"Hi Cameron, wanna come out for a bit crack?"
It's always pleasant to be invited out for a chat with mates - but this invitation wasn't from a fellow 40+ year old to discuss 40+ year old's stuff. It was from a group of 16-18 year old lads who wanted to chat about what they can do to provide stuff for themselves and their contemporaries to do.
After 10 minutes of sitting on a step I began to see their point. Actually, I wasn't sitting on a step. There wasn't room. Me and a couple of others had to squat on the street, whle others stayed straddling their bikes.
In Langley Park there isn't even anywhere for people to sit down!
The specific ideas the lads had was to set up a Martial Arts Class and a Rave at the local WMC.
Being a 40+ year old, I couldn't help be terrified by the idea of a Rave - ecstacy, dehydration, all night music, death . . . All the stuff that was in the press when raves first started a couple of decades ago.
But to a 16 year old a Rave is just what we used to call a disco in the early 80s.
Us adults must not prejudice a young person's language with our misunderstanding.
The things they needed to make it happen was basically a letter to the "committee" and a room hire desposit. Easy things for a 40+ year old to put together. They could provide the music, the gear, the djs the everything else . . .
So we'll be getting together to do some more detailed planning.
They had even more experience of what is required to run a Martial Arts Class - so I'm not sure exactly what I can do to help them wiith that except encourage and support them.
Sure there was a lot of smoking and swearing - but have you ever met with senior officials in a Local Authority?
Us adults must be very aware of hypocrisy when judging the behaviour of young people.
So our Young People are "engaging". They're even talking of getting the younger ones sorted out - of breaking the cycle - of being role models.
This is exciting news - cos these ain't graduates of Boy Scouts. These are the lads that you would shy away from if you saw them coming towards you.
But they rang me. They wanted a bit crack - with me.
It was the best phone call - and a very important night for Langley Park
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Saturday 31 July 2010
No Excuses now for Dog Fouling
"Your dog's business is everybody's business" is the latest campaign to improve the quality of life in Langley Park
As of August 1st, if you buy dog food from any of the shops in Langley Park you will be offered a pack of dog poo bags, with a message advising that Neighbourhood Wardens will be patrolling at all hours, with the authority to issue instant £80 fines.
By having the bags offered every time they buy dog food, owners will be reminded of their responsibility - and hopefully the measure will create discussion of the subject across the village.
The initiative is being organised by local Community Group, We Are Langley Park. Group Secretary, Julie Eze said, “People are understandably hesitant to confront owners who allow their dogs to foul the pavement. But with every shop participating, and fines being issued, we hope the culture will change and those that still allow their dogs to mess on the footpath will be forced to mend their ways.”
Volunteer Litter Picker, Nic Andre said, “It’s not just the poo that is the problem. Some owners wipe their dogs bum and then discard the tissue in the grass verge - while others pick up the poo in a bag, and then leave the bag hanging in a bush. It really is unbelievable!”
Since notices were put up at the beginning of the year, there has been a marked decrease in the amount of dog mess left on paths, but some people still haven't got the message. But with the message being given every time people buy dog food, the group are confident dog fouling will become a problem of the past.
Now there is no excuse for leaving dog's poo on the path, those that do so will be under increasing pressure to change their behaviour. The We Are Langley Park website now allows residents to report those who do not pick up after their pet. The results will be passed on anonymously to Durham County Council's Neighbourhood Wardens who will be in a better position to issue fines.
The innovative approach has been noticed by Keep Britain Tidy who are watching it unfold as a Case Study.
For more information call 07979 64 69 98 or visit the website at www.wearelangleypark.co.uk
By having the bags offered every time they buy dog food, owners will be reminded of their responsibility - and hopefully the measure will create discussion of the subject across the village.
The initiative is being organised by local Community Group, We Are Langley Park. Group Secretary, Julie Eze said, “People are understandably hesitant to confront owners who allow their dogs to foul the pavement. But with every shop participating, and fines being issued, we hope the culture will change and those that still allow their dogs to mess on the footpath will be forced to mend their ways.”
Volunteer Litter Picker, Nic Andre said, “It’s not just the poo that is the problem. Some owners wipe their dogs bum and then discard the tissue in the grass verge - while others pick up the poo in a bag, and then leave the bag hanging in a bush. It really is unbelievable!”
Since notices were put up at the beginning of the year, there has been a marked decrease in the amount of dog mess left on paths, but some people still haven't got the message. But with the message being given every time people buy dog food, the group are confident dog fouling will become a problem of the past.
Now there is no excuse for leaving dog's poo on the path, those that do so will be under increasing pressure to change their behaviour. The We Are Langley Park website now allows residents to report those who do not pick up after their pet. The results will be passed on anonymously to Durham County Council's Neighbourhood Wardens who will be in a better position to issue fines.
The innovative approach has been noticed by Keep Britain Tidy who are watching it unfold as a Case Study.
For more information call 07979 64 69 98 or visit the website at www.wearelangleypark.co.uk
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Langley Park Care Service
"Surely we in Langley Park are able to look after our own older people."
This is the idea that has led three people to start thinking about how!
A name has yet to be devised - and the service has yet to be designed in detail - but we are looking to offer Care Services, initially to the elderly.
The care providers would be people in the village who would enjoy the opportunity to get out and do something for others and meet new people into the bargain.
Indeed, some people may be care givers and care recipients at the same time.
We are putting tgether a survey to find out what services people in the village need - and what services people would be able and willing to offer.
Ideas may include helping with shopping, a weekly chat over a cup of tea, lawn mowing - but it could be anything.
As the service develops we hope to extend to other people in need of care, regarles of their ability to pay.
.
If you want to help design the service from the outset, please get in touch on 07979 64 69 98 or via http://www.wearelangleypark.co.uk/
This is the idea that has led three people to start thinking about how!
A name has yet to be devised - and the service has yet to be designed in detail - but we are looking to offer Care Services, initially to the elderly.
The care providers would be people in the village who would enjoy the opportunity to get out and do something for others and meet new people into the bargain.
Indeed, some people may be care givers and care recipients at the same time.
We are putting tgether a survey to find out what services people in the village need - and what services people would be able and willing to offer.
Ideas may include helping with shopping, a weekly chat over a cup of tea, lawn mowing - but it could be anything.
As the service develops we hope to extend to other people in need of care, regarles of their ability to pay.
.
If you want to help design the service from the outset, please get in touch on 07979 64 69 98 or via http://www.wearelangleypark.co.uk/
Coming Soon - Langley Park Community Bank
After a realy positive meeting with Prince Bishops Credit Union, we look to be on course to bring a Community Bank to Langley Park in the very near future.
Community Banks offer a much much much cheaper alterative to the expensive loans offered by door to door collectors and "pay as you watch" schemes.
But more than that they are a great way to start saving - while providing money to others to borrow.
And if you are a Derwentside Homes tenant the benefits are even greater . . .
To get this started we need some people from the village to help design the service and spare whatever time they can to get it running.
We have some already . . . but could do with more . . . Is that you? Call 07979 64 69 98 or contact us via http://www.wearelangleypark.co.uk/
Community Banks offer a much much much cheaper alterative to the expensive loans offered by door to door collectors and "pay as you watch" schemes.
But more than that they are a great way to start saving - while providing money to others to borrow.
And if you are a Derwentside Homes tenant the benefits are even greater . . .
To get this started we need some people from the village to help design the service and spare whatever time they can to get it running.
We have some already . . . but could do with more . . . Is that you? Call 07979 64 69 98 or contact us via http://www.wearelangleypark.co.uk/
Tuesday 13 July 2010
Let's get ready to cut brambles
We have £5million Public Liability Insurance in place with BTCV, and a Stihl Strimmer in the lockup - so let's get this place tidied up.
Then we can bring out the lawn mower and get it ship shape.
Who wants to be first on the machinery - get in touch with Cameron on 07979 64 69 98 - email via http://www.wearelangleypark.co.uk/
Then we can bring out the lawn mower and get it ship shape.
Who wants to be first on the machinery - get in touch with Cameron on 07979 64 69 98 - email via http://www.wearelangleypark.co.uk/
Friday 9 July 2010
Kids Garden Clubs
This is from Jonnie - our latest member:
"I am a Parent Support Advisor and work with parents and children from LP primary school. I run a little garden club every Wednesday lunchtime with the children I work with and it will run on certain days during the holidays. I could possibly extend these days to help out with any projects you have in mind. And hopefully Parents and children will get involved, but I can certainly do my best to promote your organisation from within my job role."
Maybe some parents and those keen on doing stuff for kids can get in touch with Jonnie. Call me for his details.
cameron - 07979 64 69 98
"I am a Parent Support Advisor and work with parents and children from LP primary school. I run a little garden club every Wednesday lunchtime with the children I work with and it will run on certain days during the holidays. I could possibly extend these days to help out with any projects you have in mind. And hopefully Parents and children will get involved, but I can certainly do my best to promote your organisation from within my job role."
Maybe some parents and those keen on doing stuff for kids can get in touch with Jonnie. Call me for his details.
cameron - 07979 64 69 98
Attention: Derwentside Homes Tenants
If you save £10 per month for 6 months with the Prince Bishops Credit Union, Derwentside Homes will top it up with £20.
Plus you get 6 months free contents insurance.
Phone Derwentside Homes for more info - 08458 505600
Plus you get 6 months free contents insurance.
Phone Derwentside Homes for more info - 08458 505600
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