BURRADON & CAMPERDOWN FORUM

NEWSLETTER No 16

APRIL 2007

1. Village Chemist

Davison’s Chemist recently opened a dispensary on Front Street, Camperdown which is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5.30pm.  The chemist operates a prescription collection service from local GP surgeries and delivers to residents.

The residents have campaigned for a chemist for many years and it will be an important amenity for the local community.  It is important that the community supports the chemist to preserve the service.  Please contact Serena at Davison’s Chemist on 0191-2688858 regarding any enquiries.

2.Places for People’s Burradon Wellbeing Centre, Kirkdale Court, Burradon

A flat in Kirkdale Court has been modified to create Burradon Wellbeing Centre which will provide a variety of services to the local community and include an Advice Centre, chiropody and optician service, health and counselling advice.

The local community and the Primary Care Trust were consulted regarding the services and initiatives required to improve the quality of health of the local residents.

The development of the Wellbeing Centre would not have been possible without the financial contribution from the Mayor’s Wellbeing Fund and Places for People sincerely appreciate Mayor John Harrison’s support for the project.

Residents are requested to contact Claire Bailey, Places for People on 0191-21133127 or e-mail Claire.bailey@placesforpeople.co.uk  for further information.

North Tyneside Carers Centre is starting a carers group to be held on the last Wednesday of every month at 3pm at Kirkdale Court, Burradon commencing 25 April 2007.  The sessions will provide emotional and practical support for people unable to cope with illness, mental distress, physical or learning disability and alcohol or substance misuse.  Please contact Anne McDonnell at Kirkdale Court on 0191-2687882 or alternatively: annemcdonnell@placesforpeople.co.uk for further information.

3. Notice of Public Meeting at Burradon Primary School on Tuesday 5th June 2007 at 6.30pm

Residents are invited to a public meeting to discuss issues affecting the village.  The Ward Councillors, representatives from Northumbria Police, North Tyneside Council and Places for People will be in attendance to discuss matters raised by residents.

The agenda will include law and order, community and recreational facilities, the development of the former primary school site and environment.  Residents will also be able to raise matters they consider are relevant to the local community.

4.Burradon Bowling Club New Membership Appeal

Burradon Bowling Club invites local residents to join and compete in the local leagues or play bowls for fun at the bowling green at Burradon Recreation Ground.  Playing Bowls is an ideal opportunity to keep fit and make new friends.  Please contact Mr Ralph Wilson on 2683444.

5.Burradon Juniors AFC Sponsorship Appeal

Burradon Juniors AFC urgently require team sponsors to purchase strips for the teams for the forthcoming 2007/08 season.  Residents or local business’s willing to sponsor a team and requiring further information are requested to contact Mr John Sharp, Secretary of Burradon Juniors on 0191-2689738.

The Club is arranging trials for the 2007/08 season for all the teams from Under 8’s (children must be 7 before 31 August 2007) to the Under 17’s.  Dates will be displayed in the Club House, Burradon Recreation Ground for interested children in the near future.

6. Appeal For Old Photographs of Burradon & Camperdown

We are committed to preserving a pictorial history of the village for future generations and would appreciate a loan of any old photographs to be copied and displayed on the village website: www.burradon-camperdown.co.uk.

In particular any photographs of the old colliery rows, prefabs, characters of the past or events organised by the mining community will be appreciated.  Photographs may be left at Camperdown Social Club or the Post Office. It may be advisable to place the photographs in an envelope and provide your name and address in order that they may be returned.

7. Respect Award for Taking a Stand

The Burradon & Camperdown Forum (“The Forum”) will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of its formation in September 2007, North Tyneside Council’s Safer Estates Team in conjunction with Northumbria Police and Places for People are privileged to announce the efforts of the local community and its partners have been recognised nationally with the Government’s Respect Award for Taking a Stand.

The Home Office award supported by Crime Concern is in its 4th year and recognises the success of individuals, groups and projects which address and resolve the issue of anti-social behaviour within local communities.

Mr John Meldrum, North Tyneside Council’s Safer Estates Team, Inspector Geoff Cross, Northumbria Police and Mr Chris Wray, Secretary of the Burradon Camperdown Forum attended a ceremony in Birmingham on 19 April 2007 to accept the award of behalf of the local community and its partners.

The formation of the Safer Estates Team in June 2004 to combat anti-social behaviour and work in partnership with local residents and various external agencies has had tremendous success which has empowered local residents and the community

The Forum has to be praised for arranging a series of public meetings which were attended by local residents, preparing newsletters with details of initiatives to reduce anti-social behaviour, creating an information website and supporting local people who have reported incidents to the police, local authority and housing associations.

The eviction of a tenant in Allanville in November 2004 following a series of meetings with residents and the provision of statements for the court proceedings marked a turning point in the village’s fortunes.  Residents have demonstrated immense courage by agreeing to act as witnesses during Court cases which demonstared to a minority of people within the community that criminal and anti-social behaviour was no longer acceptable.  North Tyneside Council and Places for People successes to date include the following:

  • 2 Council tenants and 1 Places for People tenant evicted
  • 3 Council tenants and 2 Places for People tenants absconded prior to the commencement of possession proceedings

  • 2 suspended possession orders for council tenants and 9 notices seeking possession in respect of criminal and anti-social behaviour

  • 5 Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO’S)
  • 39 Acceptable Behaviour Agreements (ABA’S) signed
  • 35 Joint visits to properties with the Police
  • 2,500 letters circulated to residents to encourage the reporting of incidents or advise the community of legal action against tenants or individuals within the village.

We will continue to utilise all available legal remedies against individuals engaging in criminal and anti-social behaviour to demonstrate to the community that such conduct will not be tolerated.

The Safer Estates Team was recently expanded with the appointment of Ian Anderson who will be solely responsible for resolving incidents involving owner-occupiers and the private rented accommodation.  Anyone experiencing harassment, anti-social or criminal behaviour is advised to contact the following:

Mr Ian Anderson North Tyneside Council Safer Estates Team-0191-2192430

Mr Sean Creaby North Tyneside Council Housing Department-0191-2007400

Mr Paul Gallagher Places for People-0191-2931919

PC Damian Ramsay Northumbria Police-0191-2146555 ext 63437