Update from our AGM 17th Nov 2010

We had our AGM today which was a great success. A good cross-section of activists came along to discuss our events over the past year, to assess where we are and where we want to go from here.

There was a lot of enthusiasm for developing more projects - the most popular one seemed to be the relaunch of the Byker Phoenix community newspaper so we will progress with this as a matter of priority as both a printed newspaper and as an online magazine.

We want to continue with our environmental projects around the estate and met with Colin Riley, The Byker Housing Manager, last week to progress ideas to improve Raby Street.

Another popular idea is a regular lawn bowls event at Headlam Street - this can happen again when the season starts in May 2011.

There was a call for a social space to be open daily for people to drop in and socialise. There were a few ideas where this could be.

So keep watching this space for exciting things happening around the estate. The momentum is building! See you here soon.

Here is our stall!

Quuite impressive I think!

Bolam Coyne Info Event 16th Sept 2010

The Society took part in this information event for residents of Raby Cross and the surrounding area. It was definately a learning curve for me. RES set up a stall outside of the building, with a table cloth, plants, photographs, books, newspaper cuttings, apples and I (heart) Byker badges. We did this because we like living there, know a few people in the area and basically like humanity and engaging with people.

We had a good day. It is interesting to see the response from different age groups: the under 12s are so enthusiastic about everything, the teenage lads kind of like hanging around being a bit reluctant to want to look interested, many of the adults just are not interested, but some were persuaded to come and get a plant and voice their opinion - which was mainly 'It is shocking that the Council allowed Bolam Coyne to get in to such a mess in the first place and then leave it for 10+' which is a very good question for which I doubt we will ever get an answer!

So here is onwards and upwards!

But looking on the bright side we did a few tours for Heritage Open Days in September:

August visit to Bolam Coyne

We dropped by to discuss details with the landscape designers. The Coyne is in a sad state.

Byker Bowling Event - photos

And a great day was had by all.

Heritage Open Days 2010

We had a series of walking tours arranged over the weekend around the Byker Redevelopment: the sheltered housing schemes (Mount Pleasant, Avondale House and Tom Collins House; a general introduction to the Byker Redevelopment and an update on progress at Bolam Coyne. We had a great bunch of people along, including Roger Tillotson who designed Avondale House. Colin Haylock from Ryder Architects came along to update everyone on Bolam Coyne too. So thanks to both of them for making the events more personalised.

Roll on 2011.