Successful year for Residents’ Association
ACORN was conceived from a successful Neighbourhood Watch group operating in the area around Newton Aycliffe town centre and has become a representative group with no political bias interested only in improving the lives and environment of residents; whether private or in social housing.
To become a member of ACORN your only qualification needs to be a desire to improve our lives, respect for others and have a sense of humour. (Our motto is “having fun while getting things done”)
ACORN meetings are held monthly on the second Thursday of the month, 6pm at the Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre and are preceded at 5.30pm by a meeting of the junior section Little Acorns, which is also gaining popularity among young people who get to, make their own decisions about a variety of subjects and plan their own events.
The popular local residents group have had a brilliant first year supported by our friends at the big lottery fund, GAMP, Great Aycliffe Town Council, Durham County Council, livin Housing, Individual Councillors and private donations. Chairman Ken Robson said the support received for a fledgling group has been fantastic. However, we have been a little stretched financially on some projects and the match funding recently received from livin will allow us to improve on those events already planned for 2013 and allow other projects to be considered, which may not have been viable without this grant.
Much has been learned from the events that have already been put on. Feedback from events such as the popular Queen Elizabeth 11 Jubilee Party, Halloween party and Pantomime visit to Sleeping Beauty at the Gala Theatre Durham brought fantastic comments, whereas, the Christmas market proved to be less popular.
Picnics in our local parks with families engaging in games of rounder’s, football, crazy Olympic games and just being silly have been popular throughout the past year; although the great British weather has conspired to put a dampener on proceedings.
ACORN does have a more serious function in tackling local issues such as crime, anti-social behaviour, environmental problems and the general improvement of Newton Aycliffe and the surrounding area.
ACORN has supported our local CAB which we believe is a vital service to our community. ACORN has been proud to support the installation of free exercise equipment for the use of the public installed in West Park. ACORN strongly objected to the transfer of responsibility for wheely bin removal from the bin men to the public. Controversially, in conjunction with Great Aycliffe Residents Association, ACORN have been involved in supporting the campaign to bring back our Police Station into Newton Aycliffe.
ACORN regularly invite guest speakers and have had a variety of interests discussed, recent speakers have included Phil Wilson MP, Ron Hogg Police and Crime Commissioner, Syd Howarth locally respected businessman and editor of Newton News, Steve Cooper from Great Aycliffe Town Council.
Working closely with other organisations such as the police, safer neighbourhoods unit, Great Aycliffe Residents Association, Sedgefield Residents Federation, and County Durham Residents Association and encouraging the creation of other groups, ACORN has rapidly gained a reputation for common sense ideas, problem solving and commitment to the welfare of the community.
Why not come along and join us in making your town even better
Ken Robson, Chairman
ACORN
