be fierce. But if they do well the Phoenix Cheerleaders could represent Coventry on the world stage as the UKCA claims to be the only national body putting national teams forward into the World championships.
11/07/2006
Wood End bus users are now getting a smooth move on their local bus service thanks to Coventry NDC.
Twelve kerb-to-kerb humps along Hillmorton Road, in Wood End, have been removed and replaced with “traffic calming speed cushions”.
Ian Joynes, The NDC Environmental Improvements Programme Manager responsible for the change said: “Local residents tell us that the road humps make bus journeys uncomfortable. The emergency services are also unhappy about using routes with humps.
The cushions that replace the humps will ensure that car drivers still keep their speed down, but buses and larger vehicles can drive astride the humps for a smooth ride– particularly when treatment is needed in an ambulance.
Joan Dyke of Hillmorton Road said: “My husband has to wear a neck brace and travelling can be very painful for him when the road is uneven. Now it’s much better for him on the bus, knowing you’re not going to be bouncing all over the place.
“The noise has been cut down too. I live on a bus route and it used to be very noisy when lorries or delivery vehicles went over the humps. It’s a lot quieter now. It’s amazing how such a simple change can make such a big difference to our lives.”
New Deal for Communities, (NDC), the £54million community-led regeneration scheme has funded the scheme as part of its £3.5million Environmental Improvements project. The project implements improvements requested by residents - recent work has seen new garages, new bus stops and new litterbins installed in the NDC area this year.
17/05/2006
A Coventry dance troupe is celebrating after winning a first place in a major national competition.
The Phoenix Cheerleaders, scooped 14 trophies in all, at the UKCA (UK Cheerleading Association) National Championships in Manchester on May 6th, including three cups for first and third places.
The first place was for “Community Section, Senior Stunt”, where the dancers had to climb onto each other pyramid style!
Phoenix Coventry, a team of no less than 80 children and adults from the Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore area, was set up five years ago. Now, with the support of NDC, the community-led regeneration initiative, they are reaching new heights. They have doubled their membership from last year, and are delighted with their latest competition result.
Rosalyn Scanlon, a Director of Phoenix Cheerleaders, lost her most valuable asset – her voice - whilst cheering for her teams. She croaked: “I’m so happy about our win. The group is dancing better than ever before and after all the support from parents and the community, we are so proud to be bringing all these trophies and cups home.”
Phoenix Coventry also participated in the Guinness Book of Records attempt “World’s Biggest Cheer” – yet another reason for Rosalyn’s lost voice.
Patricia Barrett, NDC’s Community Development Manager has supported this year’s championship bid: “I am so pleased that they are achieving their dreams. Everyone who is involved in Phoenix is so committed, and does so much hard work. It is a delight to have sponsored this group and they deserve to go all the way to the top!”
According to the UKCA (www.abc-ukca.co.uk) there are 11,000 cheerleaders in Britain, so competition was fierce. UKCA claims to be the only national body putting national teams forward into the World championships.
10/05/2006
Two Wood End young women are to become instant film stars this week.
Donna and Nicole Heaney have been asked to star in a mini film commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) formerly the ODPM, which will be screened directly to top people in government as well as numerous youth workers and young people from around the country.
The documentary film aims to show London MPs, National decision makers and youth practitioners, what life is like for young people here in Wood End. The film will then be shown at the Celebrating Young People as Active Citizens Conference in London later this month, where the two intrepid women will also take centre-stage, speaking to a large audience about their lives.
Donna and Nicole (aged 20 and 22) were chosen for the roles because of their involvement in the National NDC conference last November when they were also invited to London to have a say in how youth can get involved in decision making within government. More recently, the girls have also been recognised for their contribution to the new Youth Forum run by Coventry NDC, aimed at empowering more young people like themselves.
With so many radical changes set to transform a number of areas in the UK (including the Coventry NDC area of Wood End, Manor Farm, Henley Green and Deedmore), it is vital that young people are not only heard - but that their valuable input is acted upon as they become the leaders of the future.
Only 16 young people from Coventry and Camden NDC in London have been selected to represent the views of youth from around the country, at this prestigious conference and film event.
Coventry has a very strong youth movement, particularly through the NDC Youth Forum which is the organisation that has helped train and support the young people through this exciting project.
One of the Youth Forum's long-term goals is to make sure that young people have a voice at a national and government level. Steve Baylis, the NDC Youth Inclusion Officer said: “This is a national project led by the DCLG. Eight young people from our local Youth Forum have come together with eight young people from London, to represent the views of youth all over the country and they have really done the area and themselves proud."
Donna who is a young parent in Wood End is well prepared for the challenge. Last November, she gave a great speech to the annual NDC conference and told the 500+ ministers and managers present about some of the issues facing young people. “Young people are always being done-to.” She said: “Government is always making youth policies, but do they ask the young people first? We need to be involved in the decisions that will change our lives. We have real ideas and suggestions too."
The film crew will be visiting the NDC area this week ahead of the National Celebrating Young People as Active Citizens conference on the 19th May in London.
12/05/2006
A number of Coventry residents are up in arms – in the nicest possible way!
The new steel up-and-over doors of their newly refurbished garages in Henley Green, is just part of the reason for them to celebrate.
Since the local New Deal for Communities (NDC) initiative totally refurbished a local eye-sore and anti-social hot-spot, residents are finally able to use their garages without fear or either anti-social behaviour or damage to their vehicles as a result of the poor state of the units.
The garages on Logan Road in Henley Green had previously been in a real state. There was often rubbish dumped and groups of people hanging around the area creating problems for residents trying to access their cars and also keep an eye on their children playing nearby. They urgently needed an overhaul.
Coventry NDC, the £54million regeneration programme, responsible for the transformation, covers the Wood End, Manor Farm, Henley Green and Deedmore area. When residents raised the issue with NDC officers, they launched into action to carry out the work. Ian Joynes, Environmental Improvements Officer for Coventry NDC said: “The garages were beyond repair. We demolished some of them and repairs were ordered for the rest. New steel up-and-over doors mean no more shoving or heaving the original rotten timber doors. Roofs were replaced to stop leakages and the whole area was fenced off with lockable security gates."
Local resident, Martin Smith, is impressed with the difference it has made: “Fly tipping, loitering youths and amorous couples seem to have almost disappeared and now the derelict garages have been demolished. The new fence means parents feel it is safe enough for their very young ones to play in the area. It’s a great improvement.”
Ian has received many similar compliments from local residents of the area, thrilled with the difference it has made to their vehicle safety, their children's safety and the overall look of the area.
25/05/2006
Rappers, DJs, breakdancers, footballers and cheerleaders are all on the bill to celebrate the launch of the new CV2-1 Youth Forum in the NDC area this Saturday.
The event, entitled 'The Launch', is the brainchild of young people from the NDC area - Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore - and the event is all about them!
The CV2-1 Youth Forum was set up through NDC to empower local young people, let them have a say and really influence decisions about their future.
The event is their first stab at event management and is a taster of things to come for the group, who manage themselves, run their own meetings and even have their own job titles.
Everything from the initial planning of the event through to the publicity and promotions has all been their own work.
CV2-1 chief of Marketing, David Bailey said, "We have really enjoyed organising the event - we didn't realise how much actually goes into something like this but we have worked really hard as a team. Apart from a little bit of help here and there from Steve at NDC, we have done everything ourselves."
To make sure there is something for everyone, the event will also be packed with activities for younger children, inflatable sumo wrestling, a climbing wall, food and freebies.
Steve Baylis, NDC Youth Inclusion Officer, said, "I am really proud of the CV2-1 group. They knew exactly what they wanted for the event and how they wanted it done - I have just given them a few tips and let them get on with it, which is what the Forum is all about.
"The young people in this area are some of the most passionate I have ever met. They love their area and are determined to not let its reputation bring them down. This event will definitely do that."
The ’Launch' event is being held at the CV2-1 Youth Forum, Eburne Old School, Deedmore Road, Wood End between 11am - 4pm on Saturday 27 May 2006.
20/06/2006
Parents and children may be taking a rest from the World Cup to celebrate a new childcare centre, this Saturday (24th June) but they won't be able to avoid Beckham!
David Beckham look-alike, Andy Harmon, will be dropping in at the Moat House Children's Centre to make sure the proceedings kick off to a great start!
Moat House Children's Centre, at Deedmore Road, Wood End is now open. Funding from Sure Start and New Deal for Communities (NDC), the £54million regeneration programme, means it can now offer childcare places for 50 local children under five, in the Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore area of the city.
Karen Ritchie, Children’s Centre Manager, said “We are already established and well used as a Neighbourhood Nursery, but now we have been designated as a Children's Centre we can develop more services for local families. We hope that children, their parents and carers will come along to our Fun Day on the 24th to find out more about us - and to meet Beckham of course!"
Activities will include: beat the goalie, Moaties Boaties ~ build and sail your own boat, sand castle competition, help to paint a mini Moat House, puppet shows, soft play and much more!!!
Moat House fun day will be held from 10am to 2pm at Moat House Community Primary School and Children's Centre, Deedmore Road, Wood End. It's free to attend and all are welcome. For more information about Moat House Children's Centre, contact Karen Ritchie on 02476 622158
31/05/2006
Coventry residents from across the North East of the City are expected to turn out in force to see how a massive regeneration scheme will affect them.
Following the recent announcement of the plans for the redevelopment of the New Deal for Communities area of Coventry, neighbouring suburbs will now get the chance to see how the redevelopment will shape the future in the North East of the City.
The areas of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore are going to be directly affected by the £350million Masterplanning redevelopment. The massive project is headed up by a partnership comprising Coventry NDC, Whitefrairs Housing and Coventry City Council and is the largest housing redevelopment that Coventry has ever seen.
Following extensive consultation - timescales, benefits to the community and the order of which areas will be redeveloped have already been released to the people who live in the NDC area itself, and now it is the turn of the wider community.
Exhibitions will be open for people from the North East of the city to come and see what is going on, and to ask questions about the New Deal for Communities regeneration.
The exhibitions will be held:
Monday 3rd July, 12:30pm to 6pm, Bell Green Library in Riley Square
Wednesday 5th July, 3pm to 7pm, St Phillips Church Ringwood, Highway, Potters Green.
John Payne, Head of Neighbourhood Management for North East Coventry said: “Although the regeneration directly affects residents in the NDC area, many people on the outskirts of the area also have an interest and want to know where and when the work will take place. These exhibitions are designed for people to drop in and find out more. There will be staff on hand to ask questions and take comments.”
Afzal Hussain, NDC Director said: “It is very evident that the positive ripples from this regeneration will have a far-reaching effect on the whole city. The local community have been tremendous in their support and we hope that people will come from far and wide to find out about this exciting development”
Some 3500 new houses are planned, along with a new leisure and neighbourhood centre, improved transport links, new environmental improvements, play areas, parks and community facilities.
For more information about the NDC regeneration project contact the New Deal for Communities office on 024 7662 2964.
15/06/2006
This is the message from two Coventry resident groups as they plan to mark National Refugee Week 2006 with a celebration of their community.
'Together as one' is the slogan that resident groups Unity Action Forum and The African Women's Support Group, have used to name their event and is exactly the message they are hoping to promote.
The event, being held at Henley Green Community Centre, will see Coventry people and community groups, from all nationalities and walks of life, come together for a celebration of different cultures, learn more about refugees in their community and most importantly have some fun and get involved in activities they may never have tried before.
The event is the result of months of work by the two resident groups, who have been working closely with the New Deal for Communities programme in Wood End, to make the event a success.
A host of activities will be awaiting residents, including dance, arts, drama, food, cookery, music workshops, face painting and mendhi hand painting. Many of the events will be open for participation, though there will be plenty to see, taste and hear. One of the organisers, Irene Blakeway, of Unity Action Forum, said: “We know that when people have a greater understanding of each others’ cultures, we become more accepting and supporting of them as individuals. Last year’s event was fantastic and we are hoping to build on its success. We would really encourage people to come down to the event and see what's going on”
Hundreds of people from across Coventry are expected to attend the fun-focused event which will be a lively and interactive way for people, locals or newcomers to the area, to find out more about their neighbours and join with them to celebrate their cultures and respect their issues. Behind the scenes, organisers of the event include: Unity Action Forum, African Women's Group and Maintenance Equilibrium Project, with members from places as diverse as: Burandi, Ivory Coast, West Indies and Britain. The event has been supported and funded by New Deal for Communities, the £54million community-led regeneration project for Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore.
Whether the weather is hot or not, the event will be held at Henley Green Community Centre, Wyken Croft, between 11am and 3pm. All welcome, admission free. For more information, please contact Patricia Barrett at Coventry NDC, on 02476 622964.
For more information on Refugee Week, see: www.refugeeweek.org.uk
24/07/2006
All eyes are on Manor Farm this Thursday (27th July), as New Deal for Communities and Neighbourhood Management hold a special drop-in session to find out resident's views on their area.
Local Henley Ward Councillors and representatives from Coventry City Council's Neighbourhood Management team will be at the event to find out how they can better support residents in that area, as well as community Wardens, Whitefriars Housing, City Services and the Police.
Part of the New Deal for Communities regeneration area; Manor Farm has been under the spotlight for the wrong reasons for too long now and NDC needs residents to speak out about issues that they feel strongly about.
Stinder Johl, Head of Neighbourhood Services for Coventry NDC said, "There is a great community spirit on the Manor Farm estate and although they do suffer some negative attention - they always defend their area and want to see its reputation improved.
"Thursday's event is about finding out what the residents on the Manor Farm estate want from the NDC programme and how local agencies can link together to help the estate."
The drop-in sessions are taking place on Manor Farm's doorstep, in the NDC-funded Henley Green Community Centre between 6pm and 8pm.
There will be a sandwich buffet provided for all those who come along.
For more information on the event, pop into the New Deal for Communities office on Hillmorton Road in Wood End or call 024 7662 2964 for more information.
25/07/2006
Local residents who take pride in their neighbourhood are being encouraged to “bid for a skip” to spruce up their area.
The offer comes from Coventry New Deal for Communities (NDC), the community-led regeneration programme working in Partnership with Orbit Housing Association (part of the Orbit Group) to improve the Wood End area of Coventry.
“By signing a petition, we are asking people to commit to an amount of time to help clear up their local neighbourhood”, said James Ogle, who is managing the project from the NDC offices on Hillmorton Road, Wood End.
“It’s a very dynamic scheme”, said James “by getting people to work as a group and commit their time, they have really bought into the initiative”
“The skip drop in Wood End involves about six skips and we have timed it for summer holidays as a number of children have said they would like to help with the litter pick.”
Stuart Sullivan, Housing Manager for Orbit Housing Association said: “The project not only helps to improve the physical appearance of the neighbourhood for residents, but also brings them closer together developing a sense of community and giving residents the resources and drive to change their own environment.”
New Deal for Communities, (NDC), the £54million community-led regeneration scheme has funded the scheme as part of its £3.5million Environmental Improvements project. The project implements improvements requested by residents - recent work has seen new garages, new bus stops, new litterbins and new traffic calming devices installed in the NDC area this year.
02/08/2006
Elderly residents from Loxley Court in Wood End are preparing to be fastened into the stocks this Saturday - all in the name of fun.
Forget cups of tea and scones in the garden - the brave pensioners have hired an authentic set of stocks for their garden fete and will be entertaining visitors by strapping an unlucky resident in and launching wet sponges at them.
Along with the stocks, there will be a splat the rat game, Irish Dancers and Phoenix Cheerleaders- not the norm for a group of people in their seventies.
The elderly residents, all tenants in Orbit Housing's Loxley Court, applied to Coventry New Deal for Communities' Community Resource Fund for money to hold their garden fete. This fund gives local people up to £2000 to organise an event or activity that will benefit their community.
John Layton, 68, one of the tenants that have been involved in organising the garden fete and the one hotly tipped for the stocks said; "It has been really good organising this event and we were pleased to get the money from NDC, which meant we could make the event extra special. We wanted to do something a little different to attract people to come along and we hope the stocks idea will do that. We are hoping for a sunny day so we can all get out and have a great time".
The garden fete will be held on Saturday 5th August, 12-4pm in the garden of Loxley Court in Loxley Close, Wood End. Everyone is welcome.
For more information about the event, call Loxley Court on 024 7662 1660.
08/08/2006
That is the message from Coventry New Deal for Communities (NDC), as they put the finishing touches on their plans for this year's bigger and better summer bash.
The massive free, fun event is run every year by Coventry NDC for residents living in the Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore areas and this year promises to be even bigger and better than before.
Last summer's event saw over 1500 local people come along to Moat House Park in Wood End to experience the carnival atmosphere with live music and around 20 other games and activities.
This year's event has a few added extras with a climbing wall and skate park being added to the list of activities. There will also be a main stage with live music and bands like local rappers C.O.V, bouncy castles, dancers, cheerleaders, sports, bungee run, gladiator style duels and a host of stalls offering more activities, crafts and food.
Patricia Barrett, NDC Community Involvement Manager said, "We enjoy putting on this event almost as much as residents like to come along, we are hoping that local people will pop along and see what we have got going on. The event is very much a 'give back to the community event'. All we ask is that people will come and have some fun on us!"
The event is being held this year on the field at the back of St Patrick's RC School on Deedmore Road in Wood End. It is running from 12-4pm and is free to enter.
For more information on the event, people can call the NDC office on 024 7662 2964 or pop in to see them at the Old Health Centre on Hillmorton Road in Wood End.
04/09/2006
Local ladies get to chant for Mrs Sharon Osbourne
It’s not every day you get the chance to touch shoulders with Hollywood celebrities, but in a way Sharon Osbourne perhaps has some empathy with the friends from a local community group who got together and formed the Coventry Phoenix Adult Cheerleaders.
The squad are a bunch of friends, mostly mum’s, all from the Coventry New Deal for Communities area who wanted to form an activity group that would bring their local community activity together, whilst keeping fit and having fun.
Little did the troupe of lovely ladies realise that they would rise to fame as they were invited by the nation’s most famous and best loved mum, Sharon Osbourne to appear on her show with a host of celebrities. The Sharon Osbourne Show will go out on air 4th September to an audience of millions of viewers. Fame Academy star Lemar will be making a special guest appearance.
Coventry Phoenix Adult Cheerleaders, supported by Coventry NDC, already have some pre-recorded footage depicting them doing housework in both their everyday clothes and their cheerleading outfits, performing a 15 second chant and a dance routine for Sharon herself.
The ladies travelled to London on Sunday 3rd September to record a further dance routine and they supported their community by wearing their NDC outfits. They hope to collect items for prizes for their own annual Cheerleading Award ceremony on the 30th September. It’s not the first time the Coventry Phoenix Adult Cheerleaders have been sprinkled with stardust as they’ve appeared on the ‘The Price is Right’ and received a T-shirt from Joe Pasquale.
Suzanne Rollason, the squad’s representative commented: “We’re so thrilled and excited by the thought of meeting Sharon Osbourne and of course a ‘super-celeb. hottie’ like Lemar. But we’re also proud to represent Coventry NDC and would like to take this opportunity of thanking our sponsors, partners and volunteers for supporting us.”
13/09/2006
Partnership health initiative to improve community well-being
Student life has its difficulties when juggling course work, exams and the day- to-day pressures of modern life, but often the key to managing these stresses successfully can be achieved by simply choosing a healthy diet.
This is the message that Henley College has been getting across to its students as it has made a concerted effort to improve food provision at its busy refectory. Enlisting the help of Lucy Evans, Coventry NDC’s dietician and Sue Smith, PCT Oral Health Promotion Officer, the initiative is hoped to raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating.
Henley College forms a focal point of community life as the residents of Wood End, Henley Green and Manor Farm use the local college to further their education as well as providing a central venue for leisure and hobby activities.
These days of course there’s not really a stereotypical student as people from all ages and walks of life are welcome to Henley College to participate in their diverse range of courses. One thing they do have in common however is that so many of them use the college refectory.
Dee Cobb, from Redcliffe Catering, Henley College’s catering manager has increased the variety of food options available to students with health in mind. A salad bar, fruit smoothies and water present healthy alternatives from the typical vending machine offerings of chocolate and crisps, which have now been barred.
With Lucy and Sue’s expertise guidance and applied innovation they have prepared snap-shots of information on nutrition and dental health. These have been displayed creatively at the tables in the refectory so students can munch on and read about the benefits of healthy eating.
Examples of the snap shots include eating on a budget, healthy snack ideas and tips to look after your teeth. Lucy says: “Working with Henley College has been a great way to provide nutritional advice to NDC residents. The college is the hub of the community and after all raising awareness of the importance of healthy eating is educational in itself.
“A good diet also helps students maximise on their learning experience as concentration, retention, energy, stamina and general well-being are all improved through adopting a balanced and healthy diet.”