Whatever Has the Forum Done For Us

Newcomen ward Community Forum was launched in September 2000. The aim of the Forum is to work in partnership with the statutory, business and voluntary sectors. Bring the community together, network and share information. Bring about positive change and improve the quality of life for those people living and working in Newcomen Ward area.

The Committee is made up of local residents and includes representatives from Sure Start, Coast & Country Housing, Youth Inclusion Project, Helping Hands for you, working for the elder bringing a better quality of life that they may live at home, plus regular contact with your local Councillors , Community Safety Wardens, Police, Fire Service who all supply relevant reports to the Ward.

The 9-0 Club was a flagship project for the Newcomen Forum. The original hut was on West Dyke Road and in a bad state of repair. The West Redcar Pensioners Association made enquiries into finding a solution for the building problems.

Newcomen Forum supported the groups bid to replace the building. They had a survey carried out and found there was a need for a community building. Funding was sought through the SRB (Single Regeneration Budget) and the new 9-0 Club was built.

The Forum then created the replanting of the Rose Gardens situated in Lakes Avenue, all the new plants were put in with monies from the Community Chest part of the SRB programme. The coping stones around the Rose Garden Wall were finally replaced after pressure from Councillors and the Forum. Money for this was received from the SRB Community Investment Fund so all the stones could be replaced.

In 2002 a sub group was formed to carry out the aims of producing a community newsletter “Newcomen Community News”, creating funding revenue to feed back into future forum projects.

Now SRB has finished the Forum are always looking for businesses to advertise or sponsors the publication of the Newsletter as we feel we have a vital role to play in our community’s well being.

Over the last six years the Newcomen Forum has built a good working relationship with several groups in the area who provided information when residents have requested support.

A Forum representative also sits on the management committee of Sure Start and Helping Hands for you, and also attends meetings of the Independent Advisory Group of Cleveland Police for the Langbaugh Area.

The area outside The Winning Post on Corporation Road, the Forum in conjunction with our local Ward Councilors came forward with ideas to have that corner tidied up and the work was carried out by the Council.

The Forum were also asked if there was anywhere a project could be carried out by Students of The Sacred Heart School and the area around Norfolk Close and Troutbeck Road was chosen after a site visit, and has since been renovated by Students of the Sacred Heart School supported by both Hertel and Coast & Country Housing.

If residents have any ideas for changes they would like to see in the ward area, please let us know and we can then pass suggestions onto the relevant council departments, on your behalf

Contact Ray Hall Tel 01642 504453, E-Mail: raymond.hall63@ntlworld.com