Leswin Area Residents Association is launched
On the 21st October 2009, a very well attended inaugural meeting took place in the Old Fire Station to set up (or re-launch) the Leswin Area Residents Association (LARA).
The idea for it began with a few locals talking to each other and asking if anyone knew about what was going on in Leswin Place. This led to a pavement conversation where it was suggested that a residents' association would create a stronger voice for the whole area to be heard - and get results.
Every door was leafleted and an amazing number of people came. Many local concerns were raised ranging from antisocial behaviour issues, traffic, cycle paths and the proposed building development. Cllr Louisa Thompson said it was the largest such meeting she'd been to in Stoke Newington. She responded instantly to some of the concerns raised, promising to feed back on others.
Building a Community
On the up side we talked about how the residents' association could be brilliant for getting to know your neighbours better and encouraging a positive sense of community. We could organise a local festival! Gardening club? Blog site? Meet the neighbours social? What about something for young people? Some are interested in cycling facilities others for publicising information on trades people and more.
Key Aims
The key aims of LARA are to foster a community spirit among the neighbours, to help make improvements to the area, to tackle planning issues and traffic problems.
While we have some current major issues such as the Leswin Place development and the use of our roads as ‘rat runs’, many other ideas to develop the community have already come forward.
LARA Geographically
LARA covers approximately Leswin, Bayston, Darville, Batley, Tyssen and Hollar Roads, Glading Terrace, Leswin Place and the houses on Brooke and Evering Roads that back on to the ‘square’.
Those residents who have been in the area for some time will remember that there was a residents association of the same name that did some excellent work some years ago. Working together we can be just as successful as they were.
