Cedar Tree Residents Association

TWO TIER HOUSING ESTATE FOR CAMPHILL

Please read this as it could mean a difference to you if you live in the undeveloped areas of camp hill.

The new houses are going to be lease hold and that means the home owners on the new estate will get their windows washed, lawns mowed and fascias painted as it was made clear that they are not allowed to let the newly developed side of the estate fall into a state of neglect like the old camp hill.

Steve Wilks has been one man trying to fight for rights for all residents off camp hill. You would off heard of the Cedar Tree residents he runs, but are you aware he is fighting a battle without proper support form any residences of camp hill without this it will be no good having a moan when work is completed. It will be too late.

Have you had any offer to help you upgrade your home within keeping of the new estate.
Is there anywhere you can take your young children to play safely without having to trek to the other side of the estate?
Do you or your neighbours actively support neighbourhood watch?
Is their anywhere safe for young children to go and play within reach of your home?
Do you look out for the elderly or care if they need help or advice or even just a bit of company or shopping?
Are you a member of neighbourhood watch?

No I did not think so, I personally do not want to be on a two tier estate and would like your support in this quest, and all we ask is for a small amount of support.

You could do this by actively joining us with getting our undeveloped side of the estate up to the level the new estate will be. By help we mean signatures or written letters of changes you feel are relevant to the estate. Even emails, phone calls etc. You can help and it will make a difference. Trust us

March 2005

Police are offering individuals interested in becoming a police special the opportunity to find out more at a familiarisation evening on Thursday 10 March at Leek Wootton, near Warwick, starting at 7pm.

Robert Masters, aged 26 came to a familiarisation evening in November and has now just started his Stage 1 training to become a Special.

Robert said

"I was invited along to the evening after I'd already started applying to be a special and it was an ideal opportunity to talk to existing specials and find out what the role is really like. I found this really useful.

"Glyn Gardner, one of the more senior specials, was very good and explained what would be going on and why we are needed. There was also a regular officer there who had some specials in his team and he said the specials were invaluable. It was great to hear this from an officer and you could see there is a real purpose for someone like me to be out there. It was a nice informal session and really got some good points across.

"I've always had an interest in the police and could quite easily have chosen it as my first career, but being a special allows me to continue with my day job. I'm really looking forward to working in the community. I can't wait and the enthusiasm I have for it just seems to grow the more I find out. I feel part of something big, and hopefully we can make a difference.

Sara Hirst, Specials Recruiting Officer said

"We are looking for individuals aged between 18.5 and 50 years old in good health with normal vision, corrected if necessary with spectacles or contact lenses. Individuals can be of any height - you don't have to be 6 feet tall! The most important qualities we are looking for are honesty, integrity, and a positive approach coupled with a willingness to learn new skills and able to work in a team. "

Special Constabulary Chief Officer Brian Pask said

"Specials have full police powers and carry out a range of police duties under the supervision and support of regular officers. Providing a visible presence on the streets of Warwickshire, and playing an active part in crime reduction initiatives, specials play a vital role in helping to cut crime and fear of crime."

The Special Constabulary is a voluntary body drawn mainly from the community. Initial training takes place at weekends and on average Specials are expected to give at least four hours each week, typically evenings and weekends.

If you are interested in coming along to find out more about becoming a special, please call 01926 415052 to book your place. The line will be kept open until 5pm on 10 March.

You can also find out more about becoming a Special on the web, by visiting: www.policecouldyou.co.uk www.specialconstables.gov.uk or clicking on the careers

Hazel Nicholas

Rumours about his own position and the ongoing problems in Iraq were set aside as the Prime Minister took time out to meet a Nuneaton resident.

John Prescott may have given Tony Blair an uncomfortable time in recent weeks with unintended suggestions that he may be thinking about stepping down but it certainly didn't show when folk from around the country came to visit.
Among the members of public invited to No.10 was Steve Wilks, a resident of Cedar Road in Nuneaton who took the opportunity to keep the Prime Minister up to date with successful crime fighting methods being used on the Camp Hill estate.
Mr Blair was keen to hear about the neighbourhood watch scheme and was delighted when told how burglary levels had been slashed as a result of the community working together.
The champagne evening saw around 200 people from across the country invited to downing street as part of the Taking a Stand Against Crime Awards which were handed out to residents, including Steve Wilks.
It was certainly an experience to remember for the Nuneaton resident, who chairs both the Neighbourhood Watch and the Residents Association for Cedar Tree, as it was for Tony Blair who compared the meeting to when he first shook hands with former Soviet President Michael Gorbachev.
Steve explained:"He came over to me with his wife Cherie and shook my hand. While we posed for photographs he told that this was exactly what happened when he shook hands with Gorbacev! But it was good to meet him and he seemed quite interested in what i had to tell him about our neighbourhood watch scheme and residents association. "We didn't speak for too long as he had about 200 people in the room he had to get around. He then gave a little speech and thanked us all for being there. It was a good experience and a very enjoyable evening." On his way to No.10 Mr wilks had paid a visit to the house of commons where he spent an hour in the company of Nuneaton MP Bill Oiner. He was invited to the ceremony after picking up a Taking a Stand Against Crime Award, having been nominated by other Neighbourhood watch schemes and the local police authority.

Sergeant Wayne Cooke from Nuneaton Police has been seconded to the Home Office, working within the heart of the community for this one year funded Home Office (Policing Standards Unit). Nuneaton was one of the 14 Policing Priority Areas announced by the government back in April and the appointment of Wayne, will see the launch of an action plan to tackle problems in Camp Hill.

Wayne is a Home Office trained Crime Prevention / Architectural Liaison Officer and with his previous experience of working in the Community Safety Unit will be engaging with the community and partner agencies to address crime as well as quality of life issues that matter to the community.

Wayne said of his new challenge:
"The funding from the Home Office will give me the opportunity to work more closely with the local community to further enhance partnerships to tackle crime, fear of crime and address quality of life issues. A lot of excellent work is clearly ongoing in Camp Hill and my role will be to support this process as well seek new ways to address the concerns of the residents in Camp Hill"

Problems he is keen to address include nuisance motorbikes, vehicle related crime, graffiti and anti-social behaviour.
But he doesn't only want to deal with criminals instead he is eager to hear from local residents and find out what he can do to improve their lives.
He also said
"The first phase of the project will be very much centered on community consultation, so I will be talking to resident's groups in the area to understand their concerns. Nuisance motorcycles and car crime incidents have already been brought to my attention as issues that affect the lives of residents."