September 2012 ISSUE 47 PIONEER NEWS Autumn 2012

People making the news in the St. Peter’s area of Ashton-u-Lyne Ashton Pioneer Homes play their part in tribute

A commemorative plaque acknowledging the personal achievement of Ashton born star George Formby senior along with his contribution to our cultural heritage was unveiled on Saturday 2nd June.

Born into poverty in 1875 at 26 Hodgson Street he was forced as a child to sing in Ashton’s streets to earn money to buy food. What had started as a means of survival turned out to be the beginning of a glittering and illustrious career. One which eventually saw him become one of the country’s highest paid entertainers and household names. He was also a firm favourite with King George V and Queen Mary for whom he had the honour of entertaining on more than one occasion. Tenant Donna Flanagan of 65 Welbeck Street South at the corner of Hodgson Street kindly allowed the publicly funded plaque to be erected at her home. Peter Marland, Director of Housing Services at Ashton Pioneer Homes said,

“We are delighted to have played a part in honouring an Ashton legend”. The plaque was erected following a campaign by Mossley resident Trevor Rowley and local writers Philip & David Williams. Richmond Park resident Philip said, “Of all the greatest stars of British music hall none was greater, more distinguished and certainly none as courageous as George Formby senior and it’s wonderful to finally see the plaque in place”.

A large crowd which included Mrs Joyce Bowerman Councillor for St. Peter’s Ward along with members of the George Formby (junior) Society gathered to witness Formby’s Granddaughter Geraldine Smith unveil the plaque in his honour. The event was also featured on Granada Reports and a link to this and full YouTube video coverage of the ceremony can be found at hoydpublishing.co.uk Geraldine Smith (centre) unveiling the plaque in honour of her grandfather, George Formby Senior. THE FLAME ARRIVES IN ASHTON Before the Olympic Games started in London, the flame was carried There it was greeted with a carnival atmosphere with music, dance demonstrations and various to Ashton from Salford Quays passing through Beswick, Droylsden art acts. The flame then continued down towards Oldham where it received a similar welcome. People in Ashton were lining the streets just to get a glimpse or photograph of this historic and finally into Ashton. occasion. They were treated to a cavalcade of vehicles of the organisers, sponsors music float and countless numbers of police out riders we all thought the President of the USA had arrived. Guarded by out runners the flame passed by with no problem and everyone had a great time. Children can tell their children, we saw the flame in Ashton-under-Lyne, when our country was privileged to host the Olympics. By Philip and David Hoyd, Resident Reporters.

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Inside... Tameside Council A Guide to Basic Reach for Concord Mobility APH Benefits Online Bank Accounts the skies Strike Olympic Gold Jubilee Style 2 Pioneer News Autumn 2012 HOUSING MANAGEMENT ASHTON PIONEER HOMES JOINED THE HOMESWAPPER SERVICE IN APRIL 2012. This service allows our tenants to register their interest in completing a Mutual Exchange with tenants of other registered social landlords across the country and with other Ashton Pioneer Homes tenants. Ashton Pioneer Homes are a registered details. If you don’t have access to the partner of HomeSwapper so the service internet you can use the public library or is free for all our tenants. If your current come into our office to use the computer home is too big or too small for you this to register for HomeSwapper and to may be an easier way for you to move to check your HomeSwapper account. the home that’s perfect for your family’s needs; especially with the future changes to Housing Benefit. HomeSwapper will find matching properties for you and either email or send you a text with the www.homeswapper.co.uk Pigeon Nuisance

We are continuing to experience problems with pigeons on our DOG FOULING estates causing a nuisance, mainly due to the fact that tenants are feeding them! Tenants are responsible for their dogs and their visitors dogs! This has led to an increase in numbers • Yellow Mealworm Beetle • Offending is a breach of your pet policy on our estates where they have • Blowflies adapted well to the artificial cliffs • Biscuit Beetle • A breach of the pet policy is a breach of the tenancy agreement of buildings and have become a • Cheese Mite pest fouling buildings, pavements, • It is an offence for a dog owner not to clean up after their dog • Spider Beetles communal areas and transmitting • Flour Mite • Failure to do so could result in a £1000 council fine diseases. They rely mainly on food • Pigeon Tick scraps, bread, cakes and birdseed • Common Bird Mite What are the solutions? given to them by you! Other problems include:- • Encourage your dog to ‘go’ in your garden if you have one, The birds normally feed in flocks and • Blocked gutters and downpipes are highly efficient in finding roosting the mess can then be buried or alternatively bagged up which can cause water damage by places near to a food source where and binned seepage coming into the property. they will wait until they can feed • Always carry a means to clean up after your dog when undisturbed unless they know the • Chimneys being blocked causing walking it - a plastic bag or a poop scoop would do person who feeds them at a regular smoke problems or gasses such as time of day. carbon monoxide being forced back into the property. • If you are using communal areas, please remember to Why are feral pigeons bad news? poop -a-scoop and dispose of mess correctly • Droppings and nesting on The fouling of buildings and balconies. monuments frequently occurs at places where they roost and nest. The These problems lead to increased acidic droppings react with chemicals costs of maintenance and risk of in the stonework causing erosion nuisance to neighbouring properties. of the surfaces. Accumulations of Large numbers of roosting pigeons droppings can become infested with also give rise to odour and noise mites and insects, which are pests of complaints, not to mention the risk to stored products and houses. health and safety in terms of slipping hazards on pavements. They carry many dangerous diseases! How can you help us to control the pigeons? The following organisms and insects can be associated with birds, their The only effective way to control nests and droppings: pigeons and other pest species of birds is to remove food sources, • Varied Carpet Beetle roosting sites and breeding sites. • Case-bearing Clothes Moth • Fur Beetle So please help us by NOT feeding • Brown House Moth the pigeons, and dispose of all • Larder Beetle rubbish in the correct way! • Lesser House fly Pioneer News Autumn 2012 3 HOUSING MANAGEMENT

Tameside Councils Benefits Online Self-service - Now accessible at APH for all tenants!

You can now view all your benefits, council tax and business rates information online, with TMBC’s new self-service system. However, as not everyone has internet access in their homes APH are providing access in the Margaret House Office. This can be used during office hours and is available to all tenants who wish to check their Housing Benefits or maybe wish to make a new claim. Just come into the office and enquire at reception, where a member of staff will assist you. Remember – Any change of circumstance information for your Housing Benefits can be verified at our office and forwarded to the Housing Benefits Department for you! TOWER IMPORTANT BLOCK CAR INFORMATION PARKS FROM GMP

We have received several complaints regarding Children playing out There have been a series of burglaries where offenders have entered in the car park gated areas of the TOWER BLOCKS. through unlocked doors and windows, these incidents have happened during the day and night and are preventable. Please could you pass We wish to remind and strongly advise parents not to allow your on the following advice to residents: children to play in the car park area as it is extremely dangerous with vehicles regularly coming and going. There have been a number of insecurity For further security advice visit burglaries. That means that the offender www.gmp.police.uk. If you have any got into the house/flat by going through information on a suspect or offender, Ashton Pioneer Homes holds no responsibility for accidents an unlocked door or open window. you should tell your local Police by happening in the car park. To avoid any injury we strongly request Please do everything you can to protect phoning 101. If you would prefer you that you educate family and visitors not to allow their children out yourselves from burglary: can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, on to the car park to play. • Keep your doors and windows closed without giving your name. and locked. • Fit a light timer device in your main May we remind you that if children damage a vehicle the children’s rooms to make your home appear parents could be liable for the costs via the vehicle owner’s insurers occupied. or be prosecuted for Criminal Damage. • Keep your keys out of view but in an easily accessible place, avoid leaving anything of value on view such as I also advise that all vehicle owners park in the car park at their mobile phones, handbags, car keys etc own risk. Ashton Pioneer Homes is not responsible for any damage • Ask for callers’ identification and to vehicles, should damage occur owners are advised to contact check it. their insurers. • Fitting a Burglar alarm and using it will greatly improve your household security. Ashton Pioneer Homes have signage displayed asking parents • Register you property FREE on line by not to allow their children to play in the car parks for health logging on to www.immobilise.com and safety reasons. • Insecurity burglaries may not be covered by insurance companies, remember to check the terms of Your support would be appreciated! your policy. 4 Pioneer News Autumn 2012 CUSTOMER SERVICES NOTICES

NEW STARTERS A GUIDE TO BASIC BANK ACCOUNTS & DIRECT DEBITS

Harry Rob Basic bank accounts are available to everyone from most banks. Hi, I am Henry Moore, otherwise known Hi, I am Rob Broadbent, and I am The Government has stated that banks need to make a ‘basic bank as Harry but let’s not complicate things! I covering for Alison Kenworthy’s position account’ available to everyone, including those with poor credit am the latest addition to the Ashton as Housing Services Officer whilst she is records. Opening a bank account is easy and makes managing your Pioneer Housing team doing a 2 year on Maternity Leave. So I should be Modern Apprenticeship. I have been in around until April 2013!! I started at APH finances easy too. the role for a few months now and have in June, and I have obviously met a few Why open a bank account? Setting up a Direct Debit already met a few of yourselves and those residents in my time here already. I have This couldn’t be simpler, complete one of of you I haven’t I am very excited to do so. a long history of working in Social • Provides a route to many other the forms (available from our front Away from work I am a keen sportsman, Housing, and have worked at various banking services counter) and we’ll do the rest. N.B you’ll playing rugby and cricket. I have played organisations over the last 20 odd years, • Helps build a banking history be protected by the Direct Debit these for many years and see them as an mainly as a Housing Officer. Away from • You can make automated payments guarantee given by the banks and ideal release from the stressful job of work I am a keen sports fan, too keen so such as paying bills by direct debit. building societies. You will require your working with the girls in the office! says my other half. I have my first baby Often there are discounts if you pay bank account details and your APH Through November I will be embarking due in November so I am hoping that I this way account reference number, which can be on an exchange through the St Peters wont have too many sleepless nights. I found on your rent card. Once we have Partnership to work in France for a month. am very grateful for the experience that • Budgeting is made easier as paying received your instruction, we will set the I am very grateful for the experience that I have been presented with at APH and bills by direct debit spreads payments Direct Debit up with your bank within the I have been presented with and hope to look forward to working with residents out on a monthly basis next 14 days. We will then aim to collect bring back some French flair to APH! over the coming months. • Cashing cheques can be difficult and expensive without a bank account your payment on your preferred date. Jenni Amending your Direct Debit • You can pay your landlord by standing My name is Jenni Earith and recently I order or direct debit If you would like to amend any of the joined Ashton Pioneer Homes as a details on your Direct Debit, the payment “Can I have my Housing Benefit paid into Modern Apprentice in Customer Service. date, payment frequency or bank details, my bank account”? When I left high school I decided to please contact us as soon as possible in study catering and hospitality for 3 Yes, we can pay your Housing Benefit into order for us to action the amendment.. years to become a chef, I wanted to be a the account by BACS transfer. When you Cancelling your Direct Debit Michelin star chef like Gordon Ramsey have opened an account, contact the or Jamie Oliver. I gained 3 NVQ’s and a Benefits Service on 0161 342 3708 for You can cancel your Direct Debit at any received gold in a competition I further information. time by writing to your bank or building society. You will also need to inform APH competed in. Once I finished college I What services do most basic bank in writing so that we can update the worked in various restaurants as a chef/ accounts have? Alistair waitress but as much as I love cooking I payment details on your account. You • Free automated transaction such as We are pleased to announce that Alistair think I’ll stick to cooking in small should be aware that if your Direct Debit direct debit Rogers has joined the Maintenance quantities for now. In my spare time I payment is returned unpaid by your bank Team as an Estates Services Apprentice. love to read, watch films, cook (what a • A cash card for use at cash machines without prior notification to APH an admin charge of £8.50 will be incurred Alistair’s appointment in May follows surprise) and camping, well it’s more • Telephone banking his 3 month placement with Ashton and charged to your account. like glamping if I’m honest. I’m really Most basic bank accounts allow you to Pioneer Homes on a scheme providing Profiling excited to see what’s in store for me access your cash free of charge at any work experience to young people working at Ashton Pioneer Homes and post office using your cash card. Most In order to ensure that we are in a position seeking work. The apprenticeship is for where it will take me. basic bank accounts do not give you a to help our customers with the new 2 years and during this time he will cheque book, overdraft or debit card. benefit changes we will be contacting attend Oldham College on a course you all to ensure we have the most up to The Benefits of Paying by Direct Debit leading to his NVQ in Painting & date information on you and your family. Decorating. Alistair is a local lad from Direct Debit is the simplest and most If you claim housing benefit to help pay Mossley; his interests include reading, convenient way to pay your rent, saving your rent you may be affected by the watching films, and supporting you time as your bill is paid automatically. changes from April 2013. The changes will Manchester United. Whilst his early You can choose when in the month the mean that some people will get less work on the Estate will be under the payment is made, giving you greater housing benefit than they did before. If direction and supervision of Paul (R) and control over your money. You can pay you would like advice on how this could Paul (T) our two regular decorators, either weekly or monthly, whichever is affect you then please don’t delay contact Alistair is looking forward to the day most convenient for you. You can pay by us today. We will also be putting regular when his confidence and competence Direct Debit for all APH services, rent, updates and information relating to the allows him to work without direct car parking and rechargeable repairs. changes on our Facebook page and supervision in one of our properties. displayed in our reception area.

You can now You can now follow follow APH APH on Facebook: on Twitter www.facebook.com/ @AshtonPioneer ashtonpioneer Pioneer News Autumn 2012 5 CUSTOMER SERVICES NOTICES

APH on Tenant Satisfaction Our main Facebook page now has a massive 152 likes! Surveys…

Please visit our page at www.facebook.com/ashtonpioneer and like us if you have not already done so! It is already proving to be a fast, effective way of communication between In order to increase your chances of us and our customers as well as keeping our residents in the know as and when things may winning £25 of vouchers for a store happen. For more information, contact the Customer Services Team on 0161 343 8128 or of your choice in Ashton-Under- follow the link above and ‘like’ us on Facebook. Lyne all you need to do is make sure you return the repair questionnaires that are sent to you when repairs are completed, Not only does it help us improve our repair service to you but you can We still have a Twitter page and have built up a lot of followers also win a prize, so send yours back made up from tenants and other agencies alike! If you have a today! Here’s a few of our lucky Twitter account, then why not follow us …??? winners from the last few months:- Visit www.twitter.com/ashtonpioneer to find out more… April – 10 Hanover Court May – 82 Bentinck House June – 104 Margaret House Congratulations to you all! The Pioneer People page is still Plenty of pictures will be posted going strong! We designed frequently on this page to this to centre the brilliant work encourage networking and to PIONEER and projects that our residents give people more of an idea of do within the community. It what’s on offer. Why not visit PEOPLE really promotes the good the page at www.facebook. things that our residents do com/pioneerpeople and have for our community! a look!

NOTICE: Complaints & OFFICE CLOSURE Please note that our office Feedback will be closed on Wednesday We have reviewed the way we will the 10th of October for staff report Complaints and Feedback and from the next edition of the newsletter we will report the training. If you have an percentage of complaints upheld emergency to report please and the service area it relates to. If you would like to pay us a compliment or if you have a comment or complaint to contact our Neighbourhood make then please complete one of our C Cards, attached in this newsletter or contact our Customer Service Team on 339 9377. Services Team on: 343 8128 Resident Reporters Stepping out into your local community

CHARLIE Trivia Quiz CHAPLIN Once again your grey cells will be tested. Mr Poiriot and I have got together and compiled by Philip and David Hoyd, a quiz that is sometimes hard but not that hard for the younger Resident Reporters members of the family and friends group. Do not cheat and ask your computer or reference books get together with family and The famous silent film star Charlie friends and enjoy. GOOD LUCK! Chaplin forever remembered as the loveable tramp was born in 1. Who was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170? the East End of London on April 2. Who is the worlds best selling crime writer? 16th 1889. His parents were both 3. Who painted the laughing cavalier? music hall artistes and the young 4. Stan Laurel was British - true or false? Charlie made his first stage 5. Which popular ice cream manufacturer has over appearance with them when he 28 different names worldwide? was only five years old. 6. What is a waterspout?

At the age of eight, 7. When was the first cricket match played at lords? Charlie was living 8. Who invented the dynamo? in Longsight, 9. Who was the star of Crocodile Dundee? Manchester and for a few years later he joined the famed was registered as a Fred Karno troupe, with which he toured 10. Which horror character did Bram Stoker create? the country and appeared in Ashton at pupil at the 11. What did the ugly duckling grow up to be? Mortem Street Day the then Empire-Hippodrome on Oldham School, Ardwick. It Road. In those same years another 12. What nationality was Prince Henry The Navigator? was in Manchester member of Fred Kamo’s troupe was 13. Who scored a hat trick in the 1966 World Cup? born Stan Jefferson, later to that he joined 14. Who killed Goliath? ‘Jackson’s Eight Lancashire Lads’, a well- become famous as Stan Laurel. When known clog-dancing act that toured Karno took his troupe for a second trip to 15. What was Van Goghs first name? America in 1913, the two comedians around the North of England. Between 16. Who had a UK chart topper in 1966 with ‘Distant Drums’? 1903 and 1906 he was back touring the roomed together in New York. During Northern theatre circuit in a stage version that tour Chaplin was spotted by film 17. Who painted the Mona Lisa? of Sherlock Holmes in which he played producer Mack Sennett, who offered him 18. Who led the Cuban Revolution in 1959? Billy the paperboy. When the show work at his Keystone Studios. Chaplin, of 19. Who wrote the James Bond books? opened in Ashton, at the old Theatre course, accepted, and was soon destined Royal on Oldham Road, he and some of to become the highest paid actor in the 20. Which lift has the longest travel distance in the world? world, appearing in films like ‘Easy Street’, the cast were staying the week in a local We hope you have done well however one more for the grey cells lodging house on Cavendish Street. On ‘The Kid’ and ‘The Gold Rush’. When his the Tuesday, the day after the show had film ‘The Great Dictator’ played Ashton in think very carefully: opened Charlie was in the kitchen talking 1941 it did so simultaneously at three to the landlady, while outside a passing cinemas ‘The Pavilion’, ‘The Majestic’ and Humpty Dumpty in the rhyme was an egg but what was Humpty chimney sweep noticed flames coming the ‘Odeon’ all of which had house full Dumpty in real life (hint think of a war)? from the smokestack. The sweep who was signs in place. Although for almost 40 well known locally for frequently being years he had made America his home he Think you have solved them? Answers on page 8. drunk was in this usual state as he burst in never gave up his British citizenship – and to the kitchen swearing loudly and in 1975 he was knighted by the Queen. demanding water to throw on to the fire. He died of old age in the early hours of After doing so, while still staggering Christmas day 1977 leaving behind a about and with every other word an legacy of classic films and music. obscenity he demanded payment for his Concord Mobility deed. The landlady, unaccustomed to being spoken to in this manner took great displeasure and told him to leave at once. At which point, the sweep still uttering Strike Olympic Gold profanities began to physically attack the woman. The young Charlie having By Resident Reporter Ken Newton observed the whole incident was quite intimidated but still tried valiantly to Philip Rawlison hit the jackpot when after over 12 months negotiating with the assist the landlady – firstly by kicking at Olympic organizers, Philip the owner of the small mobility shop in Dukinfield won the man, catching him a good blow to his the contract to supply 50 scooters and wheel chairs to the Olympic venue in London shin and secondly by fetching help from it took a team of 6 men 1 week to assemble and check the scooters and chairs which another member of the cast. By the time will cover most mobility needs. Meanwhile back at the shop assistant manager Charlie returned, the sweep had decided Donna Taylor sales staff Samantha Poplansky and Janet Walker and engineer Tony to cut and run. However, he was later Pough supply and services mobility equipment Philip is staying in London looking apprehended by the police and appeared after the scooters and wheel chairs until September when he returns all mobility in court the following week, which equipment used in London will be on sale at a discount price well done Philip and necessitated the return to Ashton of concord mobility for providing a needed service concord staff deserved an Olympic Charlie to appear as a witness. Happily, gold medal. The address to the store is 229 Droylsden Road Audenshaw Contact this was not Charlie’s last visit to Ashton, number is 0161 370 2661 6 Resident Reporters Stepping out into your local community

Interview with Sensei Dan of Cougar Ki Martial Arts By Nicola Woods

Nicola interviewed Sensei Dan of Cougar Ki Martial Arts Club, Westend Methodist Church

Q How many years have you been doing martial arts and what Q What makes your club different to others? got you interested in it? A I am the only club in the area that is recognised and registered with A My mum reminded me it’s been 25 years! I started at 7 years old! The English Karate Organisation, (E.K.O) We offer cheap training Like most people that start in martial arts I was being bullied not fees, 1st lesson free, no joining fee, cheap license fee and seminars. just in school out of school too. It was my dad who said “enough Students have opportunities to train with other clubs. We also have is enough, you’re going to learn how to defend yourself”. E.K.O annual Championships. He dragged me by the ear kicking and screaming to the local club! That was in 1987! Thanks Mum and Dad for getting me involved Q What would you say to anyone thinking of giving it a go? in Martial Arts! A Nothing to lose 1st lesson is free, try before you join. Members can Q What motivated you to start up your own club in west end? start at 4, the whole family is welcome to train in a friendly environment with an approachable instructor. A I noticed that there wasn’t much in the area for kids to do, with being a local, brought up and raised round here, I thought it was FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: time to give something back to the community. No better way to pass on what I have learnt over the years and for others to benefit SENSEI DAN (3RD DAN) ON 07770691439 from Martial Arts. Reach for the skies By Resident Reporter Peter Glenn

Not many people realise the importance of donations to a good cause, however the members of REACH and community groups do.

At a monthly meeting of REACH, after agreed to act as co-ordinator between discussion, it was decided that a the air ambulances, the groups worthwhile organisation would be the and REACH treasurer Jennifer Boff. North West Air Ambulance, currently Fund raising started at the Jubilee based at the City of Manchester Celebrations and continued to escalate Airport(Barton Aerodrome). The air through donations from various people ambulance attends up to 10 missions and groups. per day, saves lives across 5500 square miles, and carries sophisticated medical The result of the fundraising took place equipment and highly trained at the airport on 3rd August 2012 where paramedics. It costs £4.2 million per year a cheque of £160 was presented to a to run the lifesaving service as no representative of the air ambulance. mainstream or national lottery funding Unfortunately the helicopter was on is available. Only the support of the a mission so was not available for a general public and groups such as photo shoot. I would like to thank all REACH helps maintain the service. the people involved special thanks to Alan Eckersley for driving us there, it REACH member Terry Woolley brought just goes to show community spirit is this to the attention of the group and still alive. Terry Woolley presenting the cheque to North West Air Ambulance. 7 Resident Reporters Stepping out into your local community

Charlie Creeper

Summer is here Charlie is looking forward to the rich pickings for example Garden tools etc. Garden sheds with 50p locks on. Windows left open to keep your house cool whilst you have gone to for the day follow the rule lock up and shut up remember if you can get into your house without a key so can Charlie Creeper.

by Ken Newton, Resident Reporter

You can now follow APH on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ ashtonpioneer

TRIVIA QUIZ ANSWERS HOW DID YOU DO? You can now follow 1: Thomas A Becket 6: A Tornado Over Water 11: A Swan 16: Jim Reeves 1-4 Poor REACH on Twitter 2: Agatha Christie 7: 22 June 1814 12: Portugese 17: Leonardo Da Vinci 4-8 Not Bad 3: Frans Hals 8: Faraday 13: Geoff Hurst 18: Fidel Castro 8-13 Good @ReachAshton 4: True 9: Paul Hogan 14: David 19: Ian Fleming 13-16 Very Good 5: Walls 10: Dracula 15: Vincent 20: Burj Kalifa Building In Abu 16-20 Excellent 8 Humpty Dumpty Was A Cannon Resident Reporters Stepping out into your local community

Healthy Option Recipe GEORGE FORMBY SNR from the Cook to Eat Course. by Resident Reporter Dee Wilson Treat yourselves to this easy dessert with its wonderful raspberry sauce.

Serves: 4 adults Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: 0 mins INGREDIENTS: • 250g lower fat soft cheese • 250g frozen raspberries defrosted, fresh would also • 125g low-fat vanilla yoghurt work well • 30g caster sugar • 8 sponge fingers broken • ½ lemon zest finely grated into pieces and 1tbsp juice

METHOD: • Beat the soft cheese with a wooden • Divide the sponge fingers between spoon until smooth and creamy, and 4 serving glasses or ramekin then stir in the yoghurt. Add 1 tbsp. dishes and spoon half the of caster sugar with the lemon zest raspberry mixture on top. Now and juice, mixing well. spoon the lemon mixture into the dishes and finish off with the rest • Put half the raspberries to one side, of the raspberry mixture. Keep in then puree the rest with a blender or the fridge until ready to serve. simply mash them with a fork or potato masher. Stir them into the whole raspberries and add the rest of the caster sugar. enjoy!

BENEFITS ARE CHANGING Donna outside her house where the plaque has been erected.

George Formby Senior was born James Booth in 1875 and lived on Hodgson Street, Ashton. A was unveiled to commemorate the Great Music Hall Artist. Ryan Williams hosted the unveiling with Special Guest, Geraldine Smith, George’s Granddaughter. Don’t get Ryan told people the life of George from his childhood of poverty, hardship and depravation when he developed bronchial problems, caught out. which didn’t stop him as he was hard working and had determination to reach to the top of stardom. He ended up to be one of the biggest Pick up this names and highest earners in the British Music Halls and was booked up for years after his death. FREE leaflet Even though being well in demand, he never forgot his home town and came back to play in pubs and the Music Halls. Even when at the in reception time of WW1, an explosion at a local munitions factory, he made time to support a relief fund that was to help victims and families of today! the 46 people who died, over a hundred hospitalized and homeless. He married Eliza Ann Hoy and had 6 children, one of which became famous on our screens, George Formby Junior.

9 10 Pioneer News Autumn 2012 REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE PLANNED MAINTENANCE SPEND

We are committed to all our properties meeting Decent Homes Standard and at the same time ensuring best value in the way our financial resources are spent. Our strategy to meet these requirements includes pulling together significant packages of work, tendering the works, and undertaking them as an identified Project. Recent examples have included to installation of new internal lighting at our Tower Blocks. For this year (the year to the end of March 2013) the following Projects are either underway or planned.

Structural Repairs to Tower Blocks- our the low rise properties on and off and the low rise properties in the stack will be CCTV’d to confirm its Tower Blocks are now over 50 years old Victoria Street. On completion they will Victoria Street area. improved condition. On completion and inevitably there are issues with the relocate to the Maisonette Blocks on Cleaning of Soil Stacks at Tower Blocks- work will commence to similar issues concrete structure which need to be Richmond Park to commence internal Some residents of our Tower Blocks may existing at the Tower Blocks on addressed. We have just completed and external decoration of the 5 blocks. have experienced problems with slow Richmond Park. Phase 1 of some essential concrete Further details of our programme for draining of their kitchen sink or the Bin Store Refurbishment- During this repairs to balconies on Richmond Park’s these works will be available shortly. wash hand basin the bathroom both of financial year it is proposed to carry of Tower Blocks. Further investigation to Installation of low energy ventilation which run into the vertical drainage work to refurbish each of the Bin Stores identify problems will continue and units- the latest generation of domestic pipe running through the corner of the of our 7 Tower Blocks. In addition to the Phase 2 of these repairs will be extract fans now include twin speed kitchen. Over time these pipes clog up complete redecoration of these undertaken later this year. Thank you units which run continuously at low with grease and other debris and important ground floor areas the works for the cooperation of tenants allowing speed with a high speed pull cord boost. blockages can result. Currently we have will include improved fire safety access to the works from their balcony. The installation of these units is a Project underway to clean and jet out measures, and refurbished hygiene Cyclical Painting- our in house painting proposed wherever practicable at each of the pipes (stacks) at West Park’s facilities. team are currently completing works to kitchens and bathrooms in Maisonettes 3 Tower Blocks. After cleaning each

RECHARGEABLE REPAIRS

As you may be aware Ashton decided to take this step. We Pioneer Homes operate a hope that you understand. rechargeable repair Policy. Typical rechargeable repairs This means that if we carry out a include; repair to your home that we are • Physical damage to fittings not responsible for you are liable e.g. kitchen units through for the cost of the work. For large miss-use, broken glazing cost items you will be asked to pay 50% of the cost of the work • Making good poor internal upfront. Too many ignore the fact decoration e.g. windows/vents that they have rechargeable repair painted over accounts and despite APH • Blocked sinks and waste pipes sending out numerous letters and If you have had any recent repairs contacting the resident they undertaken you will also be aware simply ignore the debt. of our appointments system We have therefore decided that which commits our contractors to if you have outstanding recharge turn up at your property within repairs and our requests for an agreed time period and payment have been ignored, commits you to making access we will only carry out essential available at the same time. If you repairs to your property until the fail to make access available you money owed is paid. We know should be aware that the cost of that many of our residents would an abortive visit may be considered not do this but in order to be as a rechargeable repair. fair to all our residents we have Pioneer News Autumn 2012 11 RESIDENT INVOLVEMENT

APH residents celebrated the Jubilee in style! There were lots going on during the afternoon. We had a bouncy assault course, dancing competitions, refreshments served by the Rough Diamonds. We had raffles, a white elephant stall, teddy tombola, and an arts and craft table. We had Lisa Anderson (APH resident) from Lili Face painting, she didn’t stop for a break all afternoon the kids just kept coming! A big Thank You to everyone that helped out on the day and volunteered their time. Everyone chipped in from baking cakes and making sandwiches to moving tables and putting up gazebos! Plus we raised a massive £160 for the Air Ambulance. Thank you to REACH and APH by Nicola Woods for making this possible. We look forward to more Fun Days to come!! If you would like to be involved in planning future events and Fun days please speak to Nicola Woods at Ashton Pioneer Homes on 0161 343 8128 or call in to the office.

The winner of the Food Hamper. Face Painting at the Jubilee Party. THE YELLOW BUS RACE FOR LIFE 2012 COMES TO THE ESTATE by Nicola Woods by Nicola Woods

Some of you may have spotted the big yellow bus outside Ryecroft House. 25 residents took advantage of the services that were on offer that day! The feedback has been amazing! Residents have been offered real help Will you be affected by the bedroom tax? and solutions to their problems. The CREDIT UNION: Purchase white goods at Yellow bus will be hitting the estate again affordable prices and a saving scheme to soon and here’s an idea of what will be on enable affordable loans. board. Look out for the yellow and blue flyer! Or call in to the office and speak to AFFORDABLE WARMTH: Help with utility me about it! bills. Are you eligible for lower tariff, are you in arrears? HEALTH TRAINERS: 1-1 support for residents needing help to develop a NEXT STEP: Advice and guidance on healthier lifestyle. careers and skills towards finding work. BENEFIT AND DEBT ADVICE: free Please contact Nicola for more information independent advice on benefits and debt. on 0161 343 8128 or call in to the office. The girls finishing the Race for Life. You do not want to miss this opportunity! Are you receiving the correct benefits? This year joining me for the Race for Life was Jenny, Olga, Olivia and Ruby! The sun definitely had his hat on that day! We have all been affected by cancer in some way so we wanted to join this race to help the fight against cancer! A big well done to Olivia and Ruby for taking part. Even at their young ages they too have felt the effects that cancer has on families. They had so much energy and couldn’t wait to get the finish line to collect their medals! We all had an emotional but fantastic day and are keen to do more fundraising in the future! Cancer Research UK doesn’t receive any Government funding for its ground-breaking work, so the money we raise through Race for Life is crucial because it means we can go on supporting the pioneering work of doctors, nurses and scientists who are fighting cancer on all fronts. So I hope to see more of you Pioneer People joining me next year!!

The Big Yellow Bus. 12 Pioneer News Autumn 2012 RESIDENT INVOLVEMENT

TENANT DIRECTOR ELECTION NEWS

Unfortunately no candidates have put themselves forward for the election process on to the Board this year. It will be recommended to the Board of Management at the October AGM for Ashton Pioneer Homes that Colin McCord is re-appointed as a Tenant Director for a further term of office. Colin as also Chair of Ashton Pioneer Homes and he has announced there will be a fundamental review of the tenant director election process. Senior managers are to make recommendations to the Board in March 2013 following a period of tenant consultation.

If you have any views, comments or recommendations on the tenant director election process please write to Tony To get this newsletter in Braille, large print or on tape: Berry, Chief Executive at Margaret House. Phone: 0161 343 8128 Text: 07624 802412 Email: [email protected]

Pioneer News is published by Ashton Pioneer Homes, Margaret House, Margaret Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7TH