Page 22 - link magazine

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE RESIDENTS OF TOOTHILL

Elsewhere in this magazine you will see a list of moans
and groans concerning Toothill and its immediate envir'o s.
It would be We to assume that the majority of Toothill
residents - if not all - would endorse at least one of
those complaints, relating, as they do, to the facilities
(or lack of them) that we all share.
The question is - how does a resident, whether tenant
or owner-.000upier, get his or her grievance raised in the
most effective way and with the right people in order to
stand most chance of having the grievance rectified?
The answer can be very difficult to determine because
of the very complex situation on Toothill which is within
the areas of North Wilts District Council and the Lydiard
Tregose Parish Council. However Thamesdown Borough
Council provides services such as refuse clearance on an
agency basis. Thamesdown council also has a presence on
the estate as a developer together with Mcleans, Wilcon
and other builders.
It seems fairly obvious, then, that it would be extremely
beneficial if there existed one organisation to which
residents could go for help and advice and which in turn
would actively represent the interests of the residents as
a whole. The question that then immediately springs to mind is what type of
organisation would best suit our requirements?
Probably the best known type of organisation are Tenants or Ratepayers Associa-
tions which primarily represent tenants (council or private) and owner-occupiers
respectively. A third type is the Community Association which represents both
types of resident and like the first two levies a subscription for membership.
More recently a fourth alternative has developed and is known as a Community
Council. This organisation represents residents in a particular area and accepts
affiliation from all local voluntary groups, charitable institutions etc. There
is no membership fee or subscription and all residents are automatically members.
Any funds required are raised by social activities.
A group of residents have been discussing the alternatives and the purpose of
this letter is to invite anyone who is interested (and lives on Toothill) to the
community hut next to the shop/post office on Monday 5th March at 7.30 pm.
The aim will be to form a steering committee which it is hoped will be able to
put a concrete proposal to a meeting of all residents in the very near future.
Further info. - Bob or Cathy, 5 Kirkstall Close. (Tel. 34695)

Floria Przybylowska June Cole
Stratford Close 4 Bodiam Drive

Dear ? Dear Sir,
Thank you for my free edition of Wondered if you would ask if there is anyone in
the Toothill Community Newspaper. Toothill who would start Ballet lessons at the
I enjoyed reading it very much and school. Also there are already a number of classes
think it an excellent idea for Toothill at the school in the evenings. Some of the evening
to have its own Rag. It certainly classes at the school are — painting, flower arrange-
covers everything from useful infor- ments and yoga. You can check times with the Head
mation to recipes, crosswords and the teacher at Toothill School. Also another interest
latest news from the surrounding area. going on is that the school has started a Parents
I always thought the name Toothill had Teachers and Friends Association. I am the
something to do with trains! now I secretary of this association and if this is O.K.
know better. I am sure your 'For Sale, I should like to write a little bit about our next
Wanted and Services' page will be a plans, or perhaps you would give us an interview
great success, especially at only lop of some kind.
an ad. I only received your copy of the Toothill ?..?
All success for the paper in the last evening and an very impressed. Could you
future. have a page for teenagers, also younger members.
Yours sincerely, Also you could probably start a children's Swop
Floria shop type column.
Hope you succeed in your venture. I shall be
a definite subscriber. June Cole