THE STEPHENSON WAY GRANT PRESENTATION

THE WEB SITE AND NEWSLETTER

From the front page of the Stephenson Way Web Site you can navigate your way to 'community events', the 'centre's diary', 'councillors surgeries' and other matters appertaining to the community and the centre. For instance, you can download an abbreviated copy of the minutes or see what the forthcoming agenda is about. You can view pictures of the centre before it was refurbished and see what the centre looks like now - you can even read about the committee and the various responsibilities they have. In short, the Web Site is an electronic window into the heart of the centre, accessible to the community and to whoever wants to view it. Information is freely downloadable, such that interested surfers will be able to instantly copy text onto their computers or print out the desired page. The Web Site will run in tandem with the Stevieway Newsletter, so that we can be in touch with people who are not yet fortunate enough to be 'on-line'. One of the chief reasons that the centre has not flourished in the past is the lack of publicity - it has been poorly promoted. This has resulted in a feeling of alienation between the residents and centre. The committee strongly believes that the Web Site and the Newsletter are crucial to the development of the area, the centre, and the subsequent reuniting of the people.

COMPUTERS, THE INTERNET AND E-MAIL

"I'll never be able to do that!" So said Liz Ruthven - Association secretary - when she sat in front of the centre's computer, Microsoft's electronic mail program, Outlook Express, on the screen and the cursor pulsing on the send and receive icon. She nervously clicked the mouse button and sent an e-mail whizzing on its way. "Is that it … has it gone?" That was her first experience of sending an e-mail. At the time she was convinced that she would never master it, that she would always have to ask what to do. And when she was told that within two weeks she would be e-mailing all over the world, with total confidence, she actually burst out laughing. However, within the allotted time she was sending committee meeting agendas and minutes down the line, and whatever other items of communication that demanded an immediate response or early viewing. At the same time she was showing her granddaughter how to e-mail, and was even dialling into the Stevieway Web Site to see what progress we were making. Now, sending an e-mail is as normal to her as heating up a meal in a microwave. At Stevieway we want all members to enjoy this method of communication. It is not something solely to be had by the committee - we want every member of the estate to be able to come into the building and send an e-mail or access the world wide web if they desire. It is their right, and our duty to ensure that it is possible. We also want members to have computer training and are working with Tresham Collage to achieve this. In fact, computer training is in progress now at Klassy Klaws and we're going to continue and expand the classes when we move back into the newly refurbished building. At the moment we have three computers - however, two of them need modems. It is our intention to upgrade the existing machines by fitting extra memory and modems where necessary, and to purchase a more sophisticated computer for desk top publishing and web authoring. We also need a decent A3 coloured printer, a modestly priced A4 laser printer, an A4 scanner and a digital camera. The camera is essential for the newsletter and the Web Site, where we want to feature people and community events. Our programme is futuristic, innovative, and runs parallel with the government's strategy of teaching people to use computers and getting them used to the Internet.

GARDENS AND THE CENTRE

Although the centre itself has been extensively refurbished and modernised the gardens have had little attention - the allotted SRB funds ran out before the gardens could be landscaped. Out the back, the ground has been churned into a quagmire and beyond the parking bay at the front, the border area is much the same. Every inch of the garden will require landscaping by a specialised company, or a major effort on behalf of the community. Unfortunately the expense will fall to the centre; however, the committee regard it as a challenge and are already forming a plan of action. From every negative point, one can derive some positivity. The positive aspect is that it will encourage us to form a gardening group, which will serve to maintain the gardens and bring the community closer together. We are under no elusions as to the enormity of the task ahead, and realise that the gardens will cost a great deal of money to landscape, but we intend to beautify the building on the outside as the builders have done within - the centre should be as aesthetically pleasing and visually welcoming as it is functional. Yes, the builders would have done a great job but we will still have to purchase new furniture, fixtures and fittings, and kitchen equipment such as cupboards and work-tops, utensils, an oven, freezer and fridge. The kitchen will have to undergo a certain amount of refurbishment, too, and the cost will be borne by us. To give continuity and security to the building, two existing metal framed windows will have to be replaced at the front, and all of the rear windows - these require double-glazing. Inside the main hall, above the double entrance doors, we intend to paint a colourful mural, the content of which will be decided by competition (this would evolve the youth and children, and the theme will be along community lines). Outside, by the path leading to the entrance doors, we're going to erect a weather-proof notice board. The centre will be cleaned and cared for by two employees, male and female, sharing their responsibilities and providing constant coverage. We are immensely proud of our new centre and, like the council, we're looking forward to presenting it to the community. It is virtually ready to serve their needs, and with the above improvements, will doubtless be commercially as well as charitably successful.

USER-GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES

The Stephenson Way Community Association is presently in the awkward position of having to state its case without actually having a completed building to work in. As the Grants' Committee may be aware, we're still in temporary accommodation in Klassy Klaws across the road; however, we run computer training, art classes and microwave cooking demonstrations there. And, of course, we're open for the public - anyone can come in and chat and have a cup of tea. Naturally these groups and the drop-in will continue in the newly refurbished centre. We will also run the Kung Fu classes which were incredibly successful last year - we managed to squeeze in eight weekly lessons before closing the main building. The children and teenagers of the area absolutely loved it. And the parents, encouraged by the activities of their offspring, are now talking about having 'self-defence' and ‘keep fit’ classes for themselves. We're anxious to get this up and running, particularly for the ladies who have expressed a greater interest. We also ran a successful St John's Ambulance resuscitation course last year. This is something we would do again, probably on a regular basis. It provided people with the hands-on skills to prevent death or serious and prolonged damage to health. Where health is concerned, we want to promote a better lifestyle in terms of fitness, eating and general wellbeing, and intend to educate without lecturing the public on 'how to stay healthy' - the microwave cooking classes were started with this in mind. The art group will continue, and we're talking about re-introducing the highly successful Folk Group evening that took the centre by storm in 1994. Of course, the main hall is big enough to cater for the most demanding and active user-group, and we can envisage all sorts indoor games and recreational activities taking place - badminton, net ball, basket ball, weddings, groups, etc. But the centre has a serious side, too, and will no doubt be used to discuss important issues that affect the neighbourhood. To this end we strongly desire to set up a resident's association. The centre will be at their disposal, and as a committee we will do all we can to ensure their success and longevity.

ANTI-POVERTY, ANTI-CRIME

A 1995 SRB report highlighted the fact that the residents of the East Lloyd's estate were generally poor, low achievers, underprivileged and disaffected. It also highlighted the high unemployment rate and one parent families that abound. As a committee we are acutely aware of these statistics and the problems they pose, and are considering various ways of educating and improving the lives of our members - both card holders and those living within the centre boundaries. We touched on cooking and healthy eating earlier, but this is just one of our many strategies. Fitness training, self-defence, the discipline of Kung Fu and forming teams for sporting events will play a part in revitalizing peoples' bodies, whilst discussions, adult education and training will strengthen minds. Before the centre closed for refurbishment we were running various groups which mirrored the above themes - Kung Fu, cooking, computer training, art classes, etc., but we intend to extensively widen our scope and cater for every community need. To this end we're planning to - increase our membership through advertising and promotion; increase communication among members and the management committee; hold dances; Kung Fu classes; bowling; sporting events in the main hall and gardens; cookery classes; gardening club; tropical fish club; music night; folk club; an art and theatre group; a youth club; the Cool Club; after school club. Regarding education and training we want to reintroduce the creative writing group; run basic health and safety classes; first aid within the centre and home; employment skills’ classes; CV writing; cyber café; computer training; unfettered access to computers with the option of dialling into the Internet and sending e-mails; fire safety; drug and alcohol awareness and environmental awareness groups. And for general use we would like to continue our daily drop-in with teas served; provide an office for councillor's surgeries; general advice; police surgeries, and the Credit Union. Our elderly residents deserve special attention, too. The committee would like to reintroduce the luncheon and shopping club, and give practical help with their gardens. We already run a neighbourhood watch scheme. The centre is a command post for the neighbourhood watch, and as such receives monthly statistics from the local police force. We desire to expand in this field and have various neighbourhood watch groups all over the estate with the centre being the focal point for communication and direction.  Our current program and aspirations will go a long way to lift residents from the mire of poverty, and therefore help us rise above the level of low achievement and disaffection. It will assist people to find work and pass interviews, and give single parents the help and advice they so often need. The neighbourhood watch scheme will lower crime, and our senior citizens will benefit from the shopping, gardening and luncheon club.

THE ENVIRONMENT

The surroundings and environmental history of the East Lloyd's estate are unique - we have a diverse species of water-fowl (ducks, moorhens and swans) which inhabit the two reservoirs, along with various species of fish; a preponderance of amphibious creatures, such as frogs, toads and newts; bats which have almost become residential, and can be seen regularly flitting about in the evenings; and many species of birds, including woodpeckers, song-thrushes, robins, house martins and collard doves. However, situated near the Earlstrees Industrial Estate, the area was heavily polluted in the days of the steel works and suffers from noise and light pollution even now.  A 1995 SRB report stated that the area is ‘environmentally deteriorated’.  The many factories and warehouses that abut the gardens in Stephenson Way, hum and clank at night - it's something that resident complain regularly about. Weeds grow prolifically in the curbs, many trees need attention, pavements and roads are in a very bad state of repair, and some gardens - particularly those owned and rented by the private sector - are in an unkempt state. Hazardous waste in the form of asbestos lies buried underground on the waste land next to the Pen Green Nursery in Pen Green Lane. The land - which used to be owned by Deejack Builders - is poorly fenced and in places the fence has completely collapsed. People walk across the ground and play there. The area is surrounded on three sides by residential property, and abutting it at the top end is the children's Under-Fives' Nursery. The brook over the dusty is continually blocked with rubbish, and rats can be seen scurrying about (recently a family of swans had to be rescued from the oil-laden lake and taken away by the RSPCA). In stormy weather the water overflows into people's gardens, leaving a fetid smelling sludge. The brook itself is continually discoloured with illegally dumped diesel oil, which causes an acrid odour to waft over the estate (this alarming situation was highlighted by the centre, and an effort was made on behalf of residents to save injured and exhausted water fowl from the oil). As a committee we want to promote awareness of the environment and educate residents on the dangers of letting it slide into ruin. We believe in individual action, such that each members of the area cares for their particular patch, whether it be the public footpath outside their front gardens or indeed the very land they live on. The environment will feature strongly in our newsletter and on our web site. In fact, you can read about the rescue of the swans at www.stevieway.freeuk.com

THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Corby East does not necessarily figure as the ward in Corby with the highest (or lowest) values on many 1991 Census indicators. However it does figure consistently near the top or bottom on many. According to the Census, the East Ward is 'worse off' than the Borough average. Figures available show that it has a high population turnover; high levels of single person households; low educational attainment (both for children and adults) and a high dependence on manufacturing jobs etc. The most important part of a young person's life is their gradual transition through school into employment. Research suggests that the key to keeping young people from offending - steering them away from alcohol, drug abuse, vandalism and burglary - is to develop an inclusive approach and to keep them in the system for as long as possible, firstly in school, then in training and then finally into employment. Corby, and in particular the East Lloyd's Estate, stands out as an area where young people are currently excluded in many ways, and as an area of multiple need. The committee is extremely aware and concerned about the needs of its youth and children, and intends to work extremely closely with the Youth Services to provide programs and activities that will benefit and enhance their lives. Many of them complain that there is 'nothing to do', that there is 'nowhere to go', and that the area is generally 'devoid of suitable entertainment and places of interest'. To keep them from feeling disaffected and alienated, we're inviting them onto our committee. From there they will have a real opportunity to change things from the inside. But that is just a start. We want to purchase games equipment, such as table tennis tables, football and basketball gear, cricket equipment and a host of other sporting tackle. But we need to strengthen young minds as well as bodies and need to educate in all manner of things - cooking, behaviour, crafts and culture. We want to encourage them to build and maintain their own Internet web site (with a cyber-nanny installed), and to participate in the newsletter. The program needs to be fun as well as serious; educative as well as light-hearted. Of course, we will need help, advice, and they will need expert supervision, but we are determined to provide the resources, the finances and opportunities that our youth and children need. We do not want them to be labelled as 'worse off' than the Borough average. We want them to be proud of the area they come from, and others to welcome them as responsible and intelligent citizens.

Date centre closed for refurbishment - December 15, 1998.
Klassy Klaws opened to the public in February, 1999.
Number of members using Klassy Klaws since February - 595.
Newly refurbished centre expected to open in July.
AGM in the main building - 7 July, 1999.

Employees - two caretaker/cleaners.

Committee -

Michael Quarrinton (chairman)
Arthur McAlpine (vice chair)
Elizabeth Ruthven (secretary)
Janet Quarrinton (treasurer)
Jeanette McCardie (minute secretary)
Jeannie Allanson
Anita Allanson
Gail Allanson
Sid Cramp
Emily McKellar

Councillor assigned to the centre - Mark Pengelly

Trustees -

Denis Taylor
Marshal Ferguson
Mike Crooks