Issue 33 - May 2014

This newsletter is brought to you by the Penkside Community Champions who volunteer their time to improve the area they live in. Who are the Champions, you may ask, and what do they do? In a nutshell they are a group of local people interested in working together to make improvements to local services and try to solve issues in the community at ground level. We recently caught up with one of the Champions and asked her why she gets involved. Not only running the Community Choir Rachel also took on the role of Chair of the organisation and the responsibility that it brings.

What do you do? - I’m currently Chair of the Penkside Community Champions and lead the Penkside Community Choir who meet every Friday evening at St Peter’s Community Centre between 7pm—8.30pm.

Does it take a lot of time? - The role of Chair has the responsibility of keeping an overview of all the projects the group are involved with. Leading the Choir is a weekly commitment with people relying on you to run the evening rehearsal and keep it interesting. Other volunteers help deliver the newsletter in their street, help to run the youth club, Community Café and others just help at one off events during the year. That’s the beauty of the scheme, you can get involved as much or as little as you want.

Why do you do it? - I like to feel that I’m doing something for others, helping other people to enjoy and share their experiences. Volunteering gives me a connection to the place that I live in. It becomes more than just somewhere I eat and sleep. I’ve made new friends and we have quite a giggle at Choir. It beats sitting at home watching rubbish on TV and getting bored.

So if you could turn the clock back, would you still

get involved? - Definitely, and I would recommend anyone to get involved in their own community.

To become a Community Champion just contact our Community Organiser Stewart Bishop on Tel 07738 729889

or check out our website at www.penkside.btck.co.uk

S i l k m o r e Children’s Centre now has it’s very own community café, run by willing volunteers and

open every Wednesday and Thursday between 9.00am to 12.30pm. A selection of breakfast and Lunch menus to choose from at very reasonable prices. If successful we hope to extend the opening hours to other days in the week. Come and visit us and enjoy a freshly cooked meal in a friendly atmosphere.

Meadow Road Park

In 2013 Meadow Road Park

was awarded the Queen

Elizabeth II Fields in Trust

status which means the

Park is now protected for

future generation to enjoy.

With the recent addition of

the new play equipment

and outdoor gym it is

hoped to attract more

people to use the park.

Further work is being done

to create a nature reserve on

the surrounding flood plains

to link the whole site. Please

support this initiative and

visit the park and take

advantage of this great

facility available to everyone

Inside this issue your very

own cut out and display

No Trader Card.

For more information and details of our Menu check

out our website www.penkside.btck.co.uk

Hate Crime Awareness

Wednesday 14th May

10.00am - 12.00pm Thirlmere Way Day Centre, Thirlmere Way, Stafford. ST17 9EJ

Introduction to Microsoft Powerpoint

Wednesday 21st May

10.00am - 12.00pm Holmcroft Youth & Community Centre, Newlands Avenue, Stafford ST16 1NL

Level 2 Healthier Food and Special Diets

Thursday 22nd May

9.30am - 4.30pm Stafford Children’s Centre Faraday Road, Stafford. ST16 3NQ

Cooking a speedy family Tea

Tuesday 27th May

2.00pm - 4.00pm Dixon Community Centre, Tedder Road, Stafford. ST16 3RA

DIY Garden Planter Wednesday 4th June

1.00pm - 4.00pm B & Q Meir Park, Whittle Road, Stoke on Trent. ST3 7QA

Dog Ownership Workshop

Friday 13th June

10.30am - 11.30am Holmcroft Youth & Community Centre, Newlands Avenue, Stafford ST16 1NL

Sign Language Monday 16th June

10.00am - 12.00pm Thirlmere Way Day Centre, Thirlmere Way, Stafford. ST17 9EJ

Introduction to Ipads and Tablets

Wednesday 18th June

10.00pm - 12.00pm Holmcroft Youth & Community Centre, Newlands Avenue, Stafford ST16 1NL

Community Learning Programme 2014

The full programme for 2014 can be accessed on SARH website (www.sarh.co.uk) or you can request a hard copy to be sent to you. To book your place or for more information contact the

Community Involvement Team on 0800 111 4554 or email cp@sarh.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can register through our Facebook page ‘Community Learning Programme’.

Penkside in

the Past

Silkmore Lane has

changed a lot since

this 1920’s photo

was taken in the

area of the old

S i l k m o r e H a l l .

Today’s view shows

the Flats to Hall

Close on the left and you can still see some of the

existing boundary wall to the houses on the left.

Do you have any old pictures of the Penkside Area

showing how it looked years gone by. We would

love to see them and build up a photo history of the

area. Contact Stewart Bishop on Tel 01785 356112

or mobile 07738 729889 for more information.

Then…….

Now…….

After many long months of building work the final

stages have been completed on the Sidney Avenue

complex (pictured left)

Penkside Transformation

Stafford and Rural Homes are marching

into spring with the Total Place 1 project

moving forward at

great speed.

The boundary and

other improvements to Perrin Close (pictured right) are in

the final stages with some homes in Sidney Avenue already completed.

Bids have been returned from contractors for the remaining streets and houses in Penkside, and

customers will shortly be receiving letters explaining

what works are being done along with timescales for

completion.

Exeter Street flats (pictured left) are the next big project with works due to begin very soon. A second

Public Information Event and Exhibition will be held the middle May – look out for posters and invitation

letters for full details. We are looking forward to

talking to as many customers as possible about these exciting plans.

STAFFORD and rural homes

Working with the Community