Community Involvement - Tithe Farm
Hello My name is Hazel Simmons and I am the Community Development Officer for Tithe Farm, Houghton Regis. My role is to work with the local community to develop projects in the area and to assist voluntary and community groups with their development. I work as part of the Sustainable Development Team at South Beds District Council based at High Street North, Dunstable, Beds and you can contact me on 0845 849 6322.
Below is some information on my work that I am currently involved with. These groups meet on a regular basis in Tithe Farm so maybe you would like to drop in sometime.
Recycled Teenagers Group
This group has gone from success to success and now has a membership of around 45. They meet on the first Monday of each month from 10.30 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. at Memorial Hall, The Green, Houghton Regis. It is aimed at the over sixties from Tithe Farm and they run activities, go on visits and have a general “get together for a chat”. This year the group had a presentation on the history of Houghton Regis and Dunstable from the Archaeological Society, had manicures from Kingsland Campus Health and Beauty Department and made some very exciting jewellery items. They also visited the Bletchley Park National Codes Centre and kept themselves active through armchair exercise organised by the Primary Care Trust. If you think this is something you would like to be involved in please ring me to discuss further or turn up on the first Monday of any month.
Tithe Farm Tenants and Residents Association
This organisation meets on a monthly basis at the Tithe Farm Neighbourhood Centre, Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis. Beds. The Chair is Mike Jackson a local resident of many years who has many good ideas for activities for the future. This group represents local tenants and residents and its focus is on housing, the local environment, recycling, parking and traffic issues. It takes up issues raised by the local community with South Beds District Council and the Police and organises a regular “walkabout” with the Housing Officer for the area – so you may have seen them in you area. If anyone is interested in coming along the organisation meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 3.15 p.m. But if you would like further information do not hesitate to contact Mick Jackson on 01582 868 156 or Hazel Simmons on 0845 849 6322.
Neighbourhood Improvement Plan – Tithe Farm
Over the last few months we have been working on the development of a Neighbourhood Improvement Plan for Tithe Farm/Parkside. This has involved the local community in various activities including Coffee Mornings on both Tithe Farm and Parkside providing the opportunity for you to tell us any concerns around you local environment. The Neighbourhood Improvement Plan is due to be completed in September 2008 however, the Phase 1 Report on its development is available on www.tithefarmplan.org.uk if you would like to read up on where we are to date. I will provide more information on the plan once it is completed.
Stakeholder Policing North Houghton Regis
A Bedfordshire Police initiative has been developed within the Tithe Farm area that involved the Police and local residents agreeing a level and type of policing on the estate that would make residents feel that it was a safer community. A Stakeholder Policing Forum has been running for over a year now with good attendance from local residents. This initiative has provided the opportunity for residents to have a real say in how their area is policed and to work with the Police on an Action Plan to make this happen. If you would like further information on this initiative or to get information on meeting dates etc please do not hesitate to contact PC Graham Arnold on 01582 473 348.
These are just some of the activities I am involved in if you would like further information on these do not hesitate to contact me on 0845 849 6322 or by email at Hazel.Simmons@southbeds.gov.uk.
