Forum Topic

Haverfield Estate

I've read Mr.P.Walsh's comments regarding this area together with other responses and feel that as a resident of thirty odd years can comment on the social history of this place.Firstly, he mentions that some of the undergound car parks were boarded up.  Bricked up, more like. Two of the four blocks have a drive through access for council business and have been redesigned accordinlly.  The other two blocks have had the past design fault indesgrssions hidden from public view.  If, for instance, the underground car parks could only be accessed by tenants (and their offspring) would this have solved the problem to the fires?  I think not.This was a first hand experiment of over development within a small area and shows failure at the first hurdle.Secondly, does the Haverfield have an active residents association? Heavan forbid it gets like the Ivybridge shenanigans that have taken place on this site of late, but it should have a representative voice in this area.The Haverfield is not a ghetto.  It is part of the area and should be represented accordingly.

S Passmore ● 6339d6 Comments

Actually, I was a member of the reformed residents association, back in the mid eighties.  I know there was a previous T/RA prior to this who were 'given' the old St Georges school as a community centre. Then things went awry between them and the council.  But that was then.When myself and two neighbours were on the original committee and were involved with certain decisions relating to the redesign of the concrete walkways to make them into seperate blocks, which included replacing the roofing (the bad design of which was highlighted during the 1987 storms), windows, and of course the security entrances, it was music to some of the residents' ears because, at that time, they felt they had been locked away in a huge concrete tomb.In hindsight I feel we were nothing more than pawns so the council could get the government grants that were being dished out at that time to improve the rundown and neglected properties within the councils' remit. We did give the council a good run for their money though. LOL!  We also made sure each and every tenant had a quarterly newsletter to keep them updated with stuff that was going on.  To me, communication was and is a very valid mechanism to inform everybody of progress of situations. We had to print our stuff on duplex mimeograph thingies but in this day and age it would be so easy to whip off from a computer.  But does this happen now?Then after the major work was on-going, some people wanted to join the RA and to start squibbling on about minor issues.  I do recall one certain person bleeting on about bingo nights for elderly residents when others were whinging about play facilities for younger children.  Of course the council probably bent over backwards to provide these type of deversions from any major on-going issues.  That really wasn't my scene and I left them all to their internal squabblings.So, Mr Batty, my facts are straight.  We can all harp on about the past but what does the RA do these days?  Are we all kept informed?  Do we still get newsletters?  Or better, view info on a website?  Info on AGMs?  Before/after the event? What about maintainance issues?  Especially caretaking/cleaning, of lack of?  There are issues to be addressed these days without resorting to wittering on about security entrances and such-like which actually were sorted out over a decade or so ago.     

S Passmore ● 6329d

I can clarify that there is a very active residents commitee on the haverfield estate and there has been quiet alot that has been done along with the security door entrances on all the blocks to dealing with residents issues relating to anything from problems within there own property's.....the bingo nights as mentioned is nothing to do with the residents commitee neither are the seaside coach trips these are seperate run things for residents on the estate if residents actualy found out facts first then they would realise that half of the improvements on the estate would not have got carried out or finnished without the residents commitee giving the council the kick in the right direction

John Batty ● 6329d

There is a RA on the estate and one for the Towers to. It does represent the area on variuos housing forums and is of course a democratic organisation so getting involved is always welcomed. There is also a Mission Hall management committee that manages the Mission Hall.Currentley there is also a Haverfield and Towers action group headed by the local safer neighbourhood team that has various representatives on it including the two RA's I am aware of the following that has come from these groups,Establishment of a youth night at Mision hall,Extension built on the side of Mission Hall to allow for a crecheRegular adult education clasess run form the Mission HallRA Chair regularly deals with residents complaints and often gets better results than local Cllrs (I know as I used to be one!)Clean up days concentrating on the Pits area, all grafiti painted out (and still gone)New bins installed on the estateWorking towards better CCTVCommunity Pay back scheme on the estate, litter picking and clearing overgrown and untidy areasI am sure there are many other things they have done including organising fundays, and yes trips to the seaside and bingo nightsThe RA were also involved in the redevlopment that nearley got completed some years ago when the removed the Ramps on the flats and introduced door entry systems as well as extended some gardens to eliminate alleyways (I think the money ran out before this ever got completed)So if you want to get involved or have particular issues you want to raise, I am sure you will be welcome with open arms

Luke Kirton ● 6339d

I am certainly aware of the history in Isleworth and most of it spurred me on to be a councillor.I must admit your comment that local government likes compliance not confrontation made me smile and I think there could well be an element of truth there in some sections though I hasten to add not the majority.Have you and your neighbours ever considered starting your own Residents Association on the Estate if you feel you need one,there is plenty of help and assistence available if you fancied the idea?

Paul Fisher ● 6339d

Maybe it does. However, they don't represent themselves very coherently, if at all.  More like a bit of a 'closed shop', more concered with running bingo drives and publically funded trips to seaside than representing the views of the populace on the estate. Seems to me local government likes compliance not confrontation. It's like bung a bit of money at them instead of addressing real issues.Perhaps one of the councillors would also like to comment about the St Georges community centre?  I know this was all before your times, but you all should be aware of the history, surely?

S Passmore ● 6339d

I am pretty sure that the Haverfield Estate does have a Residents Association but I am sure that Cllr Harmer could clarify this for you.

Paul Fisher ● 6339d