Madeley Matters

February 2003

Email contacts:

Local Links:

Page 3

Sir Alexander Fleming a new dawn...

A host of celebrities dropped in for the official opening of The Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School.

Richie Woodall unveiled a VIP plaque, made by Madeley Co

urt School. Also a commemorative bench was flown in by helicopter for the school garden, which was planted in memory of members of the Calland family. The children were all excited about the day, but also wanted to show their support and special thoughts for little Lucas Calland and his family.

“We are really delighted with the new school and are looking forward to the day as an important way of saying thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to get the school up and running and continues to give us their support. I would like to particularly thank the Commandant of the DHFS at RAF Shawbury, Group Captain Bob Tizard, for allowing their training flight to take place at the same time as the opening”.

Headteacher, Colin Fleetwood

“I would like to thank everyone for their contribution to our opening, especially Lord Grocott and our MP David Wright, members of Telford & Wrekin Council, my fellow governors, school staff and most importantly, all our pupils and their parents”.

Sir Alexander Fleming New Learning Project –

The AFLP has been successful in its first few months of opening in offering local people the opportunity to access new learning opportunities. Courses on offer have varied from computers for the beginner, first aid to arts and crafts. The courses are on offer free to local people and there is also a crêche available to parents with young children.

The good news is a new worker Marie Blake has been appointed the Community Learning Worker for the project. She is based in the newly refurbished Sutton Hill Community Centre, and will be organising new courses shortly.

If you, a friend or family member are thinking about returning to learning, whether for fun, or to gain a qualification, pop in and see Marie for a confidential chat or phone her on 01952 587956.

Don’t forget, it’s never too late to learn!!!

The Woodside Regeneration Project

Fighting for Funding

The fight for funding for improvements to the Woodside Estate is right at the top of the agenda for both Telford & Wrekin Council and The Wrekin Housing Trust.

Over the past few months some of the top staff from Government Agencies have visited the Estate:

• The Chief Executive of Government Office West Midlands
• The Deputy Chief Executive of the Housing Corporation
• The Chief Executive of English Partnerships
• A senior Director and Board Member of English Partnerships

A team from the Treasury toured the Estate at the end of January and there was a visit in the same month from the Transport Minister.

Woodside Centre

Everyone who has been to Woodside has agreed that action is urgently needed to sort out some of the issues and problems that have been raised by residents. They have all promised to work with us in partnership to try and raise the money that is needed.

As well as visits from Government Agencies, Telford and Wrekin MPs David Wright and Peter Bradley have been lobbying hard for Woodside behind the scenes. In fact, through their lobbying, David and Peter were able to get an adjournment debate about New Towns in the House of Commons. Woodside and South Telford were mentioned in the debate, which took place at the end of January.

All this means that Woodside really is at the top of the agenda both regionally and nationally!

All the hard work has already paid dividends. Woodside has been awarded £1.5m funding under the Home Zones Challenge Scheme. English Partnerships and Advantage West Midlands have together awarded funding for experts in housing, retail, transport and employment to look at Woodside and work with residents to see what improvements can be made to the Estate.

There is still a lot to be done, but we have already come a long way. With the support of residents and by working together with partners locally, regionally and nationally, we hope that we can soon start to deliver some of the improvements that the people of Woodside want and deserve.