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PETRA News

PETRA works to create avibrant, caring community,and we do this, in part, byorganising social events andactivities.

Just in the last few years, we haveorganised trips to the ChristmasPanto, Rochester Market, StubbersActivities centre, Barleylands Farm,Hever Castle and Clacton Air Show.

Closer to home, we have put on fundays, pamper evenings, baking andjam-making sessions, Easter egghunts, coffee mornings and arts andcrafts for the under 8s.

All this (and more) thanks to thehard work and enthusiasm ofresidents and staff working together.

The current (A)ctivities Team -Lesley, Sheila, Lauren, Tess andAmber - are keen to continue thisfine record. But they can only do soif their fellow residents are interest-ed and willing to join in.

‘We particularly want to hear fromparents and children,’ says Lesley.

‘The summer holidays will be heresoon, so you need you to tell us nowwhat activities and trips you wouldlike us to organise.’

Number 155, April 2017

Parkhill Estate Tenants &Residents Association

• Where would you and your kidslike to go for a day trip?• What activities would you like usto organise especially for youngerchildren?

‘A’ Teamwants tohear from YOU

Isn’t it looking splendid? The care taken - by Brad, Jim and Mick among others - to make this a fitting tribute to Colin says much for the fond memories we all have of the man.

We will unveil a commemorative plaque for Colin on Friday 30 June at 3pm followed by drinks and nibbles in the office. All welcome.

• Would teenagers like PETRA tohelp them organise an event or ac-tivity over the summer break?

“Let’s get planning!”

Lesley says, ’We can’t promise todo everything asked of us, but weare keen to hear your ideas. Pop intothe office today and let’s getplanning!’

PETRA’s VISIONA safe, pleasant neighbourhoodwhere people want to be part of a

vibrant, caring community

“Please tell us now whatactivities and trips you would

like us to organise”

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Our Vision is to create ‘A safe,pleasant neighbourhood wherepeople want to be part of avibrant, caring community.’

The work we put in means that wereceive some really lovelycomments on the way we manageour estate and how it always looksso neat and tidy. Indeed, manypeople are surprised when they hearthat this is a council estate.

So what has made the difference?The answer is that we have workedvery hard over the past 14 years toachieve and maintain a highstandard. This is very much down toour staff, their tidying up andgrounds maintenance.

However, we all have to play ourpart in making this an estate to beproud of. And that means residentsand staff working together. Let’sstop dropping litter in the lifts andon the grounds when there areplenty of bins around the estate.Let’s stop chucking rubbish fromcars in the parking area when a binis just a few yards away.

Every issue of the newsletter seemsto include examples of this kind ofanti-social behaviour, so we decidedto devote a whole page to it thistime. Wouldn’t it be lovely if thiswas the last time we had to devotespace to it!

Regards,Jan Davis

Viewpoint

Also, do not throw cat litterstraight down the chutes.Like all other waste products,this should be baggedproperly before disposal.

And again, if you thought thatwas bad… Some people eventhink it’s ok to throwunbagged used nappies downthe chute! It is not! Thesenappies unravel, smearingthe sides of the chute withthe most disgusting, stinking,unhygienic waste imaginable.

Please help to keep our estatelooking smart. Commonsense, and consideration forothers: that’s all it takes.

ChutesOur rubbish chutes aredesigned to handle rubbishno larger than 8 inchessquare. That’s why weprovide separate facilities forthe disposal of bulk items(the clue’s in the name).

Yet some people continue tomisuse the chutes, causingblockages - which areexpensive to clear - andworse.

If you are putting pizza boxesdown the chute, tear or foldthem up properly before-hand.

And if you think that’s bad,listen to this. Recently oneresident, too lazy to visit thebulk items bin, decidedto throw an umbrella downthe chute, handle first. Guesswhat happened? Anotherthrew a Christmas tree downthe chute, top first. Again,guess what happened!

Give us a break!Here in the PETRA office we prideourselves on being available to helpresidents, wherever possible andwhatever the problem. But even weneed a lunch break. So we havedecided to close the office every dayfrom 12 noon to 1 o'clock. We hoperesidents will understand and respectthis decision.

The Rubbish Page!

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Tumble dryersThere have been a spate of tumbledryer-related fires in the newsrecently, and safety notices have beenissued for 4-5 million Hotpoint, Creda,Indesit, Proline and Swan appliances.So we all need to be aware of what tolook out for and what precautions totake.

Safety First- Always register a new appliance withthe manufacturer.- If you're concerned about fitting anew tumble dryer yourself, ask aqualified electrician.

Safe Maintenance- Clean out lint and fluff from thefilter and around the door after everyuse.- Watch out for scorching or burnmarks, and check for loose or wornwires.- Have your dryer serviced annuallyby a qualified engineer.

Safe Use- Never overload – take large or bulkyitems to the dry-cleaners.- Always allow each drying

programme, including the ‘cool downcycle’, to complete fully.- Don’t stop the dryer before the end ofthe cycle unless all items are quicklyremoved and the door is left open todissipate heat.- Leave clothes contaminated withcombustible substances such assolvents, grease, oils or fats out oftumble dryers.- Don’t leave dryers, dishwashers andwashing machines on overnight. Ifpossible, unplug or switch offappliances at the socket overnight andwhen going out to avoid the risk of anelectrical fault causing a fire.

Tumble Dryer Safety NoticeIf you have a Hotpoint, Indesit, Swan,Proline or Creda tumble dryer manu-factured between April 2004 andSeptember 2015 visit one of thesewebsites to confirm and arrangea free visit from an engineer:• www.safety.indesit.eu• www.safety.hotpoint.eu• www.safety-swan.euCreda and Proline customers shouldvisit www.safety.hotpoint.euFreephone hotline at 0800 151 0905

Information taken fromelectricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

BudgetWe still await news regardingPETRA’s future funding.Havering Council has still nottold us the details, but we areexpecting a cut in ourallowance of up to 20%. We willalso shortly lose our funding forthe maintenance of the Serena,Sunrise and Solar court gardens,so our Committee have sometough financial decisions ahead.

WorksDespite this uncertainty, andthanks to careful budgeting, weplan to redecorate theEntrance lobbies shortly, andare also looking at options forrenewing the three mainentrance doors and the interiorsignage in each of the towerblocks. Suggestions for theseworks are always Welcome.

Parking

Can all residents be mindfulwhen parking, please.Overlapping the curb, such ashere, prevents Brad (pictured topof page) and Mick from cuttingthe grass as expertly as theywould like to.

Newsin brief

Ball gamesSeeing children once againplaying on the green is one of thepleasures of the spring season.

But hearing their footballsslamming against entrance doorsand parked cars, or close towindows, is not!

We don’t want to put ‘No BallGames Allowed’ signs up

everywhere - they are adepressing sight at the best oftimes. But we do expect childrento play responsibly, ie away fromdoors, cars and windows.

Will all parents please make suretheir children understand andrespect this simple rule.

Thank you.

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Emergency First Aid Training6th and 13th May, in the concierge.

PETRA recently organised and host-ed a highly successful first aidcourse. Emergency First Aid BasicTraining is a one day course run byTutor Care, and, as it proved sopopular, we have asked them backfor two more days’ training.

This training is open to all, butbooking is essential. Visit the officefor more details.

Committee meetingsApril 24thMay 22nd - Brought forward oneweek due to bank holidayJune 26thJuly 31st

PETRA’s regular Coffee morningThe first Wednesday of each month,11-1pm, in the Concierge.

CONTACTSJan Davis, ChairCaroline Edwards, Estate ManagerBradley Pavey, Repairs and GroundsMaintenance OfficerMicky Hughes, Repairs and GroundMaintenance OfficerNaomi Cooper, AccountsAdministrator

All based at the PETRA officeTel: 01708 475358Email: petratmo@aol.comwww.petratmo.weebly.com

Homes and Housing,Havering Council. Tel: 01708 434000Email: homes@havering.gov.ukWebsite: www.havering.gov.uk

Here’s a reminder of the rulesgoverning the keeping of pets onall council estates includingPETRA.

If you live in a flat with direct access toan individual garden you may keep upto two pets such as a dog or cat but youmust obtain our prior writtenpermission if you wish to keep a dog.Dogs are required by law to have anidentification ‘chip’ inserted.

If you live in a flat or your home is ina building where there is a wardenservice and/or shared access areas youare allowed to keep one pet.

You are allowed to keep fish or smallcaged animals in any property.

You are not allowed to keep reptiles(including lizards or snakes) requiringlive food, farm animals (including

ferrets, hens, chickens, cockerels,ducks, geese, horses, pigs, cows andgoats), pigeons or dogs as definedunder the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 orany endangered species.

You and anyone living with you oryour visitors must not allow your petsto frighten or cause a nuisance toanybody.

This includes: - Letting your dog bark loudly andcontinuously, particularly late at night - Failing to clean up after your pet bothinside and outside the property - Failing to keep your pet under control - Not keeping dogs on a lead - You must keep any pet in proper andhumane conditions. - You must not leave any dog alone formore than six hours, either inside oroutside your home.

Please abide by these simple rules, andif you have any questions about them,or concerns for an animal’s welfarehere on the estate, please visit thePETRA office for a confidential chat.

Pamper EveningThursday 11 May, 6pmLadies, following the successful recent session,we have asked Revive Treatment’s Ravinder Kaur(pictured here with some of our ladies) back foranother Pamper Evening.

Book early to avoid disappointment. Ravinder isalso available for private treatments.Tel 07866272734 or email ravinder_5@hotmail.com

Every month we give awaythree gift vouchers worth £25each to residents who go on-

line and spot their doornumber on our home page.Play Letterbox Lotto today!www.Petratmo.weebly.com