NDC BUSINESS AWARDS 2004 - BEST NDC BUSINESS

PLS Fabrications Managing Director Mr Stuart Hodgson

New Deal for Communities (NDC) have awarded local company PLS Fabrication Ltd a prize of £500,

along with the title of Best NDC Business, to celebrate their achievements as a company that was initiated - and has stayed - in the NDC area.   The title was awarded to them at The Hartlepool Business Awards on Friday 12 November.

 

Businesses throughout the NDC community (between Belle Vue and Hart Lane) were invited to explain in no more than 500 words why their company is worthy of the award.   PLS Fabrications was one of 3 companies that were short-listed for the final selection.

News item issued by Christina Dodds, PR & Communications, Avanticom, 01429 869265

18th November 2004

 

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BEST NDC BUSINESS 2004

New Deal for Communities (NDC) has put forward 3 businesses, based in the NDC area, to attend the Hartlepool Business Awards at the Hartlepool College of Further Education on Friday 12th November.  They are competing for the title of Best Business 2004 and a prize of £500.

The three finalists are:

*   PLS Fabrications Ltd

*   RSL Group (including RSL North East Ltd, RSL Offshore, RSL Contractors Ltd)

*   Quinn Walker Security Ltd

 

RSL Group Managing Director Mr Fred Roberts	Quinn Walker (far right) with management and staff	PLS Fabrications Managing Director Mr Stuart Hodgson

 

Businesses throughout the NDC community (between Belle Vue and Hart Lane) were invited to explain in no more than 500 words why their company is worthy of the award.

Anne Hollifield, NDC Employment Theme Co-ordinator said,

"The standard of entries was very high.  It was a difficult task but we managed to whittle them down to 3 finalists.  The winner won't be announced until the awards Ceremony so it should be an exiting night."

Anne went on site visits to the 3 companies on Thursday 28th October with Brian Hanna, Resident Chairperson for NDC.  They spoke to staff and saw first hand how the companies work before making their final decision.

Bryon said,

"New Deal for Communities is about making the NDC area a place where people want to come to live and and work - and these companies prove how some businesses are really thriving here."

NDC have also recently employed Alison Soulsby as Enterprise Development Worker to help NDC residents set up their own businesses.

Alison said,

"I am here to offer general advice and assistance, guidance on relevant training courses, and also help with funding.  I'm really looking forward to helping NDC residents develop their business ideas.  Maybe they will be the NDC Business Award winners of the future!"

If you dream of setting up your own business and would like to discuss your options with Alison Soulsby, please contact her on 01429 404017 or e-mail her at : -

asoulsby@hartlepoolfe.ac.uk

News item issued by Christina Dodds, PR & Communications, Avanticom, 01429 869265

 

11th November 2004

 

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LEARN GRAPHICS DESIGN

 

left & right: Budding designers Dave Madison and Julie Boyd.

Centre: Gavin Bell, Professional Designer and Course Leader with samples of his work.

Budding designers of all skills and abilities are encouraged to take part in a free graphic design course at the Stranton Centre this autumn.   The class - which is open to New Deal for Communities residents over the age of 16 - takes place every Thursday from 6pm - 9pm with local professional designer Gavin Bell.   And class members decide the content of the class.

 

Stranton Centre Manager Sharon Pounder said,

 

"This is a unique opportunity for people to learn from someone who has worked in the design industry for years - Gavin has even designed greetings cards for Hallmark.   To get such high quality teaching for free is fantastic and we are proud to offer it at the Stranton Centre."

 

Projects involved in the course include designing a CD cover, and creating a logo and new "look" for a restaurant or bar.   However, the course is also flexible and Gavin wants to encourage the input of people attending.

 

Gavin says,

 

"This course can be as basic or advanced as people want.   First of all we need to weigh up the abilities of the class and build the course around what they feel comfortable with."

 

Other items that Gavin has in mind include learning how to scan photographs, introducing the importance of fonts and colours and looking at simple Web site design.   But the important thing is to not let your lack, or wealth of, experience to put you off.

 

Gavin adds,

 

"We want anyone with an interest in design to attend - whether they have already designed a Web site themselves, or they have never used a computer before."

 

If you are interested in taking part in this course, contact the Stranton Centre on 01429 231329.

The Stranton Centre is a multi-functional building situated directly beside Stranton Primary School on Southburn Terrace. NDC residents will be given first priority for all facilities.   The school will use the sports hall and performing arts space between 9am and 5pm weekdays, with the rest of the community accessing them after 5pm, at weekends and during school holidays.   However, the ICT Suite will be available to the whole community for 12 hours a day from 9am - 9pm, and it is hoped that a variety of computer-based courses will soon be in place for adults.  

 

News item issued by Christina Dodds, PR & Communications, Avanticom, 01429 869265

 

26th October 2004

 

 

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OFFICIAL OPENING OF STRANTON CENTRE

From left, Stranton Primary School Head Teacher, Judith Thomas, Centre Manager Sharon Pounder, Carl Richardson and Bob Farrow

Chairman of Hartlepool Borough Council, Carl Richardson, officially opened The Stranton Centre on Friday 15 October at 1.30pm.   The multi-functional building is situated in the heart of the New Deal for Communities (NDC) area, directly beside Stranton Primary School - and NDC residents will be given first priority for all facilities.

 

Carl Richardson said,

 

"The residents have supported this project from the start and it was always the aim to create the centre they wanted - a real people centre."

 

Centre Manager, Sharon Pounder said,

 

"We have worked closely with Stranton Primary school to create the fantastic facility we can see today.   Thanks to this team effort -including residents, and funders - we can now look forward to the Centre going from strength to strength."

 

Bob Farrow, Manager of neighbouring NDC project Belle Vue Community Sports and Youth Centre was also there to show his support and added,

 

"It is an honour to be invited to the opening of such a special centre, which is going to be great for the children living here today - and for the children of the future."

 

Following the speeches and unveiling of the plaque, guests were treated to a gymnastic display from Stranton Primary School pupils, followed by a performance from the school choir.

 

To find out more about the Stranton Centre, contact the Centre on 01429 231 329.

News item issued by Christina Dodds, PR & Communications, Avanticom, 01429 869265

 

26th October 2004

 

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  AN EXHIBITION TO REMEMBER

Residents at St Joseph's Court

have formed a group to help NDC prepare for their forthcoming exhibition

Sultan Ahmed, Community Development Trainee - second from left at back

Maureen Beveridge, Manager of St Joseph's - third from right

Calling all those people with memories and evidence of living in the New Deal for Communities (NDC) area; you are invited to share your experiences with the community by donating items and stories for a forthcoming exhibition.

 

NDC staff are looking for items of memorabilia from any era up until present day that will be exhibited, along with audio recordings, at various locations in Hartlepool later this year.

 

Sultan Ahmed, NDC Community Development Trainee, kick-started the process by speaking to residents living at St Joseph's Court and recording their recollections of life in the area of Hartlepool involving the 4000 households between Belle Vue and Hart Lane.

 

The group were happy to share their thoughts on years gone by, and also provide photographs of family and friends.

 

Maureen Beveridge, Manager of St Joseph's Court said,

 

"There is always laughter when these meetings take place.   If collecting the information for the exhibition can bring back so many happy memories, the exhibition itself can only be a good thing for the town."

 

Resident, Ernest Fowler, aged 74 said,

 

"This exhibition is important because it will show the big changes that have taken place in Hartlepool over the years; the past is gone but should not be forgotten."

 

Sultan added,

 

"The New Deal for Communities' plan to make the area a better place to live involves a lot of change.   While we are looking forward to an improved NDC community, we would also like to help people celebrate the history of such a large part of the town."

 

For further information regarding the NDC history project, please contact Sultan Ahmed on 894 046.   If you have any items you would like to donate to the exhibition, simply drop them off at the NDC offices at 79 Park Road before Friday 15 October.

 

News item issued by Christina Dodds, PR & Communications, Avanticom, 01429 869265

11th October 2004

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MINISTER VISITS PLAYBUS

Margaret Hodge chats with visitors to the play bus she is accompanied by Malcolm Walker

director of Hartlepool NDC

 

Hartlepool's Families First Playbus had a distinguished visitor today.  Margaret Hodge, Minister for Children visited the bus and chatted with parents and children.

The voluntary organisation Hartlepool Families First run the NDC project 'Learn Through Play'.  They purchased a double decker bus which is dedicated to the NDC area.  It will provide play opportunities and develop Kids Clubs over four sites.

31st August 2004

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PRESCOTT PRAISES

"ORDINARY PEOPLE MAKING THEIR OWN DECISIONS" IN HARTLEPOOL NDC

Mr Prescott discusses the Community Housing Plan at Hartlepool Revival

with NDC staff and residents

John Prescott praised New Deal for Communities (NDC) for the progress they have made in their resident led initiative during a fleeting visit to Hartlepool on Thursday 12 August.

 

Mr Prescott visited Hartlepool Revival - the community-owned company tackling the housing problems in the NDC area - to meet NDC residents, staff and other partners to get a feel for how the regeneration scheme is working.

 

Seated in front of the large-scale Community Housing Plan document, Mr Prescott gained an insight into the hopes NDC have of creating a safer and more prosperous Hartlepool.  

 

He said, "The basic elements of a good community include well-maintained houses, personal security, and community space.   Services have to work together to achieve these goals, and that takes community spirit - which is very apparent in Hartlepool NDC."

 

NDC representatives from the Community Wardens and Environmental Task Force explained how they work closely with the local police and Council to form a united approach towards reducing anti-social behaviour in the town.

 

Environmental Task Force Supervisor, Gary Jones said, "We have become regular faces in the area, and as result we tend to get a lot of feedback about particular problems from residents, local groups and organisations as well as the wardens themselves."

 

After receiving an overview of the Community Housing Plan from Bill Carr, Housing Regeneration Officer at Hartlepool Revival, Mr Prescott said,

 

"Each of the 39 NDC projects across the country has its own special characteristics.   After visiting Hartlepool NDC, I can see that housing is a very intense issue for residents and that is the importance of ordinary people making their own decisions - they can recognise these priorities and make the scheme a success."

 

Asked by attending Resident Steering Group members what his lasting impression of the visit was, Mr Prescott replied,

 

"I'm very proud of Hartlepool NDC.   An Independent Auditor said that it was working particularly well, but after seeing such positive community action for myself, I'm extremely impressed."

News Item issued by Christina Dodds of Avanticom.  Tel: 01429 869265

Photograph supplied by Joe Carter of Avanticom.

18th August 2004

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SECOND ENVIRONMENTAL SQUAD TAKES TO THE STREETS

Denise Ogden, Town Care Manager (Waste Management), with members of the second

NDC environmental squad

 

Efforts to keep Hartlepool clean and tidy have been boosted by the launch of a new environmental squad.

 

The three-strong team, a joint initiative involving the Council and the town's New Deal for Communities (NDC) regeneration programme, has a wide-ranging clean-up brief.

 

Working exclusively in the NDC area, the team's responsibilities include general street cleansing, horticulture works, removal off fly-tipped waste, the clearance of rubbish from empty properties and the removal of graffiti.

 

The team which comprises Graeme Renwick, Geoff Wilkinson and John Bassam, is complementing the work of an existing squad which has proved to be a huge success over the last two and a half years.

 

NDC funding worth around £200,000 is being ploughed into the new initiative, whilst the team members are employed by the Council which trains them and provides most of their equipment.

 

Denise Ogden, the Council's Town Care Manager (Waste Management), said: "The existing environmental squad has had a positive impact on the NDC area, and we are delighted to be involved in the launch of this second team.

 

"The Council couldn't have afforded to launch a second team without the support of NDC, so this highlights the benefits of us working together for the good of the town."

 

Supervisor Garry Jones added: "The members of the two teams have become regular faces in the area, and as result we tend to get a lot of feedback about particular problems from residents, local groups and organisations and the NDC community wardens."

 

Bryon Hanna, Resident Chairperson for NDC, said: "We are pleased to see such a successful scheme continuing. It can only help towards the NDC aim for a safe, healthy and clean living environment for residents."

 News item issued by Steve Hilton, Assistant Public Relations Officer, HBC on (01429) 284065.

 

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STREET GAMES ARE MAKING A COMEBACK

Children receiving their certificates at the Street Games grand final

 

The NDC streetgames project was to encourage children aged 3 - 9 years how to play the old-fashioned games.  

 

The event began with 3 workshops: -

20th July 2004 at Grange Road Methodist Church, Hartlepool

21st July 2004 at the Osborne Hall, Hartlepool

22nd July 2004 at the Belle Vue Community, Sports and Youth Centre, Hartlepool

The workshops were delivered by the Sports Development Team to teach the children the rules and regulations of the games from hopscotch and skipping to marbles etc.   Alongside these there were intergenerational workshops delivered by PERCY (Teesside Play, Education and Resource Centre) to teach the children new skills from knitting to pom pom making etc.

 

The areas that participated in the event were initially chosen by local Resident Associations and after consultation with the residents the back lanes that participated in the event were: - Milton/Grange Road, Stockton Road (from the 11 o'clock shop to Oxford Street), Sandringham/Collingwood Road and Thorton/Carlton Street.   These areas will receive an assortment of equipment so the children can continue to play the games with their new skills.

 

The grand final was held at Stranton Primary School on Friday 6 th August.   The children who participated in the competition received a piece of equipment, a goody bag and a certificate, which were presented by Hangus and the Alleygator.

 

A follow up event is to be planned for the autumn, so watch this space.

News item donated by Irene Cross, Community Development and Inclusion Trainee for NDC Hartlepool

13th August 2004

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