In May 2014 the Nowton Neighbourhood Residents Association (NNRA) was formed with the aim of improving the Southgate area in which we all live.
In the short time the NNRA has been running we have seen improvements to grass cutting on the Nowton Estate, trees either cut down or pollarded, fly tipping being removed more quickly and working with Havebury Housing we have a commitment from them that they will refurbish every shrubbery on the estate. A barrier has been replaced on the green at Fallowfield Walk, and at the top of Caie Walk/Banks Walk there is a new planting area that includes seating. We are also working with St Edmundsbury Borough Council to replant the beds outside Southgate Community Centre and we have approached them with a request for a small piece of land on the Nowton Estate where we can create a community garden. We hope to have more news on this in February’s issue.
We have been concerned for some time that there is not anywhere cyclists can secure their bikes when using the community centre and I am very pleased to report that Councillors Sarah Stamp and Patrick Chung have offered to fund some cycle racks from their locality budget to be sited outside the centre. It’s hoped that these will be in place early in the New Year.
Parking in the area is an ongoing, difficult issue and we are working with the police, hospital and schools to see if we can find a way forward to the satisfaction of all concerned – but compromises may have to be reached.
We have our own website, kindly funded by Councillor Sarah Stamp from her locality budget, visit www.nowton-nra.org.uk a Facebook page and you can tweet us @nowtonnnra or email contact@nowton-nnra@gmail.com
Your committee members are:
Ann Williamson – Chairman
Gwen Williams – Secretary
Bob Jones – Treasurer
Sarah Stamp
Patrick Chung
Diane Joynson
Martin Tustain
Debbie Sharples
Ruth Shattock
Frances McGinn
The Committee meet monthly at Southgate Community Centre and every three months there is a Public Meeting. The next Public Meeting will be held on Tuesday 7th April 2015 at 7.30pm at the Centre when you are invited to come along, share your views and also hear what’s happening in your neighbourhood.
By the time you receive this, your first issue of the Southgate Directory, Christmas will be over but I hope your celebrations were enjoyable and on behalf of the NNRA Committee I would like to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.
Please remember, the residents association is your association and was formed to improve the environment in which we all live, so if you have an issue or concern please contact us and we will do whatever we can to help. We very much welcome the advent of the Southgate Directory.
Ann Williamson
Chairman
