Your Rykneld - Edition 38 - January 2017

Your Rykneld R Y K N E L D

H O M E S

Community Spirit Winners!

See page 4

C U S T O M E R S

M A G A Z I N E

Working with communities See page 8

3 8 T H E D I T I O N • J A N U A RY 2 0 1 7

Stars in their eyes!

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Welcome Welcome to our first edition of Your Rykneld in 2017!

We’re getting off to a great start in the new year by celebrating the work of all those people who were nominated for a Community Spirit Award.

In the last issue of Your Rykneld we invited you to nominate an individual or group who has gone the extra mile to support their neighbour or local community. Thanks to everyone who sent in a nomination and wrote to say how much they appreciated the kindness and support they had received.

The nominations spoke of the care and commitment shown by the unsung heroes and heroines of our estates and villages and how their actions can make such a difference to someone’s life or their local community.

Choosing the winners was always going to be difficult, so congratulations to Sandra Thompson and Pilsley Community Football Club who have both received £150 in shopping vouchers. To find out more about their achievements see page 4 and 5.

In this issue we’ve also included lots of useful information to help you – including advice about staying warm and safe this winter and the dates for our estate walkabouts over the coming months.

Don’t forget we always welcome feedback on our services or suggestions for changes you might want to see – so take the opportunity to have your say and fill in our Comment Form on the back page of this magazine.

Get Cooking project in Renishaw

See page 15

Contents 06

7 Keep warm this winter Check out our advice about keeping warm and well this winter.

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Mixing with the stars!

Read about the acting career of a Holmesfield customer.

13 What you said about us Find out what some of our customers have been saying about Rykneld Homes.

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Change of details?

Have your contact details changed recently? To help us keep our contact information up to date, it would be a great help if customers could let us know if they have changed their landline telephone, mobile telephone or email addresses.

This will help speed up how quickly we can contact you and ensure you receive the best service possible.

To let us know your latest details please contact our Contact Centre on 01246 217670.

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20 Give us your best shot Enter our photo competition to find the best shots of North East Derbyshire.

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Newsbrief Work starts on new homes

Positive futures

Work started in December on a scheme to build 50 new homes in North Wingfield.

We are replacing 45 houses on part of the Alma estate with a mixture of bungalows and family homes on nearby land.

The scheme will be known as Wingfield Court and is part of the Council’s and Rykneld’s long term plans to regenerate nontraditionally built homes in our district.

We’re getting behind a fantastic project to support young people and the community in Holmewood and Heath.

Rykneld Homes is taking part in the Postive4Young People (P4YP) scheme which has been awarded almost £10,000 to deliver activities in the area, starting in January.

We will be organising cooking on a budget courses which have been very successful in other parts of the district.

P4YP recently received funding for a local artist to work with young people to paint a 35 foot mural of Baden Powell on the Scout Hall in North Wingfield in celebration of 100 years of scouting.

Congratulations!

Gas servicing keeps you safe Every year we carry out servicing to your gas or solid fuel heating appliances to keep you and your family safe.

It is essential that you keep your servicing appointment for your own safety.

We do write to customers with an appointment date and time – if these are not convenient, please let us know as soon as possible so we can rearrange it.

Our priority is to keep you, your family and your home safe.

Well done to the winners of our recent customer satisfaction survey prize draws!

Steven Bell from Holmgate was the winner of our Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey. He received £250 in shopping vouchers. Thanks to everyone who also returned their survey – your comments are helping us to shape our future service delivery.

The winner of our quarterly Customer Satisfaction survey was Mary Vaughan from Tupton. She received £50 in shopping vouchers. Anyone who fills in one of our satisfaction survey forms is automatically entered into our quarterly draw – so please let us know what you think about our services and you could be our next winner!

Pay to Stay will not go ahead In the October issue of Your Rykneld we informed you about government plans to charge some customers an increased rent – known as Pay to Stay.

The government has since decided not to go ahead with its proposals. The change will no longer be compulsory.

Steven Bell

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COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARDS

Community Spirit Awards 2016

The winners! hanks to everyone who submitted a nomination in our 2016 Community Spirit Awards.

Our judges were impressed with the care, help and commitment shown by so many of you – whether helping a neighbour or benefiting your local community.

The awards are about saying a big thank you to all the people who make our district a better place to live – the unsung heroes and heroines who make such a difference.

Choosing the winners was a difficult task but we’ve included here the two nominations which our judges felt said so much about Community Spirit in North East Derbyshire.

The winners both received £150 in shopping vouchers.

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Community Spirit Awards 2016

Winner of the Good Neighbour Award.

Sandra Thompson from Apperknowle was the winner. Sandra was nominated by her neighbour Adrienne Van Mierlo.

Adrienne had this to say about Sandra who helped her after she came out of hospital following surgery.

“Without her constant care and help, I feel I would not have progressed as well as I did. She has walked and cared for my dogs, washed, ironed, cleaned and shopped,” said Adrienne.

“She did all of these things for me with a constant and happy demeanour.

“Two weeks after surgery my cat and dog died within the same week. Sandra kept me strong even though she was just as devastated as myself.

“I am not the only neighbour that Sandra ‘watches over’. She is always willing to help and has become a truly wonderful friend and neighbour to me and I consider myself blessed to have her in my life. In a nutshell, Sandra is an angel who has lost her wings!”

Sandra was amazed to find she had won our Award.

Left to right Adrienne Van Mierlo, Sandra Thompson, Lorraine Shaw, Managing Director of Rykneld Homes 4 YOUR RYKNELD JANUARY 2017

COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARDS

Nominating someone

Pilsley Community Football Club

“I couldn’t believe it when the phone rang to say I had won the Community Spirit Award, I almost put the phone down as winning £150 is too good to be true! I was very overwhelmed and emotional that I had been nominated for this as I help people without expecting the recognition.

“In my opinion community spirit is about caring about your community by supporting people less fortunate than yourself. Life is so hectic and everyone is in a rush doing their own thing. Maybe sometimes we should try to stop and think about elderly people who might need help and haven’t got relatives living close by or other people who may be struggling and how you can help them.”

2015 Good Neighbour Award finalist, Stuart Brown.

Winner of the Community Group Award Pilsley Community Football Club was the winner. They were nominated by Sharon Heath from Pilsley.

Sharon had this to say: “I feel this Club deserves the upmost recognition for all the individuals who give up a huge amount of their time to the youngsters of Pilsley and surrounding area.

“The Club was founded back in 2014 with just one children’s football team and running men’s team.

Today, we have 15 teams, a club shop, a Nike sponsorship deal, this is all in just two years and it’s still growing!! What an achievement!!

“All this has been achieved though kind volunteers who run each team and give up their time to run training sessions and co-ordinate matches.

“They are the ‘unsung heroes’ and without them there wouldn’t be a club. Also without very kind sponsorship from community members and local companies the children wouldn’t have new kits and training wear every season.

“All these individuals who work hard to improve the community have full time jobs and families and still turn up, week in, week out to give their commitment.

“It’s been achievable because of all the individuals, volunteers and behind the scenes people, working hard to make it a success.”

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NEWSBRIEF

Temporary centre closure Please be aware the North Wingfield Community Resource Centre will close for one week commencing Monday 13 February to allow works to be carried out on the building.

Rykneld Homes will not be able to offer a housing service from the centre that week but is scheduled to reopen on Monday 20 February 2017.

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Customers will still be able to make payments by: n

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Setting up a Direct Debit – please phone our Contact Centre on 01246 217670 or visit our website at www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Using a Debit/Credit Card and telephoning the Rykneld or Council Contact Centres.

Paying online through the Rykneld or Council websites Visiting anywhere displaying the Payzone symbol Using a cheque or Postal Order.

During the closure our nearest available Area Housing Office is in Clay Cross on Market Street. You can also visit any of our alternate Area Housing Offices and One Stop Shops at:

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Dronfield: Dronfield Sports Centre in the Civic Centre.

Killamarsh: Spencer Street, Killamarsh.

For enquiries about making a payment please contact our Contact Centre on 01246 217670.

A night at the theatre Our Community Involvement Team joined forces with First Art group to take customers from across North East Derbyshire to enjoy a fantastic evening out at the theatre to watch ‘The Carpenters Story’.

Rykneld Homes organised the trip and paid for the transport to the theatre whilst First Art contributed 50% towards the cost of the tickets, with attendees contributing the other 50%.

We invited customers and residents that we work with at Apperknowle, Marx Court at Clay Cross, Holmgate Darby and Joan, and Rawlins Court.

The trip was about encouraging people to get out and about and build up new friendship networks.

River cruise Our Community Involvement Team worked with the Grassmoor Friendship Group to help them increase membership of the social club.

They applied for our Neighbourhood Improvement Budget funding to buy a Kurling set and we helped them to organise a cruise on the River Trent.

Missed repair appointments It is important you let us know as soon as possible if a repairs appointment is no longer convenient.

You can let us know by calling us on 01246 217670. Missed appointments waste time and resources.

Grassmoor Friendship Group

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KEEP WARM, STAY SAFE THIS WINTER

Keep warm, stay safe this winter During the winter months it’s best to be prepared for whatever the weather might throw at us.

We’ve developed a special information guide on our website which gives useful advice about how to keep yourself and your home safe and well during severe cold spells.

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Try to keep the heating on – we appreciate this may not always be easy due to the cost of fuel – but this can stop pipes from freezing up and then bursting – causing damage to your home and possessions.

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Know where your stop taps and valves are located – you may need to turn them off quickly if there is a burst. The main stop tap is often found under the kitchen sink. We have installed SureStop valves to assist turning off the mains cold water. If you have one fitted these are generally a blue switch found above the work surface in your kitchen.

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Turn off stop taps in outside toilets and wash rooms and protect exposed pipework.

Visit www.rykneldhomes.org.uk and look up our Keep Warm, Keep Well this Winter section. Copies are also available in our Area Housing Offices.

In the event of very heavy snow we may only be able to operate a limited emergency repairs service.

We will update our website, www.rykneldhomes.org.uk and Twitter@Rykneld_Homes on a daily basis with details of the service we can offer.

In very cold weather we may have to deal with a high number of emergency repairs, many due to frozen or burst pipes. Some of these could have been avoided with just a few, simple precautions such as lagging any pipework in cold areas like outside taps or outside toilets.

Here are just a few other precautions you could take:

Insurance Please be aware Rykneld Homes is not responsible for damage to your household goods – such as furniture and carpets - caused by a burst pipe.

Please make sure you have an insurance policy in place to cover such an incident. Rykneld Homes can help arrange contents insurance cover that can be paid weekly alongside your rent – please contact us for details.

YOUR RYKNELD JANUARY 2017 7

WORKING WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Working with your community

New age kurling at Dronfield Sports Centre

New age kurling! eople from all over North East Derbyshire came together in Dronfield to take part in a special sports tournament.

'New age kurling' is just like the winter Olympic sport of curling, but without the ice and can be played by people of all abilities on practically any indoor floor surface.

Rykneld has been working with several social clubs in the district to encourage them to take up the sport and build a team. Kurling is a great way for people to meet up and socialise.

The tournament at Dronfield Sports Centre brought together 10 teams and was part of the extended 'Silver Sunday' celebrations which is an

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annual day of fun and free activities for older people across the UK. Led by The Sir Simon Milton Foundation, it celebrates the value and knowledge that the older generation contribute to our communities while combating loneliness and isolation.

Jude Milburn, Community Involvement Officer at Rykneld Homes, said: "Sports like kurling have helped us to tackle social isolation, which is a national problem. We've established four new social clubs on the back of the sport in the past 12 months and hope to continue to spread the word and get more people involved!"

Get cooking! ustomers in Renishaw enjoyed tasty cookery classes thanks to our Community Involvement Team.

It has been working with villagers over the past few months delivering Healthy Eating workshops at the Methodist Church with participants ranging from 3 to 80 years!

Customers learnt how to cook exciting healthy alternatives to their traditional meals and sat to eat together. The sessions were completely free and open to everyone, with ingredients and teaching provided by us. Community Involvement planned six sessions including an Indian cooking demonstration from a Rykneld member of staff Participants attending all six classes could choose a cooking related reward; some of the choices were a slow cooker, a set of pans and a steamer.

Due to the success of the sessions and enthusiasm of the group, Rykneld will continue to deliver a session on the first Monday of every month.

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One of the participants said: “Since starting the classes I have been out and bought more fresh food and encouraged healthy eating to my kids.

These sessions have really helped me with meeting new people and doing something I really love to do and given me a boost when cooking for my kids at home.”

If you would like to get involved please contact the Community Involvement Team on 01246 217670.

Diamond celebrations year of hard work was rewarded for seven of our young Community Improvers who have received their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Our Community Involvement Team (CIT) has been working with them over the past year to help them achieve their goal. They have now completed their award and were invited to Derbyshire County Council Offices in Matlock to receive it.

Heather Summers, Head of Neighbourhoods at Rykneld Homes, said: “Helping young people to challenge themselves, learn new skills and gain positive life experiences is a key commitment for us.

“Through our Community Involvement Team we have been able to support seven Community Improvers to gain their Bronze award and we are very proud of that success.”

We are currently recruiting new members to join the group and will be offering the DofE award to them if they want to take up the opportunities.

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Our Community Involvement Team was proud to be invited to a special service at Westminster Abbey in November to mark 60 years since HRH The Duke of Edinburgh founded The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).

The Diamond service, attended by Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, was a celebration of the dedication and commitment shown by all involved in the DofE.

Community Improvers receive their Duke of Edinburgh Awards YOUR RYKNELD JANUARY 2017 9

Stars in their eyes!

Victoria Wood, Sean Bean, Norman Wisdom just a few of the people John Howe has met in his role as a TV extra. Together with his wife Yvonne, the pair from Holmesfield has appeared in television shows over the past 16 years – you might even recognise their faces! Your Rykneld dropped in to meet the couple who have been council tenants for the past 20 years.

John and Yvonne Howe at their home in Holmesfield 10 YOUR RYKNELD JANUARY 2017

STARS IN THEIR EYES

In 2008 I worked on a programme called ‘Wuthering Heights’ starring Sarah Lancashire where I played the local alehouse landlord. I also played a newspaper reporter in a film called ‘Damned United’ which starred Michael Sheen as Brian Clough.

I used to work for the Mercury Entertainments paper as the Rhyme Master. As part of my work for the paper I met Sean Bean at the opening of the Sheffield United Academy.

John was an extra in Victoria Wood's drama Housewife 49 How did you get into acting/extra work?

John - In 2001, I used to chauffeur my old friend and radio presenter, Tony Capstick, to the set of Last of the Summer Wine. After about three months of doing this one of the crew asked if I fancied getting into extra work. I hadn’t really thought about it before but was given the details of an agency. I filled in the application form and one day received a call asking if I was available for a job as an extra in the series ‘Cutting It’ starring Amanda Holden and Sarah Parish.

It went on from there really. Yvonne would come with me when they wanted couples.

What was your favourite role?

John - My favourite role was in ‘The Birth of a Legend’ in 2004. I was part of Hogg’s Gang. The show was originally going to be called ‘Building the Titanic’ and was set in 1911/12 We filmed at Forgemasters in Sheffield where they had an old traction engine in the yard that looked really good.

Who is your favourite celebrity that you have met/worked with?

John - While I was working on Last of the Summer Wine, I met Norman Wisdom. One day while I was on the set he came in and pretended to trip up and kept tricking everyone on set. He was very funny and an absolutely brilliant guy.

What was your dream acting job?

John - Last of the Summer Wine would have been my ideal acting job as it was really big at the time. I knew the cast and crew quite well and they were all brilliant.

What are you working on at the moment?

John – I am currently working on a few projects. I am writing my biography which is about being born on the Arbourthorne estate in Sheffield. I am also writing a script about life as a DJ. It is the first script I have ever written.

We’ve had some really good times. We were lucky enough to meet Kay Mellor who did a talk at our agency’s Christmas party one year. She is one of the nicest writers I have ever met.

What was the most unusual/interesting role you have done or been offered?

John - The most unusual role I had was a homeless person in Blue Murder with Caroline Quentin. I had to grow a beard and grow my hair long.

Yvonne - When you are there on set, it is so hard to see how everything will come together but it is so interesting to watch.

John – My first speaking role was in ‘The Chase’ which was a programme based around a veterinary surgery. It starred Gaynor Faye and Keith Barron. I played a farmer, Mr Peters in April 2006. I still remember my line – “Mr Peters, I’ve come for my dog.”

In June 2006, I got an extra role in ‘Housewife 49’ starring Victoria Wood. I played the boss of the factory.

John with his acting hero Norman Wisdom on the set of Last of the Summer Wine

YOUR RYKNELD JANUARY 2017 11

NEWSBRIEF

Helping people into work and training This year we were delighted to work with several local schools to offer a total of 30 work placements to Y12 pupils.

This is the highest number of placements we have ever been able to offer, with pupils gaining experience across the organisation from repairs to administration.

We have worked with a local primary school to support their curriculum work on materials and attended Careers Fairs and World of Work Days to promote housing as a career and help young people gain valuable job interview experience.

Apprenticeships Find out more about apprenticeships available in North East Derbyshire at a special event to be held in March.

North East Derbyshire District Council is holding its Annual Apprenticeship Marketplace which is taking place on 15 March from 1.00pm to 5.30pm at the District Council Offices, 2013 Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield.

Employers including Kier, Paperclip Admin, Skills for Careers and IKO will be present to discuss apprenticeship vacancies. Residents can also find out more about higher level and degree level apprenticeships from universities and colleges that will also be attending the event.

For more information, please contact Jane Weston, Employment and Skills Officer at North East Derbyshire District Council – jane.weston@ne-derbyshire.gov.uk or 07866 681601.

Misted windows We are aware that some double-glazed window units are becoming misted. Units can fail for a variety of reasons and some will have failed as a result of their age.

This does not affect their ability to keep your house warm – the window will still continue to offer good thermal insulation.

To help eradicate the misting we have recently developed a planned repairs programme to treat the units, in conjunction with a company called Crystal Clear Window Works.

Most windows can be treated and our recent trial showed a success rate of over 90%. Occasionally units will require a second treatment before they are fully repaired.

Once the treatment has been applied there is a ‘drying time’ of around six weeks, during this period the unit will take time to clear. Where units cannot be treated they will be replaced.

We are currently experiencing a high level of demand for this new planned repairs service so please bear with us whilst we work through our programme.

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Shortlisted for Awards We are very proud to have been made finalists in two awards schemes, which celebrate the best in housing and business.

Rykneld Homes has been shortlisted in the national 2017 Housing Innovation Awards in the categories Best Housing Provider and Best Community Engagement project for our Community Involvement programme.

We have also been shortlisted in the 2017 Building Communities in the East Midlands Awards in five categories: Team of the Year – for our Customer Services; Project of the Year and Sustainability and Renewable Technologies for our work to regenerate housing; Training for the work of our HR Team and Apprentice of the Year – 16-24 years.

WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT US

What you said about us Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on the services we provide. Your comments help shape our future service delivery. We have included here some of your comments from the past few months.

Help and support The work of our Community Involvement Team was praised by Parkside Community School after we supported a recent World of Work Day at Chesterfield College.

“Events like this could not take place without the help and support of local employers and businesses. On behalf of staff and students I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude once again.”

To the rescue A customer in Clay Cross was full of praise for our Responsive Repairs Service when her 88-year-old husband became locked in a room and was very distressed. “I rang Rykneld and within an hour a workman came, he climbed through a window and was able to sort the problem out. I am most grateful. Thank you.”

High quality The helpfulness of our Choice Move team received praise from a customer in Unstone. “The home visit was brilliant, all the information given was of a high quality. The officer doing the visit was knowledgeable, friendly and willing to help.”

Wonderful ambassadors The work of our Housing Support staff received fantastic praise from a customer in Grassmoor. “They are a credit to Rykneld Homes. They have helped me so much I don’t know what I would have done without them. They kept me informed all

the time and are wonderful ambassadors for Rykneld. They are all truly committed and polite people.”

Great job A customer in Killamarsh was very pleased with the work of our Repairs staff. “I am 98-years-old and appreciate the way all of your workmen treat me. They’ve always done a great job and leave everywhere in a good, clean state. It is a pleasure to have them in my home.”

Could not ask for more The work of our Repairs staff and Contact Centre received praise from a customer in Marsh Lane who requested a repair . “The worker that came to do the repair was very nice and friendly and left everything as he found it. I must say overall from reporting the fault to it being repaired you could not ask for anymore than was done. The lady on the phone was very good too.”

Making life easier The work of our Housing Support team earned praise from a customer

in Dronfield who wrote to say: “Thank you for all your support moving into my bungalow. All of you have been so kind and helpful, making my life so much easier.

Once again a big thank you.”

Credit to the company A customer in Littlemoor congratulated a Repair operative on their work. “The workman was very polite, very professional and very knowledgeable. He gave a good, old-fashioned service and is a credit to your company.”

Nothing too much trouble A customer in Temple Normanton rang our Contact Centre to praise the work of our Choice Move team in helping him to find a Rykneld home . “I email and telephone the Choice Move team on a regular basis to see how far I have come for a property. They always go that extra mile to help and nothing is too much trouble. They understand my situation and everyone who answers the phone is very kind and considerate. Thank you.”

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Estate Walkabouts We have included in this issue our estate walkabout dates for January and February.

For further information about any of the dates please contact your Housing Support Officer on 01246 217670 or visit our website at www.rykneldhomes.org.uk.

Apperknowle Friday 10 February at 3:00pm Meeting at top of New Road Arkwright Tuesday 17 January at 10am Meeting at the Arkwright Centre Ashover Thursday 19 January at 10am Meeting on the corner of Malthouse Lane Barlow Thursday 26 January at 2pm Meeting at Springfield/Valley Road junction Brackenfield Tuesday 17 January at 10:40am Meeting at School/Carr Lane junction Calow Thursday 23 February at 10:30am Meeting at Central Drive car park Clay Cross Angel Estate Tuesday 7 February at 10am - Meeting outside 1 Queen Street Clay Lane Tuesday 7 February at 10:45am - Meeting at entrance to Appian Way Florence Rd Area Thursday 2 February at 10am - Meeting at High Hazel Court car park Central Area Tuesday 31 January at 11am - Meeting at Park Row car park Coal Aston Thursday 12 January at 10:30am Meeting outside Rawlins Court Cutthorpe Friday 24 February at 3pm - Meeting to the front of 2 Riggotts Way

Danesmoor Penncroft Lane/Drive Area Thursday 12 January at 11am - Meeting at junction of Flaxpiece Road and Penncroft Lane Bevan Road/Pine View/The Square Area Thursday 19 January at 11am Meeting at Bevan/Cemetery Road junction Dronfield Central Tuesday 17 January at 3pm Meeting outside Manor Bungalows Fletcher Avenue Tuesday 17 January at 2pm - Meeting on the corner of Gledhill Close/School Lane Hartington Friday 13 January at 10:30am - Meeting on the corner of Hartington Rd/Fanshaw Rd Snapehill Monday 6 February at 10am Meeting at the bottom garage site on Marsh Avenue Stonelow Friday 13 January at 11am Meeting outside Block 1 Stonelow Green, Stonelow Rd

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Dronfield Woodhouse Thursday 16 February at 11:00am Meeting at the Communal Room, Moray Place Duckmanton Tuesday 17 January at 11am Meeting at top of Robertson Avenue Eckington Central Thursday 9 February at 10:30am - Meeting at Eckington Swimming Pool Woodview/Pitt St Thursday 12 January at 10:30am - Meeting outside Eckington Friendship Hall, Berry Avenue Castle Hill Thursday 16 February at 10:30am - Meeting at Castle Hill/Castle Hill Close junction Birkhill/Fanshaw Estates Thursday 19 January at 10:30am - Meeting on road outside Birkhill School, Chestnut Ave Gosforth Valley Thursday 12 January at 11:30am Meeting at the parking area adjacent to 1 Sheards Drive

ESTATE WALKABOUTS

Grassmoor Broom Drive/Southend Area Thursday 12 January at 1:30pm - Meeting at junction of Broom Drive/Mill Lane Chapman Lane/New St Area Shakespeare/Tennyson Way Area Wednesday 11 January at 10am Meeting outside Community Centre, New Street

Sheepcote Estate Thursday 19 January at 1:30pm - Meeting at 14 Sheepcote Road Norwood & Rotherwood Wednesday 8 February at 1:30pm - Meeting on Cross Street Westthorpe & Manor Thursday 9 February at 1:30pm - Meeting at 4 Manor Road

Heath Thursday 12 January at 11:00am Meeting at Heath Rd/Heather Ave junction

Littlemoor Thursday 19 January at 11:15am Meeting at Alton Lane

Hepthorne Lane Thursday 26 January at 11am Meeting at top of Hambleton Avenue

Marsh Lane Wednesday 1 February at 2:00pm Meeting at Bramley Road/Ridge Road junction

Holmesfield Monday 16 January at 2pm - Meeting at corner of Woodside Ave/Woodside View junction

Mickley Wednesday 22 February at 10:00am Meeting on Priestley Avenue/Mickley Lane Junction

Holmewood Area 1 (Central St, Chesterfield Rd, Lawrence Ave, Masefield Ave, Mornington Rd, Searston Ave, Shakespeare St, Shaw St, Shelley St, Springfield Rd, Tennyson St, Tibshelf Rd) Wednesday 25 January at 10:00am Meeting at Heath Road/Searston Avenue junction Area 2 (Cavendish Cl, Compton St, Devonshire Terrace, Dukes Cl, Hardwick Cl, Heath Rd, Hunloke Rd, Queens Walk, Queensway, St Albans Cl, Wood St) Thursday 26 January at 10:00am - Meeting Queensway/St Albans Junction

Morton Maltby Ave Area Thursday 9 February at 10:30am - Meeting on Maltby Ave Evershill Lane Area Thursday 9 February at 11:00am - Meeting on Evershill Lane

Holmgate Friday 17 February at 2pm - Meeting at Holmgate Community Centre Car Park Holymoorside Wednesday 11 January at 1pm Meeting at Heather Way car park Kelstedge Thursday 19 January at 10:45am Meeting at Causeway House Killamarsh Central Tuesday 17 January at 1:30pm Meeting at Killamarsh Area Housing Office

North Wingfield Williamthorpe Rd/Dark Ln Wednesday 25 January at 11am - Meeting at parking area near Scout hut on Holbrook Ave Whiteleas Ave/Ashford Ave Wednesday 18 January at 11am Meeting at North Wingfield Resource Centre car park Alma Rd/Lings Cres Wednesday 11 January at 11am - Meeting at North Wingfield Resource Centre car park Pilsley Wednesday 15 February at 10:00am Meeting at the Hallgate Ln/Broom Ave junction Renishaw Wednesday 1 February at 1:30pm Meeting at Hague Ln/Carrwood Rd junction

Shirland Byron St Area Wednesday 15 February at 10am - Meeting at Byron St/Hallfieldgate Lane junction School Close Area Wednesday 15 February at 10:30am - Meeting on School Close St Leonards Place Area Wednesday 15 February at 11am - Meeting outside 49 St Leonards Place Stonebroom Tuesday 21 February at 10:30am Meeting at Birkinstyle Lane/Birkinstyle Ave junction Temple Normanton Friday 13 January at 10am - Meeting on Elm Street Tupton Queen Victoria Road Estate Monday 13 February at 10am - Meeting outside 119 Derby Road Davenport/Wingfield Road Tuesday 14 February at 1:30pm Unstone Friday 10 February at 2:00pm Meeting at Hardhurst Road Whittington Lane junction Wadshelf Wednesday 11 January at 2:30pm Meeting in the parking area on School Lane Wessington Tuesday 17 January at 10am - Meeting at Hill Crest Ave/Back Lane junction Wingerworth Adlington Estate Monday 16 January at 2:00pm - Meeting on Halcyon Approach Allendale Estate Monday 16 January at 2:45pm - Meeting outside the Allendale Flats Woolley Moor Tuesday 24 January at 10am - Meeting at Hawthorne Close

Ridgeway Friday 6 January at 10:30am - Meeting in Ridgeway Craft Centre Car Park

YOUR RYKNELD JANUARY 2017 15

Competitions Ryki Symbol

If you can solve our wordsearch or find the three Ryki characters hidden somewhere on the pages of this magazine you could win £25 in shopping vouchers! You can enter either one or both of our puzzles – the choice is yours!

Congratulations!

Well done to Rod Shaw from Dronfield who won £25 in shopping vouchers after winning our competition in the October issue of Your Rykneld.

Can you find our three little Rykis?...

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Winter

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Snowman

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Frost

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Sleet

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Robin

O

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Blizzard

B

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K

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Poinsettia

January

Please send competition entries to: Competitions, Communications, Rykneld Homes, Pioneer House, Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield S42 6NG or hand in your entry form into one of our Area Housing Offices.

Closing date for entries is Friday 24 February 2017.

Name

Address

Tel

Email

16 YOUR RYKNELD JANUARY 2017

WORKING WITH YOU

Calling all tenants and residents in Clay Cross, Danesmoor and North Wingfield

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Could you spare time to help us bring communities together in our area?

Danesmoor Tenant and Residents Association recently opened its doors to tenants and residents of Clay Cross and North Wingfield and is now looking for more members.

We desperately need new people to join in the New Year or the group may have to fold. It will be a shame if the group is lost!

We are run by volunteers who get together to work to improve the local area.

of every month starting at 7.00pm.

Our goals are: n

To help bring communities together by organising events n To support local charities n To meet with local Parish and District Councillors to discuss any problems and new developments in the area n To help resolve any tenant or housing problems – such as estate maintenance or antisocial behaviour issues.

We hold monthly meeting at The Community of Christ Church on Thanet Street on the first Wednesday

The next meeting will be held on the FIRST WEDNESDAY in February.

The meetings are usually attended by a Housing Support Manager from Rykneld Homes, both Parish Councillors and District Councillors, other Housing Officers and the Police.

The group is non-political and is there to pass on views, ideas, problems, concerns and the priorities of tenants and residents in Danesmoor, Clay Cross and North Wingfield.

A big thank you!

e wanted to say a very big thank you to all our customers who get involved with the work of Rykneld Homes. Members of our involved customer groups were treated to a lovely Christmas meal as our way of giving something back for the time and effort they give to us.

W

Our involved groups look at everything from repairs and maintenance to how we manage our estates. If you would like to join one of our groups please contact our Community Involvement Team on 01246 217670, email get.involved@rykneldhomes.org.uk or visit our website at www.rykneldhomes.org.uk and check out our Get Involved section.

YOUR RYKNELD JANUARY 2017 17

HOW ARE WE DOING?

Charity fund-raising

ur staff are keen to raise money for charities that are close to so many people’s hearts.

Our chosen charity for this year is Ashgate Hospice, but over the past few months staff have also lent their support to other fundraising campaigns including: British Heart Foundation – we collected a mini mountain of clothing and goods donated by staff and their families.

Macmillan Cancer Care – staff in our Contact Centre baked lots of delicious cakes and goodies to raise money for the charity.

Thanks to the generosity of colleagues who bought them we raised £211.

Children in Need – our Contact Centre staff once again brought in lots of tempting goodies for sale to colleagues and helped us raise £254.

O

Ashgate Hospice – we held a staff Halloween Dress Down Day and cake bake and raised a fantastic £198 for the hospice. We also supported national Hospice Care Week and raised a further £93 for Ashgate.

18 YOUR RYKNELD JANUARY 2017

USEFUL CONTACTS Choice Move Tel: 01246 217670 Email: choicemove@ rykneldhomes.org.uk Rykneld Homes, Pioneer House, Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield S42 6NG. For all services please call us on 01246 217670

North East Derbyshire District Council District Council Offices, 2013 Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield S42 6NG. Tel: 01246 231111 Or visit our website at: www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk

Contact Centre opening times: 8am-5pm

Council Tax and Housing Benefits Tel: 01246 217600

Elections and Electoral Registration

Housing Accounts/Rents

Housing Offices

Tenancy Support

For all Area Housing Offices at Eckington, Killamarsh, Clay Cross, Dronfield and North Wingfield telephone 01246 217670.

Tel: 01246 217670 Text: 07971 793 892 by writing to Community Sustainment, Pioneer House, Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield S42 6NG or via an Area Housing Office.

Tel: 01246 217670

For repairs contact 01246 217670.

Emergency housing repairs (including drainage). Only serious emergencies accepted out of hours.

Freephone 08000 121 621. Text repairs4u to 07800 002 425

Environmental Services Tel: 01246 217610 for abandoned vehicles, Burgundy Bin collection, Bulk Collections, Cleansing, Dog Wardens, Fly Tipping, Pest Control, Pollution Control (air, noise, odour), Recycling initiatives, refuse collection and street cleansing.

Food Safety and Hygiene

(Right to Buy and Leaseholders) Tel: 01246 217670 Email righttobuy@ rykneldhomes.org.uk Leaseholdmanagement@ rykneldhomes.org.uk

Or visit our website at: www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Or Text us at 07800 002 425

Repairs

Tel: 01246 217069, 217068

Home Ownership

Community Involvement Team Tel: 01246 217670 Email:get.involved@rykneldhomes.org.uk

Adaptations

Warden Services

Tel: 01246 217670 E-mail: adaptations.team@ rykneldhomes.org.uk

Tel: 01246 217670

Other Services

North East Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau Tel: 0300 456 8437

Tel: 01246 217238, 217239

Homelessness Tel: 01246 231111. For emergency out of hours call Derbyshire out of hours duty team 01629 532600. During normal office hours if anyone is in need of emergency housing they should contact 01246 231111. After 5pm the emergency out of hours service kicks in and this is run by Call Derbyshire (managed by Derbyshire County Council).

The emergency out of hours number is 01629 532600.

Derbyshire Constabulary For non-emergencies phone 101 www.derbyshire.police.uk

Derbyshire County Council Tel: 08456 058 058 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am - 4pm Saturdays.

Email: contact.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk Text: 86555 Fax: 01629 585995 Minicom: 01629 585400 By writing to: Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock DE4 3AG.

Derbyshire Law Centre Freephone 0800 7076990 01246 550674 Chesterfield Jobcentre Plus Tel: 01246 343100

Community News Do you have any community events you would like to promote? We can help you spread the word through the pages of Your Rykneld, on our website or through our Twitter site.

All you need to do is get in touch with our Communications Team by sending them an email marked for their attention to contactus@rykneldhomes.org.uk

You will need to include:

of life. The groups are run by volunteers and arrange talks on local patient services and advice from health care professionals.

Membership is free.

n

The date and time of your community event n The location n Brief details of the event n A contact person n Contact details – phone number or email address where we can contact you.

Breathe Easy Support Group A support group to help people with breathing difficulties lead a better quality

Clay Cross Breathe Easy Hardwick North. Meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 1.30pm – 3.30pm at Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, S45 9BU. For information contact Godfrey Kerry 01246 8653890 or email: godfrey.kerry@talktalk.net

YOUR RYKNELD JANUARY 2017 19

Do you have a comment, compliment or complaint about any of the services we provide?

Do you have a question you would like answered about our services?

Do you have any suggestions for future articles in Your Rykneld?

If so, we would like to hear from you. We can include your questions or suggestions in future editions of the magazine. Please complete the cut off slip and either: n

post it to Communications, Rykneld Homes, Pioneer House, Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield S42 6NG n hand it in at one of our Area Housing Offices n fill in an on-line form which can be found on our website at www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Name Address

Give us your best shot!

Why not enter our photo competition?

As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations this year, we want to find some of the best images of North East Derbyshire.

We’re looking for pictures that capture the lovely countryside in our district, or character of our towns, villages and estates.

The winner will receive £50 in shopping vouchers and their photograph, together with the runners-up, will be featured in a future edition of Your Rykneld and on our website.

Happy snapping!

How to enter n

Email Phone Comment

20 YOUR RYKNELD JANUARY 2017

The competition is open to Rykneld tenants only.

The photograph must be taken in the North East Derbyshire District. n The photograph must be digital and around 1MB in size. It should be emailed to our address. contactus@rykneldhomes.org.uk and marked Photo Competition. We cannot accept postal entries. n The email should contain details of your name, address, telephone number, the date and location of the photograph. n The closing date is 30 April 2017. n The photograph must not have been published elsewhere, or won a prize. It must be the work of the person submitting the entry. n We may use the photograph both digitally and in any promotional material produced by Rykneld Homes. n