MRA Chairman’s Report for 2024
At last year’s meeting I explained why the committee had taken the
decision to suspend the regular coffee mornings. We recognised
that this would not be popular with everyone and were sorry to
disappoint those members who had enjoyed and loyally supported
them. However, we hope that the programme of events put in their
place has enabled members to meet up socially.
Our first event in 2024 was the Cake Coffee and Chat held at the
Carless Eco Centre on a sunny but slightly chilly April day.
It was well attended and gave a number of people who had not been to the Centre before a chance to discover it and see what Justine Marklew,
The Trust Education and Outreach Officer and her team of helpers are offering.
The July Garden Party at the Nettlefold Garden was not blessed with fine weather which we believe contributed to a lower attendance than we had hoped for.
At one point we all had to retreat under the gazebo to escape heavy rain but, undaunted, some of us joined in dancing to the live accordian music.
The event was popular with families whose younger children enjoyed the entertainment provided by Major Mustard, Mike Frost.
The event was a joint event with the Nettlefold Garden Committee and thanks must go to Nettlefold Committee member Caroline Porter and her husband Luke.
Setting up the Cake Coffee and Chat event and the Garden Party brought home to the Committee our need for some younger blood
to help with the more physical aspects of committee work.
We decided to put together a list of people we could call upon on such occasions – sort of associate Committee members.
Committee Member Carl Parkes is coordinating this initiative.
In September as well as having a table at the Heritage Festival event the Association hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning and although a donation of £ 200 was made (in contrast with £400 the previous year) , once again numbers were disappointing. It was felt that numbers might have been down coming, as it did, so soon after the very well attended Heritage Festival.
The final event of the year in December was Carols In The Hall, at which mulled wine and mince pies were served. Once again, the singing was ably led by Jules Bellingham with Geoff Salminen on the piano. The hall gradually filled up and we ended with a rousing rendition of We Wish You a Merry Christmas and this seems set to
become a tradition!
Throughout the year we have continued to monitor planning applications and as Chair I have been in contact with residents
and prospective new residents who have had questions about the
restrictions on alterations resulting from the Estate’s conservation status. To give some further guidance which is easy to access, the
Association produced its Design Guide. A copy of the document was delivered with The Duck to every house on the Estate and copies were also provided to the Trust Office.
It is also now on our website. Additionally we either hand delivered or posted copies to
the local estate Agents and letting agents so that knowledge about
the Conservations rules and guidelines, which are in place to preserve the very special and attractive appearance of our Estate,
may be more widely known. I must acknowledge the hard work put in by Committee member Sarah Hanson to bring this project to fruition.
It has become clear that we are working in tandem with The Trust, and it is hard sometimes to see the join.
Add in The Duck and Facebook and I understand why residents on the Estate sometimes struggle to appreciate the difference between the two organisations.
The Trust grew out of the Association at the time when most of the Estate was purchased from Grainger plc, a process that concluded when the Offices were acquired at the end of 2023.
There are still approximately 50 houses on the Estate which are owned by Grainger and last year the company indicated its intention to sell these.
This announcement understandably caused some anxiety to those residents who are Grainger Tenants.
The MRA was able to set up face to face meetings with Grainger for
any tenant who wished to discuss their individual situation which
varied depending on length of tenancy or personal situation. The
Association did not play a part in these discussions limiting its
involvement to arranging the meetings. The feedback we received was that the tenants had found the meetings useful.
The Committee believes the time has come to consider the relationship between the Trust and the Residents Association
and at the Association’s request we will be in discussion with
the Trust shortly. This does not mean that any decisions have been taken about a way forward, rather that we want to explore the possibilities.
There will always be a particular role for The Association as it exists specifically to represent the interests of those living on the Estate.
In the last twelve months we have seen how proactive the Trust has become in promoting as well as running events at the Hall,
Nettlefold Garden and the Carless Eco Centre. Of course, many of us are involved in those too,
as well as the many flourishing clubs and societies on the Estate.
We feel perhaps we need to redefine the Association’s role and position.
I end by thanking the Hall manager Barbara Nomikos who is always so supportive,
and Clare Gordon, Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator who with Barbara has helped to promote our events.
Thanks also to Justine Marklew the Trust Education and Outreach Officer.
My thanks also to Norma Mason, Association Secretary and the rest of the Committee who
make it possible to put on our events and who support me in my
role as Chair. Particular thanks go to Mike Foster who has just stepped down from his role as Treasurer.
Mike has been a staunch supporter of the Association and has done a great job.