The National Tenant Voice
| This information could be useful to many residents, it helps cut housing costs! http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2009/november-2009/dwp059-09-021109.shtml |
| Central Forum Away Day |
In 2009 the Central Forum had an idea. They had experienced a really stressful year. What with the new framework to work on, and the day-to-day running of an organisation that represents over 7,000 residents, things were coming to a head. They needed to think. They needed the time and the place to do it. So it was decided that they would have an Away Day at Five Lakes near Tiptree. It was somewhere to think and work together.
Please don't forget that CRF are volunteers. They don't get paid for what they do. That's quite a job, but worth it for the benefit of our communities.
They decided to have a day out to work on the agenda for the next 18 months. They were lucky to have the presence of Ray Canham (Resident Involvement Manager), even if he didn't start his official job until the following Monday. Thanks, Ray. There were so many things to work out, so many changes in the air. And it worked. This last year has proved it, if you noticed. Just take a look at the new framework. You might be surprised.
Getting away from the day-to-day environment and going to Five Lakes was a brilliant idea. So good, in fact, that they did it again this year on 26 February. They met again at the same place, out of the committee environment, and planned for the next 18 months. Wait unitl you see what a little bit of creative thinking can achieve. Just watch this space !
 Brains working overtime! L to R: Colin Rolfe, Mick Hill, Ruth Jarvis, David Stevenson, David Lazarus and Christa Bringloe |
Working together, David Lazarus and Christa Bringloe
The 'posh' table ponders issues. David, on the 'workers' table makes a point.
They all had a great creative day The ideas for progress were inspiring. This is the way to work. At the end of the day all went home tired, but happy. It's good to know where you are going in the next 18 months. So a big thanks to all. We hope that the plans work out. CRF Chair, Peter Coleing, announced that he will be stepping down this year. That means more changes to deal with but with the members of CRF working together like this, it's only a small hill, not a mountain, to climb.
Here they are! (l to r) Mark Shaw, Colin Rolfe, Ruth Jarvis, David Lazarus, Elizabeth Walker, Fiona Stirling, Karima Ali, Christa Bringloe, Tim Hatcher (front), Mick Hill and David Stevenson.
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EGM APPROVES CHANGES TO CRF CONSTITUTION The Central Forum has worked hard for several months to bring the CRF Consitution up to date and in line with recommendations of the Tenant Services Authority (TSA). Members and interested residents were invited to an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 18th February at Chelmsford City Football Club's social club to consider and vote on the main proposed changes to the Constitution. Thank you to all who turned out on such a rainy night. The most significant proposed changes were that:
Members unanimously voted for these changes. Full details of the amendments made to the Consitution will be found in the minutes of the EGM, which will shortly be posted on this website. Click on 'On Your Doorstep', then Central Residents' Forum.
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Self Help for people with Bi Polar Disorder
Central Forum member David Lazarus and others have recently formed a self help group for people with Bi Polar Disorder.
When Bi Polar is managed there is hope of a stable and fulfilling life. The newly formed Chelmsford MDF branch is an informal self help group that meets monthly. Meetings provide the chance for sufferers, carers, families and friends to meet and share experiences and to devise and improve coping stratagies. Meetings offer the chance to give and recieve help in managing the condition.
Chelmsford MDF meets in the confrence room at Chelmsford CVS, 47 Broomfield Road (Press button D to enter) on the fourth Thursday of the month between 7 to 9 pm. Entry and membership are free.
For futher details visit http://www.essexinfo.net/chelmsfordmdf , email chelmsfordmdf@hotmail.com phone 0845 439 4472
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Shop Mobility Christmas Dinner
On 17th December around 60 people gathered in the Chelmsford City social bar to enjoy a dinner funded by just an organisation CRF. And they had a great time!
Shop Mobility is providing wheelchairs and electric buggies in the town centre for people with mobility problems. It has become something of a social club. Well, we all need friends, and the office in Riverside has become something of a meeting place. They do great work there and deserve the £1000 given by CRF and the Disability Action Group.
| John Blackwood presenting the cheque for £1000 to Evelyn Mochrie. Everyone enjoyed good food, a great quiz, and some great prizes |
The Goose Fair - Latest.
The curtain closes to Christa Bringloe's Writtle Goose Fair as a cheque for £100 is presented to the RSPCA on Moulsham Street on the 4th. November 2009. Here we see (from left to right), Mick Hill (Vice Chairman CRF), Daphne Goddard, (Forum member), Joan Congrave (RSPCA) and the Area Chairman Of the RSPCA. |
One for your Diaries Following the success of our recent AGM and Conference we have already booked the Essex Records Office for the next one! The venue seemed to meet with satisfaction from all, and luckily, there is much more space there that we can use. So let’s make next year’s event even bigger. The date for your diaries is 13 November 2010 You can book a place now if you wish, Contact Resident.SupportOfficer@chp.org.uk or phone 01245 61307 |
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On the 1st. September 2009 Peter Coleing, Chairman of Chelmer Residents and other members of the Forum took part in the media event at Chelmsford Cathedral. All the great and the good were there. Peter was there because CRF had donated £1500.00 for the production of the boxes, full of essentials which will soon be heading out to the parts of this world that need a little help.
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Goodbye Old Friend!
From 1 September 2009 our old, but wasteful, friend, the standard light bulb, over 60 watts (and all pearl bulbs) are no more. They are banned. Although you will see them in some shops for a while, when they have been sold out they will not be replaced.
There’s no need to explain the reasons for this, I’m sure we all know about Global Warming by now, and the new low energy bulbs have been widely available for years, (If you are like me, you have a cupboard full of them). The price and the quality have improved over time. Don’t forget, they save around 80% of energy to the equivalent old style bulbs. If you have a dimmer switch, bulbs are now available that will work with them.
Worries?
 | Many people are worried about warnings that the new bulbs contain Mercury. They do. But then again, so do fluorescent tubes and they have been around for years! The bulbs contain a tiny amount of Mercury but unless you are breaking them several time a day it‘s not likely to do any harm. Just sweep a broken bulb carefully, into a plastic bag, and it can be disposed of at the council recycling site. Over the next few years all old style bulbs will be withdrawn. Not before time! Save some money and in a small way, the planet! |
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The ‘Goose Oak’ Planting |
| So, on Saturday 12th September in glorious sunshine she was there to do the planting. The volunteer gardener Paul Labous had prepared the ground, so Kamila didn’t have to do any heavy digging in her pretty dress! The tree was presented by CRF Vice Chairman Mick Hill.
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Mick Hill and Christa then placed the ‘Goose Stone’ complete with a brass plaque to commemorate the occasion. Christa wishes to thank Longmead Suppoters Jennie Labous and Marie Wynn for their help in making this event possible. |
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Writtle Goose Fair
 | Thanks to the hard work of Christa Bringloe and Members of West Chelmsford Forum, the Goose Fair on Writtle Green was a huge success! |  |
Christa and her trolley arrived at 10 o’clock and worried and waited until her team of volunteers arrived. Soon everything was happening! Posters going up, tables being dressed, marquees erected. Suddenly the whole green was crawling with people. The officers of Central Forum (Peter Coeling, Fiona Sterling and Mick Hill) arrived and they all sprang into action! There was much to be done before the Mayor and his Wife arrived, but it was done! Luckily the weather held, and it shaped up to be a good day. We all got into the sprit of the day, including Shirley Perrea Morris who carried out a life time wish! |
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| We waited for the Mayor’s Party to open the Fair, and at last, they arrived. Very soon after the Fair was open. The author of ‘Godfrey the Goose’, Jean Cakebread was on hand as well to welcome all. The afternoon included a fantastic kid’s Fancy Dress competion. Some of the entrys were fantastic. |
| What an afternoon it was! Hundreds of people came, enjoying the weather and the Fair. Due to hard work from members of West Chelmsford raffle tickets were sold in great quantitys. Even Tony Sach, the Mayor, bought one. |
 | The childrens entertainer was a great hit with all. His animal ballons and swords could soon be seen all over the Green. |  |
 | As always the Bouncy Castle had them queuing all afternoon. |
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At the end of the day the raffle was drawn. Money was raised for the RSPCA, good to see it going to a good cause. It had been hard work, but everybody went home happy. That’s what it’s all about. Thanks Christa!
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________________________________________ The Seal of Approval
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