THE STORY SO FAR...
Only a couple of years ago we were in big trouble out here on the eastern edge of the North Worcestershire town of Kidderminster!
To cut a very long story short a large gang of kids were making life hell on the centre of the Comberton Estate.
Things got pretty desperate!
We set up the Offmore Comberton Action Group bringing together Residents, Churches, Shop Keepers, Councillors, Wyre Forest Committee Housing and its Street Wardens, the Council, Police and Schools to face up to the issues.
Yes, we wanted to tackle the nuisance and vandalism but we also pledged to improve facilities for young people and to raise the reputation of the area.
Five Anti Social Behaviour Orders and a lot of work later we have tackled the ring leaders. It wasn't easy! However, crime and nuisance in the area has fallen away!
We have also raised £200,000 in funding from Living Spaces, Wyre Forest Community Housing, Wyre Forest District Council, Kidderminster Youth Trust and the Wyre Forest Crime Prevention Partnership.
Wyre Forest Community Housing as our agents on the project have been brilliant!
On July 17th we opened Borrington Road Park with a great kids' play area, skateboard park, multi purpose ball park, leisure area and dedidated dog walking area. We still have a lot to do but this was a brilliant start and the kids are all out there enjoying it now!
The story continues...
...Our very own Rose Bishop was awarded the High Sherrif of Worcestershire's Award for Community Service for 2004! The award was presented at West Mercia Constabulary's Hindlip Hall Headquarters.
...We are the joint winners of the 'Tenant Participation Advisory Service' Participation into Practice Award Crime Reduction Competition - Anti Social Behaviour category - for 2004. The TPAS is supported by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Corporation. The first prize is £1,000 to plough back into local projects. The Award will be presented at the TPAS Conference in Birmingham in August!
AWARDS...
Offmore Comberton Action Group
bringing people together to improve our area
Satisfied customers...
Street Warden Bob Kautzner deep in conversation...
Cllrs Mike Kelly, Lynne Hyde & Fran Oborski...
The Ball Park...
The wheels area...
On the beat...
Kids in action...
Getting the bird...
Cllr Fran Oborski, Richard Taylor MP and OCAG's Rose Bishop...
Lots of happy customers...
Lots of busy youngsters...
and the following day things were still busy
Offmore Comberton Action Group:-
Cllr. Mike Oborski (Chairman)
Rev. Hugh Burton (Vice-Chairman)
Dave Underhill (Secretary)
Keith Budden (Treasurer)
Rose Bishop (Committee Member)
Margaret Gregory (Committee Member)
The Offmore / Comberton Action Group
6 Osborne Close, Kidderminster, Worcs. DY10 3YY
Tel: 01562 823911
Fax: 01562 861145
