October Updates from GRH OYD
WRITE IN & JOIN IN…….
GRH On your Doorstep is now emailed each month to 104 GRH email addresses.
Also an extra 23 emails are sent to other local people and ex-GRH residents that want to keep up with GRH.
AND in addition GRH residents have now begun writing to us with thoughts and ideas and grumbles.
(See story below ‘Let’s Talk Litter’)
If you want to email us with a grumble or an idea or even a compliment for someone please address your email to: grhresidents@live.com
LET’S TALK LITTER
A GRH resident has emailed us saying “I don’t mind doing the odd litter pick – to keep the view pleasant – but this Summer has seen a higher volume of litter than before and the only bin near the benches, though emptied quite often, hasn’t kept up with the littering. A second bin would help.”
The writer lives in one of the three cottages that lead up to the Jephcott bridge with wonderful views of Chase Green Gardens including three park benches. Unfortunately there is just one small bin alongside the three benches.
We asked someone who is an expert in such things whether he thought there were enough bins in the area. He replied, ‘There are 13 litter bins across the two green sides of the New River. It isn’t the bin that is an issue it’s the people that use the three benches and the frequency of the bin emptying.’
He went on to say that the bins are often in poor positions, are dirty, not fixed when they break and not emptied enough during peak times.
Interestingly, he then explained that responsibility for the 13 bins is shared between the Council Street Cleaning Service (Gentleman’s Row side including 4 bins) and the Parks Service (Chase Green side including 9 bins). These two departments may have different approaches to bin emptying and the frequency of it.
Our expert’s final comment was his most valid and interesting. ‘It’s about enforcement,’ he said, ‘Enforcement against those doing the littering and fly-tipping, those who don’t use a litter bin, don’t visit the tip and those who don’t book a bulky waste collection’.
It was an interesting meeting providing lots to think about !
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WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT GENTLEMAN’S ROW ?
During the Spring and Summer walking along Gentleman’s Row can be a very pleasant experience.
However, as winter approaches things can be rather different. Walking towads the Register Office the trees hang over the footpath and join with the six foot wall opposite to create a kind of tunnel effect. At one point one of the street lamps is suddenly covered with leaves creating a rather dark environment. As it now gets darker earlier people have mentioned to us that it can feel, ‘rather uncomfortable’.
Another GRH resident tells us that in the evening when she arrives at the bus terminus the easiest route to her house in Holly Walk is to walk along Gentleman’s Row. However, at this time of year she says ‘It’s a bit creepy and atmospheric’ so she decides to miss it altogether and take a longer route home. This means walking on the road and occasionally stepping out of the way as a car approaches.
GRH Committee will discuss possible solutions this challenge at their next meeting on November 19. If you have any points to make or ideas to share please write to: grhresidents@live.com
MORE CHRISTMAS FILMING
During the past five years the GRH area has been used three times for film and TV companies creating Christmas Advertisements. Four years ago they liked the attractive 1909 building that is the County School for Girls and last year they used the seventeenth century Clarendon Cottage as a suitable Christmas setting for Mary Berry’s Christmas Cooking Special.
Then, two weeks ago, it was the turn of Lidl to come up with Christmas ideas. A team of about fifteen technicians of various types were busy for the day on River View with a group of performers that included Shaun Williamson, who plays Barry in Eastenders, along with Football pundit Chris Kamara.
Later scenes included some of the performers approaching the front doors on River View in scenes that looked like something from Love Actually. They filmed well into the evening and the crowd that had gathered were both entertained and fascinated.
IT’S FUN, IT’S FREE & IT’S CHRISTMAS
All GRH residents are invited to join us for the Annual GRH Christmas Carol Singalong followed by a complimentary Buffet and Drink at The Cricketers.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 13.
· 6.00 Meet under the Gentleman’s Row Archway followed by half an hour singing our way along Holly Walk, Gentleman’s Row and River View joined and led by a professional singer to keep us in tune. A songsheet will be provided.
· 6.30 – 8.30 The GRH Committee will have arranged a light buffet with home made Christmas cake and a glass of wine to say Thank You to all GRH members for your support during the year.
PLEASE KEEP A NOTE OF THE DATE
It’s a real friendly, relaxing pre-Christmas occasion.
AS ALWAYS PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE:
Ideas on how to improve things
Stories you would like information on
Issues you would like to know about
Just write to us at the below address.
STAY IN TOUCH
EMAIL: grhresidents@live.com
WEBSITE: www.grhresidentsassociation.org
INSTAGRAM: @grhenfield
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/grhenfield