Cowgate News
Welcome to the fifth issue of Cowgate News!
October 2010
Udecided...
we delivered
Cowgate
Fortnight
Enterprising
Newcastle
Contacts to keep
Community Science Road-show
Community Development
Karen Brown – 0191 277 2450
Ward Co-ordinator
Rob Gillie – 0191 277 3569
Cowgate Neighbourhood Centre –
0191 277 1775
Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) –
0191 277 1000
Envirocall – 0191 274 4000
Udecide
08000 73 17 80
Family Health & Community Project –
0191 277 1762
Newcastle Futures
Mark Simmons – 07918 704 454
Northumbria Police – 0345 604 3043
Or in an emergency call 999
Places for People
Deb Botcherby – 0191 211 3101
Sure Start
Cowgate Office – 0191 277 1771
Blakelaw Office – 0191 214 2460
Youth Service
Ed Marley – 0191 277 1441
Play Service
Paul Moore – 0191 277 2675
Area Based Regeneration Team
Paul Marshall – 0191 277 1644
Paul Whiston – 0191 277 1640
Shamsun Choudhury – 0191 277 1827
Angela Barker – 0191 277 1828
Following on from the fantastic family
fun day that took place in August the
Community Science Team would like
to inspire you to do more.
We had a great time with everyone at the
‘family fun day with a twist’ and for those that
missed it here are some of the things that
went on. We watched a show about Newcastle
in the future and had fun with the ‘draw-bots’,
and everyone got their hands a bit dirty in the
green gym making hanging baskets. Some
even created a solar powered boat with the
Science Families Project and used their pedal
power to pour themselves a rewarding and
very refreshing drink on the smoothie bike!
Over the next few years we will continue to
deliver community-based events, workshops
and meetings to excite people about science.
We will be back out in the community with
more science fun soon but remember in the
mean time if you have any ideas for a science
based project please call the Community
Science Team on: 0191 406 0293 or email
[email protected] and we will
be happy to help!
This was the first community event delivered
by the Newcastle Science City Community
Science Project so thank you to everyone
who came along and made it such a success
– special thanks to the ATiC group who
provided food and refreshments.
ATiC’s big Sunday lunch
The warm weather seems a distant memory but it wasn’t too long ago that All Together
in Cowgate (ATiC) held their Olympic Big Lunch event at Cowgate Neighbourhood
Centre. As well as bringing together residents the lunch also helped celebrate
Newcastle Neighbour’s Day.
Over 200 people joined together to enjoy a delicious lunch provided by Cushty Café and ATiC
members as well as activities from, Amabutho Arts African Dance and the Urban Dance
Group, birds of prey and lots of games .
Many thanks go to everyone that was involved in the day, funders and partner organisations
including FHCP, Newcastle Futures, Ponteland Rd GP/Walk-In Centre, Newcastle City Council,
Places for People, Kenton Ward Committee and HealthWorks.
Anyone who would like to help at future events should contact
ATiC at Community Café, Cowgate Neighbourhood Centre
on Mondays 9.30am to 12.00pm, Tuesdays
3.30pm to 8pm and Fridays 9.30am to 12.00pm.
You can also find us on facebook under ATiC.
Keep your eyes on the Big Lunch website
at www.biglunch.com as well for the video
of the lunch.
Church group is at your service
Dozens of church group volunteers have
spent a week in the service of our community.
Members of the Newcastle Christian Life
Centre (NCLC) were already well known
to local people after a year spent helping
out with gardening, tidying and other activities
in the area. But they decided to go one step
further to show their commitment to Cowgate
by organising Servolution – a week-long
programme of projects and events at the
Cowgate Neighbourhood Centre, including
a training session with Gateshead Thunder
Rugby Clubs community sports team.
through serving, and although we had guys
coming out to Cowgate regularly helping
families and working with the care home, this
was a chance for us to show people here how
much we value them.”
The church group will soon be seen again
helping out at the Bonfire Night event on 5
November – so watch this space for details
or visit www.mynclc.co.uk for more information
on the church and its activities.
The week included a daily kids’ club,
gardening sessions, a women’s Sisterhood
tea party with cream teas and sandwiches,
and a free family barbecue.
Jon Cook, senior pastor at NCLC, said:
"Servolution is all about starting a revolution
2
3
Sunny Cowgate
Competition
Winners
Udecided...
we delivered...
Congratulations to Sharon
and David who won the latest
Cowgate News competition.
You might remember that in May this year, residents of Cowgate
were invited to vote for the projects that they thought would best
help to build trust and confidence in the community. 277 of you
did vote and you allocated £30,000 of funding from the Northumbria
Police Authority to 8 projects.
Here’s the winning photo! ...
don’t forget to enter this
edition’s competition on page 4.
Win £25 Eldon
Square Vouchers!
Enter our competition and you could win £25
Eldon Square vouchers. All you need to do is
spot the five sunflowers hidden in the pages
of Cowgate News and tell us where they are.
To enter either fill in the little form below
and send it in or email the colour of the
flower and what page number its on to
[email protected]. We must
receive your answers before Friday 5
November though – and remember to put
your name and contact details on. Good luck.
The pink sunflower is on page ......................
Name: ........................................................
Address: .....................................................
Residents of all ages and backgrounds told us that “Positive
Activities for Young People” were really important and they also
voted for “Summer Projects” and “Active Cowgate”. We thought
you would like to hear a bit more about some of what’s been
going on...
...................................................................
...................................................................
Email: .........................................................
Phone:........................................................
Kids Kabin’s Summer Street sessions
Over 50 children and young people took part in the sessions and many brought along their
broken bikes to bike repair workshops which moved around Cowgate in a trailer on the back
of a bike! They could also make a pancake at the street kitchen, have a go on the potter’s
wheel or make a smoothie on a bicycle!
We will be running more of these sessions in a number of streets into the autumn.
For more information ring 0191 295 3655 – see you soon!
Please send to:
Angela Barker
Area Project Officer
The blue sunflower is on page ...................... Newcastle City Council
Gosforth Customer Service Centre
The green sunflower is on page.................... Regent Farm Road
Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne
The purple sunflower is on page................... NE3 3HD
Kitchen Sink to Cat Walk
Women in Cowgate joined together to take full advantage of this free programme of
activities. Women's interests and welfare are the starting point for the project and have been
shaping the programme. Activities so far have included health and beauty, arts and crafts,
motivation and self awareness, good parenting, dealing with stress and lots, lots more. The
programme even helps with child care so busy mums can find time to come along too.
For more information contact co-ordinator Yvonne on 0191 265 8164.
Creative Cowgate
Our details
Please email your comments and questions on Cowgate News to:
[email protected] or phone 0191 277 1640.
If you need this information in another format or language please
phone on 0191 277 1640.
4
Young people aged 8 to 18 have been taking part in an exciting range of activities, including
DJ/ MC, singing and music production, street dance, Rap/Tech Music, Street Art, and T-shirt
design. And the results of all their hard work will be showcased this half term at two exciting
youth led arts events including performances in Cowgate and at the Sage Gateshead! So
keep your ears open.
For more information ring Louise Duff on 0191 443 4588
5
Bonfire Night Celebration in Cowgate!
Identify Cowgate
Designs for the new sign for Cowgate
Neighbourhood Centre are being presented
in the Centre so that you can choose your
favourite for the final design.
The designs were developed during weekly sessions
which took place throughout the summer holidays.
During the sessions Theresa Easton, a printmaker,
worked with young people and their parents from
Cowgate to bring together the designs and ideas,
exploring themes such as, ‘What do you love about
where you live?’ ‘What do you like to do?’
and ‘What is important to you?’
Many of the answers focussed on people, friends and family and how important it is to have
them around.
At the recent October workshop the designs from the summer sessions were whittled down
to three final designs and once you have chosen the winning design it will be sent to the enamellers
to create the new signage for the entrance of the Neighbourhood Centre.
Watch out and see if you can spot any of your artwork on the final sign!
International Mens Day
Did you know that there is an International Men’s Day? No? Well there is, and it’s taking
place on Friday 19 November.
Watch out this half term for a series of workshops as we get ready to celebrate bonfire
night. The workshops are part of the preparations going on to get everyone involved in
the big bonfire night event which will take place at the Neighbourhood Centre on Friday
5 November.
The workshops will take place during half term (starting on 25 October) from 2.00pm – 4.00pm
on Monday Tuesday and Thursday at the Cowgate Neighbourhood Centre and Wednesday
1.00pm to 3.00pm at St Peter’s Church. You can make lanterns for the parade as well as have
the opportunity to have a hand in making the Guy.
And don’t forget the main event – a fun and safe family celebration which will include a lantern
and drumming parade followed by lighting the bonfire at 6.15pm on the old school site and a
fireworks display from 7pm.
We really want Cowgate’s first annual bonfire night to be a success so it can become a regular
fixture in the Cowgate calendar, and for this we need your help so please come along.
Please remember as this is a family event no alcohol or fireworks – apart from main display –
will be allowed at the event. It’s also important to remember that privately organised bonfires
on public land are illegal.
If you would like more information on the workshops or about the bonfire night celebrations
please call Shamsun on 0191 277 1827 or email [email protected]
6
To celebrate, and following on from the fantastic International Women’s Day event earlier this
year, we’ve arranged a load of activities for men to do including activities around sports, health,
employment, robotics and some practical tips for you to take away. Lunch will be an all day
breakfast and there will be plenty to keep you busy. So please come and join us, don’t miss out
and look out for our reminder closer to the time
For further information contact Shamsun Choudhury on 0191 277 1827.
The Freedom Programme in Cowgate
If you are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence
in the home the SAFE project have begun a new programme
which can help you.
The Freedom Programme is for women affected by domestic violence, whether that is
physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse. Taking place over 12 weeks the programme
helps you understand your experiences and improve your confidence in a confidential, safe,
friendly and supportive environment.
It’s free to attend and a crèche and refreshments are provided as well. If you would like
to find out more or to book a place on the programme please phone The SAFE Project
on 0191 226 1155.
7
Helen Hindmarch
Cowgate fortnight
Cowgate Neighbourhood Centre Coordinator
We are happy to announce that the next Cowgate fortnight will be taking place from
25 October to 5 November with the fantastic finale of the first ever organised Cowgate
Bonfire Night celebration.
The fortnight of action will continue on from the work done earlier this summer where residents
came together for a range of events focussed around the Neighbourhood Centre. These
included clearing the ground for the big lunch event, a movie night in the newly refurbished
hall, a volunteer’s fair and a discussion about children and young people as well as advice
on how to set up your own business.
A lot of work has gone on to improve Cowgate and we need your help to make sure it gets
even better. So please come along, get involved and remember the 25 October!
For more information contact Shamsun Choudhury on 0191 277 1827 or email
at [email protected]
Hi I’m Helen Hindmarch the new Cowgate
Neighbourhood Centre Coordinator.
I’ve been working at the centre since 1 September 2010
and I’m in charge of making sure the centre is right
for the residents of Cowgate.
At the moment I’m planning a new programme
of activities and services for the centre – as well
as a launch to get it all started. But in the mean time
if you have any ideas about what the centre needs
please come and see me at the centre or call me
on 0191 277 1775.
Thanks, Helen
Gym’ll fix it
A new Green Gym volunteering project, delivered by Groundwork South
Tyneside and Newcastle, has started in Cowgate..
The Green Gym sessions run every Thursday from 10.30 to 12.30 and offer a range of activities
including environmental management and horticultural tasks. Based at the Cowgate
Neighbourhood Centre they especially focus on the allotment and orchard space and include
activities such as sowing vegetable seeds, ground maintenance for the site and crop
harvesting. The sessions provide the opportunity to develop a range of practical, leadership
and organisational skills as well as improving physical health and fitness.
The Green Gym project is jointly funded by Newcastle City Council Area Based Grant
and Adult & Culture Services. If you would like any more information or are interested
in coming out to try a Green Gym session please contact Rhoda, Groundwork South
Tyne and Newcastle, on 0191 428 1144, or email [email protected]
Cowgate Tenants and Residents Association
The next Cowgate Tenants and Residents
Association meeting will be held on
Thursday 25 November at 6pm in the
Cowgate Neighbourhood Centre.
We will be talking about three main issues
which are:
•
•
•
Antisocial behaviour
Housing issues
Traffic management
So if you have any thoughts or comments
about any of these issues or are just interested
to hear what’s going on please come along.
8
If you would like more
information or would like to
find out more about what was
discussed at the last meeting
please contact Corrina on:
0191 232 1371
[email protected]
or Karen on:
0191 277 2459
[email protected]
9
Cowgate families need you!
Dear Cowgate resident,
My name is Christina Richardson and I am
keen to hear from anyone who has a passion
for family life and believes they can help to
make a difference in a family’s future.
Working for the charity Action for Children, I have
just embarked on a year-long project in your area
to recruit and train local people to work with
and support local families with children over five
years old.
to meet with a family once a week for three to six
months as well as attending monthly support
meetings.
Enterprising Newcastle – Be Inspired
So if you feel you have what it takes to do
something special for a family in your area,
you can find out more by either dropping in to
see me at the Sure Start Cowgate/Blakelaw
Children’s Centre at the Cowgate Neighbourhood
Centre, or by calling 0191 277 1768.
The families we match you up with won’t be
the only ones to benefit. When you become
a Cowgate Family Support Volunteer, you’ll
be matched with a local family and be given
ongoing support as well as receive out of pocket
expenses and gain accredited training – and who
knows where that might lead?
To become a Cowgate Family Support Volunteer
you need to commit to a number of meetings
and training sessions. This includes being able
The Newcastle Enterprise Package has supported hundreds of people into business
over the past 18 months and now we want to help you.
Community Payback
You may have noticed that the Community
Payback Scheme has been busy working
in Cowgate to help spruce up the estate.
Recognisable by their high visibility orange
jackets, offenders, who are part of the
scheme, have worked over 300 hours
a month in Cowgate. They have cleared
pathways, trimmed back bushes as well
as other general clear ups as part of their
sentence for the crimes they have committed.
What’s more is that you can apply to the
Community Payback Scheme if you have
a project you would like them to help out with.
Projects must meet the criteria and can be
a variety of activities from removing graffiti
to re-decorating a community centre. All the
offenders are supervised by Northumbria
Probation Trust and are carefully assessed
to make sure they are not a risk to the public.
Mark Archer, Community Payback manager
for Newcastle, explains: “Community Payback
is a really important sentence. It punishes the
10
offender by requiring them to complete
demanding physical work unpaid. The work
carried out in and around the city has helped
create a cleaner and safer place for the public
to enjoy.”
So if you have a project you think Community
Payback could help out with or to find out
more about the criteria, please visit
www.northumbria-probation.co.uk and fill in
the Community Payback suggestion form.
Working with a number of enterprise support organisations, we work with new and existing
businesses to help them grow and succeed. The package has funding of over £3 million from
European and City Council funding, and is there to help people consider self employment
as a realistic option.
One of our recent success stories is Stephen Ferrell, 28, who dreamed of having his own
events business and now through his dedication, and a little business help from PNE and the
Newcastle Enterprise Package, Stephen has made his dream a reality.
Vibrance Music was set up to provide the best products and services for the House, Techno,
Electro and Drum & Bass scenes in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Stephen has a wonderful expansive knowledge of the music scene in the North East and has
a contact base of individuals who are willing and able to assist with the business, including
local DJs.
Vibrance music has already hosted its first event night at The Venue night club in Newcastle,
which was a great success.
When interviewing Stephen, the question was asked ‘What advice would you give to others
in the same situation?’ - “Do it – go for it” was Stephen’s response.
“Go through the business planning process, whether you need finance or not. It helps build
confidence and is completely free”
Stephen is just one example from many Newcastle residents who have benefited from
the Newcastle Enterprise Package. If you would like more information on how the
Newcastle Enterprise Package can help you, please call 0191 278 1855.
11
12
13
er
ce
lowan college for fur th
l
A
e
c
n
intena ing at school or n a low income
a
M
n
o
y
tio
and sta our family are d a bonus
Educa
ance
an
d 16-18
ry
inten
ou o
u age
week
tion Ma its
Are yo
o and y up to £30 a
a
s
c
u
f
I
d
E
?
ef
e
et
ion
educat t be able to g r term, with th any other ben
e
h
t
p
c
you mig of up to £100 does not af fe
t
A
n
A
payme e (EMA). EM
the EM
e
c
n
n
o
a
h
w
Allo
or m, p Gov website
f
s.
it
d
m
i
e
a
r
l
c
dac
irect
or tax
ion an r visit the D
t
a
m
r
o
re inf
219, o
For mo – 0808 1016
e
.
helplin irect.gov.uk
d
.
w
It’s never to
a t ww
o late to lea
rn new skills
With the Adu
!
lt Learning G
rant (ALG), yo
per week while
u
could get up
you’re studyin
to £30
g.
If you are ove
r 19 or if you
missed gettin
at school, you
g your qualific
can use ALG
ations
to study for a
qualifications
wide range o
, including BT
f
ECs, NVQs, G
Depending on
CSEs and A-L
your circumsta
evels.
nces ALG can
£1000 a year.
be worth up to
For more info
rmation, and
to get an app
can either co
lication pack
ntact your co
, you
llege’s Stude
call the Learn
n
t Services te
er Support h
am or
elpline free o
n 0800 121 8
989.
Christi
ans Ag
ainst P
Its alm
ost a y
overty
ear sin
Christia
(CAP)
c
e the n
ns Aga
at
inst Po
ional d
Newca
ver
ebt
stle
through . Since then ty (CAP), ope counselling
ch
w
o
n
trauma ut the city ma e have helpe ed its first cen arity,
d
tic con
n
tre in
hundre
sequen age their de
ds of p
bt and
ces de
e
ople
We of f
overco
bt can
er a fre
m
h
a
e
v
the
e.
ea
people
practic nd confident
ia
a
l solutio
the wo
l ser vic
rst thin
g anyo ns and emot e to anyone
a
io
ne can
So to f
do is s nal suppor t. nd give
ind he
t
Remem
ay silen
lp
on 080
ber
t.
0 328 0 and a lastin
g solu
006, or
call 01
ti o
274 76
0720 o for more info n, simply ca
l
r visit
www.c r mation abo l free
ut CAP
apuk.o
,
rg
14
s
heck
c
t
i
f
ble
ene
ee b s being a o
r
f
g
als
ll a
erin
e of f e. As we you can
r
p
a
l
s
e
to h lfare Right f Cowgat t to claim, age debt.
e
r
e
o
e
a
H
an
k
tle W residents and wh ow to m
s
a
c
chec
h
ow
s
t
t
i
h
u
f
New vice to
t
o
e
u
o
ab
or
ben
ad
work e advice
free 77 2627 y
and
u
a
o
y
d
2
f re
lp
da
an
0191 ay to Fri dvice
to he per t and
efits
n
n
e
o
b
d
s
x
ur
on
’s A
ght
get e
on yo elfare Ri 12.30 M e Citizen .00am –
e
c
i
o
ry.
r adv
a t th
tle W
.30 t
re 10
So fo Newcas 1050, 9 ly call in od Cent t necessa
o
e
7
n
e
phon 0191 27 Alter nativ ighbourh ppointme
e
e
a
.
N
n
no
pho bt advice owgate
ay –
d
i
r
e
C
F
d
e
ts
for
and
t th
erigh
au a Monday
r
e
a
r
f
u
l
B
we
m on
v.uk/
o
g
.
2.00p
e
stl
ewca
n
.
w
Free School
ww
Meals
Did you know
that children
are entitled to
meals if their
free school
families receiv
e certain ben
Income Supp
e
fits, including
ort and incom
e-based Jobs
eekers Allowa
Make sure yo
nce?
u’re not miss
ing out by p
0191 211 532
honing
3 or call into
any Custom
Centre to sp
er Service
eak to a mem
ber of staff.
15
Kenton Ward
Kenton Ward Co-ordinator
Rob Gillie
Kenton Ward Co-ordinator
Phone: 0191 277 3569
Email: [email protected]
Kenton Ward Committee
The next Kenton ward committee will take
place on Wednesday 17th November at
6.30pm in the Hall of the Church of the
Ascension, Creighton Avenue, Kenton.
This meeting will focus on 'Children
and Young People'.
Ward Committee meets every two months
and gives you the opportunity to hear more
about what’s happening in your area as well
as speak to your local councillors about your
concerns. Don’t forget local voluntary and
community groups can also apply to the Ward
Committee for grant aid.
For more details please contact your Ward
Co-ordinator Rob Gillie on 277 3569
or email [email protected].
Ward Councillors
Councillor Ged Bell
c/o Members’ Services Unit
Room 150, Civic Centre
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE99 2BN
Phone: 0191 230 0399
Email: ged.bell@newcastle.
gov.uk
Labour
Councillor Margaret Carter
c/o Members’ Services Unit
Room 150, Civic Centre
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE99 2BN
Phone: 0191 284 8088
Email: margaret.carter
@newcastle.gov.uk
Labour
Councillor Stephen Lambert
32 Ivy Road, Gosforth
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE3 1DB
Phone: 0191 213 1641
Email: stephen.lambert
@newcastle.gov.uk
Labour
Councillors surgeries
1st Saturday of each month
(Except August and Bank Holiday weekends)
Kenton Neighbourhood Centre
Hillsview Avenue
North Kenton
10.30am – 11.30am
1st Saturday of each month
(Except August and Bank Holiday weekends)
Kenton Bar Drop-in Centre
Mallowburn Crescent
10.30am – 11.30am
2nd Saturday of each month
(Except August and Bank Holiday weekends)
Montagu Estate Residents Association
(MERA) Hall
Wyndley Place
Montagu Estate
10.30am – 11.30am
3rd Friday of each month
(Except August and Bank Holiday weekends)
Cowgate Neighbourhood Centre
Moorview Crescent
4.00 – 5.00pm