HaigHomesHousing the ex-Service Community

HaigHaigHaig Housing Trust

Coming Home at the Natural History MuseumOn November 1st, Haig held its first major fundraising event for the Coming Home campaign. The glittering event was held at the Natural History Museum in London with over 400 people seated for dinner in the Central Hall in the company of ‘Dippy’ the dinosaur. With celebrity Master of Ceremonies, Alexander Armstrong, entertainment from Classic Entertainment, The Swingle Singers, The Army Big Band and Alton Edwards, the evening was sponsored by BNY Mellon and aimed to raise funds to provide adapted housing for wounded and disabled Service people. With an auction led by entertaining auctioneer Charlie Ross, the evening raised almost £200,000. Auction lots included ‘money can’t buy’ items such as a flight in a Lancaster Bomber, a private tour of the Crown Jewels, a drive in a 1908 Rolls Royce currently insured for £20m and many other wonderful experiences and opportunities. We are immensely grateful for the generosity of the people who donated such marvellous items and for those who took tables at the event and bid significant amounts of money to add to the overall success of the evening.

FurtHer FuNdraisiNg eveNts are beiNg plaNNed For 2013 iNCludiNg:29th June: Coronation Charity Ball in the magnificent Royal Ascot triple decked marqueeJuly – date tbc: Regimental Boxing Dinner Blues and Royals versus the Household Calvary9th september: Charity cricket match at the beautiful central London HAC cricket ground with a

celebrity team versus the Coming Home Cricket Team21st september: Dinner and Dance on board the Royal Yacht Britannia with the Blues and Royals

For further information on the Coming Home campaign please see page 4

Newsletter

autuMN 2012

Guests dine in the shadow of the famous dinosaur in the towering Gothic Central Hall Piper Major Roger Huth outside the magnificent Natural History Museum greeting guests as they arrive

For Office Opening Hours over the Christmas and New Year period, please see back page

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trust

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t r u s t N e w strusteesMajor General Robert Staveley Former long standing Trustee of Haig Homes and, for a short while, acting Chairman of Trustees, Major General Robert Staveley died in September. He was a Trustee from 1982 to 1997. Our condolences to his widow, Airlie and family. Mrs Staveley said that he ‘always retained a particular affection for Haig Homes and all that it stood for’.

David Barclay Henny Gregg

Charlotte Edwards Lorraine Sylvester

goodbye Ewart Shields is retiring after 10 years at the helm as the Trust’s Agent for Scotland. He has been with the Trust during the handover of the properties from Haig Homes to the management of Haig Housing Trust and has been a popular figure on the estates in Scotland at Glasgow and Edinburgh. We all wish him a long and healthy retirement. roy Chamberlain joined the Trust in 1993 in the role of Tenant Liaison Officer quickly becoming a well known and popular member of staff. He was seconded to our IT department for for over a year to help implement the new IT system. After this he worked in our Housing Needs section advising applicants on housing options and selecting new tenants of Haig. We wish him a healthy and happy retirement.

New FacesCharlotte Edwards and Lorraine Sylvester have been appointed as Repairs Administrators following the departure of Carron Gibson and Zena Newland after both left the Trust having had their babies. Charlotte has worked in the Property Services Department for three years.Natalya Dunkley has joined the Housing Services team as an Income Officer.David Barclay joins HHT as a Case Worker.Henny gregg joins the Trust as Coming Home Campaign Assistant.

staFFCongratulations to Michael Marven, Housing Manager for the North, and his wife, anita, on the arrival of their second daughter bethany in April.

tracy Kay – who has just celebrated 30 years with the Trust starting in the General Office and now, 30 years later, is our Contracts and Compliance Administrator.

Tracy, second from right, with colleagues from the Property Services Department, celebrating 30 years with the Trust.

Natalya Dunkley

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Trustee TravelsThe Trustees of Haig Homes and Haig Housing Trust all take interest in the various estates throughout the country. This year, there have been several visits by Trustees and here Wing Commander Tim Underwood gives us his thoughts. “During the last year, I have made a point of visiting Haig Homes estates during my peregrinations. When I visited my family living in the North East, I had a look at the houses in the Sunderland and Newcastle estates. On a sentimental journey to Northern Ireland, I went to the Belfast estate and while on holiday in Cornwall I sought out the houses in Penzance. Although I prefer to visit the estates unannounced, before I set out, I contact the Morden office, let them know where I will be, ask if there are any specific problems they would like me to investigate and crucially ask for a map. I can tell you that some of the estates are not easy to find – even the window cleaner did not know the location of one of the Sunderland estates despite being less than 50 yards away! A couple of years ago when on holiday in Jersey I wanted to look at the Haig Homes there – I never did find them! My intention is to look at the houses, compare them with others in the neighbourhood, see if there are any obvious faults (such as broken tiles or leaking gutters) and see whether there are problems with grounds maintenance or parking. I don’t ask to go into houses but if tenants want to talk, I’m more than happy to chat about any problems they might have. I have met some tenants who have seen me wandering in their area, they have kindly invited me in and given me a feel for the estate. Any problems that they have, I report to the office in Morden. I am always surprised that so few ask me what I am doing! After my visit, I write a short report for the Staff. This year, specific arrangements have been made for Trustees to visit estates in the North and West London area, Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Warrington and Liverpool. Our visits were notified in advance and tenants were encouraged to chat to us. My overall impression of all these estates was that Haig Homes is providing a very high standard of accommodation. Granted, there are niggles – mostly connected with the reporting and execution of repairs and in this connection some tenants are still getting used to the new repairs reporting system. I think we were all impressed by the enthusiasm of the Housing Managers and it is hoped that tenants will welcome their visits. Our visits have given us a much better understanding of the expectations and concerns of tenants, an up to date view of the condition of the estates and much to think about when formulating the future of Haig Homes.”

Major General John Milne with Cyril Rayner in Harrow

l-r Major General John Milne, Mr Peter Cleminson, Housing Manager Julie Sutherland and Mr Leslie Brantingham visiting Farnborough

Wing Commander Tim Underwood with Mrs Spencer in Liverpool

Group Captain Bob Kemp on the right, visiting Mr and Mrs Brown in Liverpool

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CoMiNg HoMeComing Home, the campaign to raise funds to provide specially adapted homes for wounded and disabled Service and ex-Servicemen goes from strength to strength. We have now helped 34 ‘Coming Home’ beneficiaries since the start of the campaign in May 2011.

in support of Help For HeroesHelp for Heroes has generously granted Haig Housing Trust £1m pa for the next five years to assist HHT’s programme to provide adapted housing. H4H also provides generous funds for immediate housing needs and adaptations for medically discharged people for whom MOD is no longer responsible. These funds are channelled through to us via ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. Haig Housing Trust is indebted to H4H. Quite apart from all the other work it does in the field of rehabilitation, its brilliant fund raising has enabled us to purchase seven properties with another six projects in the pipeline, and to adapt the properties of many others.

see page 13 For More News oF support For CoMiNg HoMe

Ewhurst Garage Supports Coming Home Tony and Rosemary Thorpe who own the family run Skoda dealership, the Station Garage in Ewhurst, support Coming Home by donating £1 per service they carry out. They have raised over £600 so far. With thanks to Robert Wooldridge for inspiring this support.

House of lords receptionComing Home received £52,475.00 from a small group of supporters led by Spencer and Clinton McCarthy from Churchill Retirement Living at a reception at the House of Lords in May. Coming Home was kindly invited by the late Lord Alf Morris of Manchester to celebrate our first anniversary and to help raise further awareness of the work we are doing. Captain Garth Banks shared his experiences of being injured in Afghanistan and explained how HHT can help. No one who attended was left in any doubt as to the bravery and motivation of Garth and the need to help more young men and women who find themselves in a similar situation.

L-R Coming Home Patron Lord Dannatt, HHT Trustee Peter Girling, Captain Garth Banks, Clinton McCarthy, Spencer McCarthy

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Fundraising activitiesWe have been well supported by all sorts of people raising funds for Coming Home. These are just some of the things which have taken place.Heroes at the Tower: Coming Home was one of three charities to benefit from this very successful event at the Tower of Londongreat North run: 11 runners took part in the Great North Run, the World’s biggest, iconic half Marathon. At the same time as her cousin Jenny Gibbs was taking part in this run, Captain Charlie Perkins ran the same distance at her base in AfghanistanFoo Fathers: London’s Foo Fighters Tribute Act returned to give a cracking performance at the O2 Academy in aid of Coming Homeround the island race: Flying the Coming Home spinnaker, Elixir GB 2012 came in 15th in the Round The Island Race, IRC Division 2A classtandem ride John o’groats to land’s end: In July, Dorset couple Andrew Grassby and Sonya Gulliford achieved this epic tandem cycle challengeYpres 100km March: The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry and the Honourable Artillery Company joined forces on the Ypres 100 March to raise money for Coming HomeThe campaign is gathering momentum and you can catch up with all the fundraising events and activities taking place by checking the website www.coming-home.org.uk. Get involved! If you want any further information, please contact the Coming Home Campaign Co-ordinator, Jo Houghton on jo.houghton@haighousingtrust.org.uk

Haig staff raise fundsIn September John Lau, Director of Housing Services, Michael Marven, Housing Manager,and Pat Horgan, Performance Manager with 14 others, supported by Surveyor Stephen Stripp, took part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. With loyal Coming Home supporters Diamond Build, the intrepid challengers completed the course despite injuries failing light and inclement weather. They raised an impressive £3,000 for the appeal.John Lau said “We thought we were doing well until we were overtaken on the descent on the second peak, by four young women runner in shorts and vests. We felt unfit and overdressed!” Pat Horgan said, “This was a tough physical challenge. The weather conditions were really poor, wet and windy and with a mix of abilities and ages ranging from 22-53, we were all really pleased to finish. When we made the last summit (which was a killer!) seven of us decided to walk the whole descent too. We lost light after an hour and then had two more hours stumbling in the bog in darkness.”Peter Besgrove, Chief Executive of Haig said “What a tremendous effort by all, particularly given the appalling weather. My congratulations and thanks to everyone.”

An exhausted Andy Duffy ran the Shardeloes 10km run and came a very respectable 7th.

Cold and wet at the tip of Whernside Worsening weather conditions at Pentygent

The Ypres 100 Team

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Jubilee

Festivities

This summer has seen the whole of the UK immersed in historic events with the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics. The Diamond Jubilee of HM The Queen’s 60 year reign, saw celebrations throughout the country with major spectacles full of British pomp and ceremony but also hundreds of smaller events including street parties. Many of our estates held celebratory parties including Haig Place and Churchill Place in Birmingham, Purcell’s Close, Ashtead, Macdonnell Gardens, Watford, Haig Close, Isle of Wight, Harewood Court, Leeds and Evelyn Close Cheltenham.

The Queen is the Patron of Haig Homes and we sent her congratulations from the tenants and trustees and were delighted to receive this reply...

Haig Commemorates the diamond JubileeThe Trustees were keen to commemorate the Jubilee in a way that benefited existing tenants and also in ways looking to the future. They decided on the following:Decorating Allowance: The Trustees will award EVERY beneficiary tenant an additional £50 decorating allowance this year. This was added to each tenants account on June 5th. (Tenants in rent arrears are not eligible for decorating allowance and therefore would not have qualified for this gift).New flats in Morden: Trustees want to demolish two properties in Morden and provide eight one-bed homes for single Service leavers. The intention is to give the development a Jubilee commemorative name.

Harewood Court residents getting into the Diamond Jubilee spirit

Betty Jones from Haig Place in Birmingham writes: “We had a great day despite the rain. We had presents for the children, decorations, a large cake and a buffet. Over fifty people attended everyone enjoyed themselves and it was lovely to see our little community all mixing with their family and friends. It was a very good day.”

The Diamond Jubilee celebrations held at Purcell’s Close were bittersweet for Glenys Curley who was just about to leave her home in Ashtead to go to New Zealand to live nearer her daughter. She said “As I start my new life in New Zealand, I would like to say, very many thanks to my friends and neighbours in Purcell’s Close, Ashtead, for being so caring and helpful, especially over the last couple of years. You made my time there, much more enjoyable. I will miss you all. I hope we can keep in touch. Thank you Purcell’s Close.”There were celebrations on the Isle of Wight too at the estate at Lake. Charlotte Winter tells us, “We held our party in June with everyone chipping in with the food and drinks. Richard and Jackie who joined us at Lake 18 months ago made a splendid job of the Jubilee decorations. There were people

of all ages ranging from one of the residents 8 year old granddaughter, who gave us all dance lessons, to Kitty, our oldest resident who got the younger residents up dancing on the lawn!.” At Crosfield Court, they had a new flag and flagpole to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee – see page 14.

Happy and gloriousThe “Not Forgotten” Association kindly put on a Diamond Jubilee concert for tenants in Morden. With songs and sketches from different eras of the Queen’s long life, the concert was a wonderful extravaganza of energy, music, dance and patriotic enthusiasm, enjoyed by one and all.

J u b i l e e F e s t i v i t i e sJubilee

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Glenys Curley, bottom left, celebrates with friends and neighbours before her move to New Zealand.

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P R O P E R T Y S E R V I C E SpropertY

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Handy Hints bookletPlease make use of the Handy Hints Booklet in your Tenants Information and Handbook pack.One of our tenants in Cheltenham recently wrote to say how it had helped “It had recently become impossible to turn off the kitchen hot water tap - within seconds of turning it off it had begun to drip again. Thank goodness for the Handy Hints book which showed me how to fix this!”

legionnaire’s diseaseYou may have been aware of recent issues concerning Legionnaire’s Disease. Haig services your boiler annually and we will be checking for redundant lengths of pipes which, if necessary will be removed. The highest risk of infection in your home comes from your shower head so we recommend that, every three months, you take down your showerhead and hose and sterilise them to reduce the risk of bacterial build-up. Whilst you have your showerhead down, it is a good idea to use a de-scaler to keep limescale build-up at bay and ensure your shower is working at optimum efficiency.

insulation grantsThe Government has recently increased grants for property insulation through it’s “Warm Front Scheme. Eligibility is ‘relaxed ’until December. For more information see:h t t p : / / w w w . d i r e c t . g o v . u k / e n /E n v i r o n m e n t a n d g r e e n e r l i v i n g /Energyandwatersaving/Energygrants/DG_10018661

British Gas is also encouraging ‘absolutely anyone’ to apply for their free insulation – even if you’re not a British Gas customer”. Act quickly as you have to apply by 30.11.12h t t p : / / w w w. h o m e h e a t i n g g u i d e .c o . u k / b r i t i s h - g a s - h o m e -insulat ion.html?gcl id=CIWqgPGf-7ICFYTMtAodq0UA7Q

Other companies are also offering similar services which you can find through an internet search on “free insulation”.

bogus Callers We have received some worrying information about people being targeted by bogus callers and ask all residents to be very vigilant.A tenant in Swansea reported people posing as representatives of Envirocare, having taken money and not done any work. Please check any callers’ ID cards carefully. If legitimate contractors are carrying out work on your estate, you will have been told by Haig.Another tenant, in Portsmouth, reported a very convincing scam by a man posing as a worker from the Water Board saying that the water source in the house has been reported as contaminated and that he has to shut the water off immediately. He also said that, as his hands were ‘contaminated’ he couldn’t do this himself so asked the tenant to turn on the taps in the kitchen and busy himself emptying the cupboard below the sink. Whilst standing talking to our tenant, the man’s accomplice was upstairs ransacking the house.DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO UNSOLICITED CALLERS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCESCHECK ALL ID VERY CAREFULLY – PHONE tHe orgaNisatioN HaviNg got tHe NuMber FroM tHe telepHoNe booK or iNterNet Not FroM tHe id Card.asK a NeigHbour or relative to COME TO YOUR HOME IF SOMEONE IS deterMiNed to CoMe iN.PHONE HAIG TO CHECK WHETHER ANY worK is sCHeduled.

BEWARE!

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£25 top prize for returning your Works Order QuestionnaireWe use the questionnaire on the back of the works order to monitor contractors’ performance. These questionnaires can be filled in anonymously but any form returned with a name and address will be entered into a draw for £25. Recent winners are: Mrs E Ward, Manchester; Mr E Cox, Birmingham; Mrs M Spencer, Manchester; Mrs R E Portch, Winchfield; Mrs J Uden, Morden; Mrs J Knight, Harrow; Mrs E Dellar, Manchester; Miss M Eley, Morden; Mr C Rayner, Harrow.

P R O P E R T Y S E R V I C E SpropertY

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Problems with Drains Last year, we issued a leaflet which outlined the changes in drains ownership. If you have lost yours or need a replacement, please let us know.Since October 2011, drains to Haig properties have come under the administration of the local water authorities. We have directed many tenants with enquiries about problems with drains to contact their water authority and, on each occasion, the water authority has attended and cleared the issue. You will have already noticed that your water rates have increased and this is because the water authorities are already taking into account the increase in problems they are attending. So, as you are already paying for a service, please use it. You will only be charged extra by the water authorities if they discover the fault with the drain is yours so please avoid this by disposing of your waste properly. The following items MUST NOT be flushed down the drain:

waste food baby/face wipes animal wastepaint/solvents/fuel condoms cotton woolfats, oils and greases sanitary products cotton budsdisposable nappies bandages/dressings razor blades

Please make a note of your local water authority and keep the number safely in case of emergency, please contact them, not Haig

adaptationsWe are very fortunate with the support we get for adaptations to houses occupied by our tenants. For our more seriously wounded and disabled beneficiaries coming through Haig Housing Trust, we are indebted to Help for Heroes and ABF The Soldiers Charity – both organisations are very supportive of the work we do to provide properties adapted to suit the very specific needs of these people. We also receive funding from Queen Mary’s Roehampton Trust for those with a War Disability Pension and from local authorities throughout the country. Particular mention should be made of the London Borough of Merton for the excellent support from their Environmental Health Department who have awarded us over £80,000 of Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). This has led to adaptations at Hart Square, Alexandra Square, Haig Place, The Hill Top, The Sanctuary, and Douglas Square and more planned for next year.An example of the help we receive, is the walk-in shower unit in Alexander Square in Morden put in for Rick Hoare whose disability makes it difficult to use a bath. This shower has a walk-in foldable door and a seat to use. It has greatly improved things for Rick who says, “It is no longer such a massive effort to bathe with this new shower. The work has been done very well and it has made such a difference to my life.”

Anglian Water 08457 145 145Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water 0800 085 3968Northumbrian Water 0845 717 1100Severn Trent Water 0800 783 4444South West Water 0800 169 1144

Southern Water 0845 278 0845Thames Water 0845 9200 800United Utilities 0845 746 2200 Wessex Water 0845 600 4 600Yorkshire Water 0800 57 35 53

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Local Offer – Service StandardsLast year all tenants were sent a document outlining the Trust’s commitment to tenants and what we undertake to do. This is called our ‘Local Offer’ which was the name given to it by the Tenants Services Authority our former regulator. As the Trust has now de-registered for the TSA we will still aim for the same standards but will call it our ‘Service Standards’ as this sums up more ‘what it says on the tin’ phrase than the jargon ‘local offer’.

the Future of Haig Homes and Haig Housing trustFollowing Haig Homes’ de-registration from the Tenants Services Authority, the Trustees of both Trusts are now working towards the two Trusts combining to make the ‘Haig Family’ which will also include the fundraising campaign Coming Home. The Trusts already work very closely together and it makes sense, administratively, to combine the two. For practical reasons, this will be achieved by transferring Haig Homes’ properties and assets to Haig Housing Trust. HHT’s objects, although exactly the same as Haig Homes, have been written in today’s language, not that of 90 years ago, and it is a vehicle more suited to meeting the current needs of the members and former members of HM Armed Forces. It is regulated by the Charity Commission, as is Haig Homes.

Chairman of both Trusts, David Stewart says, “I am totally committed to ensuring that both Trusts’ tenants will continue to receive the best service we can deliver with the same members of staff thatwe have now. Furthermore I want the work we are doing, currently through Haig Housing Trust with individual severely wounded and injured Service personnel, to continue and expand within the Haigfamily. Many of you will remember that in the past, in times of conflict, Haig focused on helping the injured and wounded. I want us to return to our roots as a charity.”

A spokesman for the Homes & Community Agency – the social housing regulator said, “I can confirm that we have no objection to the proposal to vest the property of Haig Homes in Haig Housing Trust.”Peter Besgrove, Chief Executive of both Trusts said “The HCA continues to support our property transfer. We are now regarded as something special and different to other Housing Associations andwe are well run with a clear and established role as a significant military charity. We also have clear reporting lines to the Charity Commission.”

This change will have no impact whatsoever on the services you receive from the Trust, the way your home is managed or your legal rights set out in your Tenancy Agreement and we will send you detailed information of the changes before they come into effect.

Housing ManagersCarlisle – From the beginning of June, Andrew Duffy took over as the Housing Manager for the Carlisle estate

tunbridge wells – Andy Nelson took over from the Agent and is now the Housing Manager for Tunbridge Wells

Holiday BreaksOne of our tenants has had a lovely holiday in an RBL Break Centre. There are four centres in prime locations across the country which “provide a comfortable and enjoyable break for those who are recovering from an illness, bereavement or other life affecting events”. If you are interested in having a break contact one of the following:Somerset Legion House, 57 Beach Road Weston-Super-Mare Somerset BS23 4AL. T: 01934 422301. E: slh@britishlegion.org.ukByng House, 30 Promenade Southport Merseyside PR8 1QU. T: 01704 537 875 Bennet House, 17 Lansdowne Crescent Portrush County Antrim Northern Ireland BT56 8AYT. T: 02870 822 990. E: bennethouse@britishlegion.org.ukAlderson House, 70 South Marine Drive Bridlington East Yorkshire YO15 3NS. T: 01262 408 010. E: alderson@britishlegion.org.ukOr phone the Legionline for further information on 08457 725 725

HAIG CONFERENCE 2013The 2013 Haig Conference

will be held on6th March 2013

at the

Manchester Conference CentreSackville Street

Manchester M1 3BB

If you would like to attend, please return the form enclosed with this newsletterTravel expenses will be covered and

necessary overnight accommodation providedAttendees will also receive an attendance

allowance and all food

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recording telephone CallsWe would like to remind everyone that telephone calls to the Trust are recorded. This aids sorting out misunderstandings and helps both staff and tenants.

Welfare Benefit ReformsThe government will bring in a raft of changes in benefits over the next 12 months. Some of these changes wiill affect Haig Homes tenants who are reliant on benefits either to pay their rent or to meet their day to day living expenses.Please read the leaflet included in this newsletter which is our guide to some of these changes and what you should do to avoid getting into difficulties with paying your rent.If you have any queries please phone 020 8685 5777 and choose Option 4 to talk to an Income Officer.

veM dayAt the end of October many of the current VEMs (Volunteer Estate Monitors) came to Head Office in Morden for the day. These VEM days provide the opportunity for the VEMs from various estates, to meet Haig staff and each other – a perfect opportunity to compare notes and work towards providing a comparable service on all estates. If you are interested in becoming a VEM for your estate, please contact your Housing Manager.

resident Members of the Management Committee

Gary Bell, from Newcastle, (pictured above with fellow VEMs, front row second from right) and Patrick Lyster-Todd from Morden accepted the role of Resident Member of the Management Committee. Gary says “I am really pleased to have been selected to be one of the tenants who sit on the committee; I have been a tenant since 1992 and will endeavour to do my best to balance the views of tenants with the trustees and the executive.

I have been a VEM since the scheme was implemented and have spoken at the tenants conference in 2011 about the value of the VEM and the benefits in relation to the effects on the estate in which they are residents.

We live in challenging times and changes to Welfare Reform and the ever increasing demands on housing need for both Haig Homes and Haig Homes Trust, will no doubt at times be testing but after spending time with the Executive and after attending my first meeting on the 5 July I was very impressed with the future plans and financial position on the Trust.”

New Haig WebsiteIn advance of the future amalgamation of Haig Homes and Haig Housing Trust, the Haig Homes website has been updated. Please look at our new site at www.haighomes.org.uk

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Macdonnell Gardens Celebrate 80th Anniversary in the Diamond Jubilee year and plant a Royal OakResidents of MacDonnell Gardens marked the 80th Anniversary of the opening of the estate on 30th October and also commemorated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by asking Guest of Honour the Countess of Verulam, Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, to plant a small oak tree. The oak tree was grown from one of 600 acorns collected from a Royal Estate to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. It is with thanks to Chris Hickman of the Woodland Trust who agreed that Macdonnell Gardens represented a strong case to receive one of these very special trees and to resident Anne Relf for her careful nurturing of the infant sapling.

The 12 ‘Arts and Crafts’ style bungalows of Macdonnell Gardens were built in 1931/32 through the charitable fund raising efforts of Mrs Annie Macdonnell, The Foundress and Honorary Organising Secretary of The Disabled Officers’ Garden Homes. In April 1933, Prince George, the Duke of Kent, visited Macdonnell Gardens, where he planted an oak tree close to the flag pole on the central green; that tree died several decades later due to a gas leak affecting its root system. With careful mapping of gas pipes, the location of the new oak tree will mean that it will not suffer the same fate.

Many local dignitaries attended the event, the Mayor, several Councillors, the Honorary Bishop of St Albans, representatives from Haig, The Officers’ Association and the Woodland Trust and friends and family of the residents. Unlike the opening ceremony 80 years before when it rained heavily, the sun shone all day.

The Countess of Verulam, Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, planting the commemorative oak tree with left to right, Rory Ingleby-MacKenzie, Operations Director, Dorothy Thornhill, Mayor of Watford, Lieutenant Tony Eldridge and Anne Relf both Macdonnell Gardens Residents, The Rt Revd John W Gladwin, Honorary Bishop of St Albans and David Stewart, Chairman of Haig Housing Trust and Haig Homes

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t e N a N t s N e w sHalf-Mast flag theft: RAF Honnington to the rescue

Tenants at Minden Close, Bury St Edmunds were shocked when the Union flag was stolen from their flagpole. Mary Ryan, who lives on the estate with her Suffolk Regiment husband Dennis said “We had just lost a neighbour. We fly the flag at half- mast when a neighbour passes or when one of our Service people dies in Afghanistan. When I noticed it was gone, I was beyond angry. Do they realise how upset we all are?”RAF Honnington heard about the theft and decided to give its last Union flag to the residents, a very kind gesture. Mrs Ryan adds, “The flag is beautiful and we are so very grateful.”The tenants now perform a morning and evening flag ceremony in order to keep the flag safe for the future.

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Haig paralympiansA significant number of military service personnel injured in Afghanistan and Iraq were selected for the London 2012 Paralympics. Two are well known to us at Haig as we have been helping with their housing needs. Nick Beighton, a Captain with the Royal Engineers, who lost both legs in Afghanistan in 2009 competed in the rowing and Derek Derenalagi took part in the discus. Derek lost both legs in a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2007. He said “A medic found I had a pulse as they were putting me in a body bag. I was inspired by the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and I decided athletics would be my career. I took part in the discus as my main event but I also do javelin and shot-put.” His wife Ana Qumivutia said: “Derek is my hero. Five years ago I thought our world had collapsed yet Derek has turned a disaster into something amazing.” Derek and Ana are working towards entering into a Shared Ownership specially adapted house with Haig.With modern medicine meaning survival rates from the battlefield are far higher than previous wars, there has been a big rise in Armed Forces amputees entering the sporting field with even more expected to compete in future Paralympics.

big Challenges aheadAlan Spencer, who lives on the Haig estate in Morden, is a loyal supporter of Haig’s Coming Home fundraising campaign and has tirelessly collected money at rugby matches and elsewhere. Each year he opens his garden to fellow neighbours to raise some funds. His garden is a big project for him and he does all the work himself turning it into a thing of beauty - not that his cat was too impressed with the open day. Alan is now the proud owner of a recumbent trike which he hopes to use for various sponsored cycle rides. Using this trike is a major achievement for the ever irrepressible and very remarkable Alan who faces considerable physical challenges.

Sheila Underwood and Alan Johns, who live at Princes Court, Carlisle, chose a cold but beautiful sunny day in October to get married with friends, neighbours and family helping them celebrate. The Service was held at Dalston Methodist Church. One friend said “It was a great day, Sheila and Alan were happy; she looked beautiful and he was handsome in his Duke of Lancaster’s Evening Dress Uniform. We wish them a very happy married life together”.

Crosfield Court – Haig HistoryThe lettering of Crosfield Court has been renewed during the year and the tenants have also had a new flagpole and flag in time for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Chris Young has been interested in Crosfield Court and has traced the background on Lieutenant Colonel George Rowlandson Crosfield CBE, DSO, TD (1877-1962). Mr Young has established that Colonel Crosfield was educated at Harrow and his military career included commanding 77th Company Imperial Yeomanry in the South African War (Queen’s medal 5 clasps), then 2IC 14th S Lancs in France in February 1915. He later commanded 2nd Suffolks and 10th RWF in the field. Colonel Crosfield had his leg amputated as result of a wound at St Eloi, March 1916 and two years later, was commissioned as Observer into the Royal Flying Corps.Post War he was National Chairman of the British Legion and Chairman of the Not Forgotten Association.In 1953, he was made Officer Legion of Honour, Commander White Lion of Czechoslovakia and Commander of Order of Star of Romania.Crosfield Court was built in 1931 – the personal gift of Lieutenant-Colonel Crosfield who was a founder Trustee of the Douglas Haig Memorial Homes. He was a prominent Warrington citizen and a former Vice Chairman of Joseph Crosfield & Sons Ltd now a subsidiary of Unilever Plc. Crosfield worked closely with Earl Haig in the post-war years and both men were completely devoted to improving the lot of their former comrades-in-arms.Mr Young says “It is an honour to live in a house donated by such a person. He was clearly a very brave man and undoubtedly an officer who led from the front. Perhaps his Quaker upbringing was influential in his philanthropic gesture in bequeathing Crosfield Court to the Trust. It is only right and fitting that the names of such benefactors should never be forgotten, especially by those fortunate enough to benefit from their generosity and consideration of Service families in need.”

Not Forgotten association outingsWe continue to be fortunate to be offered places for our tenants to go on ‘Not Forgotten’ Association outings.There has been a trip in Ipswich Michael Wisden writes, “We had a wonderful day with great food and entertainment. I am really grateful to the Not Forgotten Association for a marvellous day out.”A trip on the Thames at Runnymede was a great outing for John and Carole Briffitt who told us, “We boarded the New Queen of the Thames with 120 people including at least 20 Chelsea Pensioners who, with their bright red coats, brought a cheer to a rainy day. The lunch was excellent. The crew were very helpful and considerate to the less mobile of us. Slowly cruising and passing some lovely views of Windsor Castle through the trees and actress Beryl Reid’s house, luxury houses, barges and luxury boats (how the other half live!). After lunch, everyone relaxed, passing through the lock, passengers grew quiet as they concentrated as hard as the crew, amazing lack of room for manoeuvre. The Not Forgotten Association deserve a sincere thank you for a great day and thank you for inviting us to take the trip.”The Not Forgotten Association has included tenants this year in two boat trips on the river Thames, a boat trip in Ipswich, a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and two concerts. Christmas lunches in Bristol and Birmingham and on the river Thames in London and tea at St James’s Palace are planned. We are very grateful to them.

t e N a N t s N e w s

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t e N a N t s N e w steNaNts

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Haig Hero gets garden makeover by Alan Titchmarsh’s ‘Love Your Garden’

Trooper Ian Costello was seriously wounded in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in July 2009 suffering multiple spinal fractures, two shattered feet and severe skull fractures which later led to serious memory loss. He served with The Light Dragoons. Ian was caught in an Improvised Explosive Device

detonation, was rapidly flown back to the UK and was in hospital within 24 hours. Due to his complex injuries he spent nine weeks under the care of Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham before moving to Headley Court, where he started the rigorous rehabilitation process which included daily remedial fitness, intense physiotherapy and aqua training.With his naturally proactive attitude he had a much speedier recovery than expected although he still remains on the long road to recovery, Haig Housing Trust were able to help by finding accommodation in Haig Homes’ War Memorial Bungalows in Norwich.Ian, his wife Lindsay and their three children had a surprise when the ITV1 Love Your Garden team turned up on their doorstep to transform their back garden. The Costellos were nominated for a garden makeover in recognition of their past few years’ challenges. Lindsay, a nurse currently training to become a health visitor with Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust, said of the surprise, “I was a bit gobsmacked when Alan Titchmarsh turned up on our doorstep. We were

all shipped off while the crew got down to business and we came back for the ‘grand reveal’. It was a mad few days and the makeover has simply been beyond our wildest dreams”.The makeover included play areas and structures for their three children and a relaxing area including a hot tub! The flowers and styling of the garden was meant to reflect happy times the Costellos have had on holiday.Whilst the Costellos spent time away from their home while the makeover team was doing its transformation, the other residents in the small estate of War Memorial Bungalows (not homes) did not have such an easy time. The entrance to the houses is very small and with low loaders, cranes, piles of turf, plants, a large television crew and team, the few days of the makeover proved quite trying. However, the Costellos’ friends and neighbours on the estate are delighted for them and put up with the inconvenience with kind forbearance.

15

This newsletter is printed using recycled paper. Do you want to comment on or contribute to the newsletter? If so, contact Anna MacLeod, Haig Homes Newsletter Editor, Alban Dobson House, Green Lane,

Morden, Surrey SM4 5NS. 020 8685 5777 fax 020 8685 5778 email anna@haighomes.org.uk deadline for contributions 15 March 2013Charity Registration No 207318 Scottish Charity Registration Number SC 038321

D U M P

THIS IS YOUR NEWSLETTERIs there something in it for you?

If you feel that this newsletter doesn’t include anything from your estate....don’t complain ... send something in. Let us know of your celebrations, anniversaries or commemorations in your area. Do you have a ‘social group’ or is there anything you want to say about your estate? Or do you want to know more about the history of your estate for example? If you need translations of any Haig information, or need a translator for any verbal communication with Haig Homes, please make contact with our Head Office to arrange this. You can contact the office by telephoning 020 8685 5777 or by writing to: Haig Homes, Alban Dobson House, Green Lane, Morden, Surrey SM4 5NS.

If you need copies of any Haig information in LARGE PRINT or BRAILLE, please contact

HAIG HOMES, ALBAN DOBSON HOUSE, GREEN LANE, MORDEN, SURREY SM4 5NS or telephone 020 8685 5777

Haig braiNteaserWe hope you enjoyed the brainteasers in our last newsletter – the answers are on the left hand side below

Blood is thicker than water

arctic circle

Down in the dumps

Hot under the collar

add injury to insult

Free for all

First person singular

Just between you and me

an inside job

High IQ

Mixed doubles

tee total

Head and shoulders above the rest

Three degrees below zero

Neon light (Knee on)

blood

H2O

NOAH’S BOAT

BLOODSUCKER

IN A RING

DUMP

Goose Feathers

DUMP

D U M P

COLLAR

102 degreesINJURY + INSULT

ALLALLALLALL

GRATIS

PERSONPERSONSPERSONSPERSONS

JUST

YOU ME JOBAN

I Q GH JKLMNOP RST

LOSEDUB

TENNIS

T+T+T

= 3T

HEAD+SHOULDERSARMS BODY

LEGS ANKLESFEET TOES

0........B.ScPh.DM.A.

KNEELIGHT

Christmas and New Year Opening TimesFriday 21st December – office closed from 12.00 noon

Monday 24th December – Wednesday 26th December – office closedThursday 27th December and Friday 28th December – office openMonday 31st December and Tuesday 1st January – office closed

Wednesday 2nd January – normal office hours resume

HaigHomesHousing the ex-Service Community

HaigHaigHaig Housing Trust

Coming Home at the Natural History MuseumOn November 1st, Haig held its first major fundraising event for the Coming Home campaign. The glittering event was held at the Natural History Museum in London with over 400 people seated for dinner in the Central Hall in the company of ‘Dippy’ the dinosaur. With celebrity Master of Ceremonies, Alexander Armstrong, entertainment from Classic Entertainment, The Swingle Singers, The Army Big Band and Alton Edwards, the evening was sponsored by BNY Mellon and aimed to raise funds to provide adapted housing for wounded and disabled Service people. With an auction led by entertaining auctioneer Charlie Ross, the evening raised almost £200,000. Auction lots included ‘money can’t buy’ items such as a flight in a Lancaster Bomber, a private tour of the Crown Jewels, a drive in a 1908 Rolls Royce currently insured for £20m and many other wonderful experiences and opportunities. We are immensely grateful for the generosity of the people who donated such marvellous items and for those who took tables at the event and bid significant amounts of money to add to the overall success of the evening.

FURTHER FUNDRAISING EVENTS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR 2013 INCLUDING:29th June: Coronation Charity Ball in the magnificent Royal Ascot triple decked marqueeJuly – date tbc: Regimental Boxing Dinner Blues and Royals versus the Household Calvary9th September: Charity cricket match at the beautiful central London HAC cricket ground with a

celebrity team versus the Coming Home Cricket Team21st September: Dinner and Dance on board the Royal Yacht Britannia with the Blues and Royals

For further information on the Coming Home campaign please see page 4

Newsletter

AUTUMN 2012

Guests dine in the shadow of the famous dinosaur in the towering Gothic Central Hall Piper Major Roger Huth outside the magnificent Natural History Museum greeting guests as they arrive

For Office Opening Hours over the Christmas and New Year period, please see back page