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The newsletter of Drews Park Village ssociation spring 2016 Issue 35
APRIL SHOWERS
DEAR RESIDENTS of DREWS PARK
Well here we are in early spring with
daffodils and snowdrops around us and
it’s time to give you an update on some
items since our last issue in the autumn.
We are still in constant contact with
Aster Communities to try and progress
outstanding items and the Committee
met them at their offices in November
and recently again in March. Some
items mentioned in the last issue in
maintenance work such as subsidence in
Thomas Wyatt Road, repairs to paths,
gutter cleaning, some lighting repairs,
have been carried out. However
improvements to signage and the TV
system, subsidence in lawn areas,
further repairs to paths, bin stores and roof down-pipes, and completion of
brushing to stone walls are still awaited. Following some complaints from
residents on the quality of lawn maintenance last year we attended a meeting at
Aster to discuss the tenders and a new contract is in the course of being
agreed subject to completion of the formal Consultation, with a specification
that we submitted.
We continue to liaise with Aster on items of interest to all owners related to
service charges and audits, repair expenditure and building insurance and are
currently monitoring progress with the external painting work to be carried out
later this year. Most importantly we have been in discussion with them on a
condition survey recently carried out to determine the appropriate level of our
sinking fund contributions, and Aster will be sharing the results of this survey
with us at a public meeting to be held in late April.
DPVA also continues to represent the residents of Drews Park with the
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust who own the old cricket pitch and orchard; I met them
with Drews Pond Wood Project in early March to hear their plans for these
areas. We are also discussing parking issues with them and Aster arising from
Cont’d
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increased future use due to work to the orchard and completion of the new
housing at Drews Meadow later this year.
As a voluntary organisation we exist solely to represent our members in
protecting the unique heritage of Drews Park. You should have received a letter
from Robin Mitchell about this earlier this year, and
to complement that please also read the piece on page 9. Finally, as always, many
thanks to Lisa Penington for
all her hard work as editor of
Drews News.
Best regards
Peter Benns
Chair DPVA
GRASS CUTTING CONTRACT
You will have received a Section 20 Consultation letter in December. The
Association made some suggestions for contractors and possibly some other
owners may have done so too. Aster took note of the Association’s specification
– regarding the number of cuts, the ‘striped’ effect we prefer, the use of small
hand mowers on grass near to houses etc., and results have been circulated to
you.
Aster and the DPVA have interviewed one of the companies formerly unknown to
us and in the near future the Consultation will be completed by Aster and you
will see the tenders under consideration.
It is always a step into the unknown when we take on a new contractor for our
lovely gardens but we hope the company selected will be keen to work to our
requirements.
* * * * *
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HOW MUCH IS MY HOUSE WORTH?
Simon Evans deliberates on Drews Park house values…
Anyone who owns their own property always has this question somewhere at the
back of their mind. Very often it is associated with another
question: has it kept its value? By that we often mean that if
we sell our present place and move on, will we be able to buy
the same sort of place or better.
Ideally we want the value of our house to rise and everyone else’s to stay the
same. This has happened to Londoners in recent years, as prices in the capital
have accelerated at a rate unseen elsewhere in the country. Half the people
buying property in Wiltshire now come from outside the county, and many of
those outsiders are Londoners. To them houses that to us seem expensive look
very cheap.
Houses in Drews Park are lovely properties, why aren’t they worth more? Houses
are, of course, worth exactly what people are prepared to pay for them. Drews
Park presents drawbacks for some people; these restrict the number of
potential buyers, and the price they are willing to pay.
The first drawback is that the properties are leasehold, even though 999 years
is virtually a Freehold. Many potential buyers see the word ‘leasehold’ and
promptly look elsewhere. Other drawbacks are that ground rent and service
charges are payable, there are no private gardens and there are strict rules
about pets. These all inhibit some buyers, although they may encourage others.
How can I find out what my house is worth? There are several websites
offering this sort of service. The easiest to use is Zoopla, but it tends to
overestimate values, so treat its numbers with caution. Recently Zoopla showed
the least expensive house at Drews Park as worth £124,000 and the highest
£475,000. The average value was £175,000 and the median £168,000.
Will things get better? The increasing development of Devizes will make Drews
Park look more attractive. It is a spacious and elegant building with acres of
lawns, and little possibility of additional development nearby. It has more
accessible public open space near it than almost anywhere else in Devizes. The
future for your house price may be rosier than you think.
4
RECYCLING – AGAIN
We frequently see old mattresses put out to the bin stores. These are NOT
collected by the vans who only collect household rubbish and
certain articles of recycling –
limited to glass, tins, paper and plastic/cardboard. Take
them to Hopton Court!
TVs and old fridges should also be taken to Hopton Court recycling Centre, Devizes. If you
leave them at the bin stores, Drews Park leaseholders (charge
payers) have to pay for them to be removed when it is YOUR
responsibility to dispose of them.
Washing machines and other electronics – most suppliers will take
your broken down one away at a moderate cost when buying a new
one. Otherwise they should be taken to Hopton Court. If you have no
transport the local Authority will remove large articles at a cost –
they will tell you the cost if you phone them. It may be economic to
get together with another resident to dispose of articles as
several articles can be removed by Wiltshire
County Council at a fixed cost.
But none of us has the right to incur cost for other residents by leaving things by the
bin stores that will NOT be taken away by the Council. Last year owners paid over
£1,000 for removal of articles that didn’t belong to them!
* * * * *
5
SCORE FIFTY TO WIN
Dick Powney has discovered a good game...
Some of us may have found the ideal game for Drews Park! It suits all ages from
six years upwards, is ideal for our lawns and paths, will not damage cars or
houses and does not involve ball throwing, hitting or kicking.
The game is called Mölkky, a Finnish skittle
game, popular nowadays from France to
Japan, and even has a World Championship.
It requires a simple set of twelve,
numbered, skittles (or "pins") a few inches
high. An extra throwing pin for knocking
over numbered pins is light and easy to toss
(always underhand). A pitch is about ten
paces (a small area of lawn, and a path edge
as a fixed throwing point). The numbered
pins are grouped together on the grass.
The basic aim is to score exactly fifty
points to win. Players score their points by
using the throwing pin to knock over as many pins as they can, scoring simply 2
for 2, 3 for 3 (completely knocked over) and so on. However, if only one is
knocked down, the thrower takes the score written on that pin.
This is a game of chance and cunning, since it requires EXACTLY FIFTY to win.
Any score exceeding that number is automatically reduced down to 25. Hence
there is always a fair chance for persons of no great strength or sports ability.
Mind you, three failures to knock over any pins at all results in elimination.
If you look up Mölkky on the Internet (YouTube), you will get plenty of simple
information. When we have our first sets we intend playing publicly. So come
and watch or even join in - it can be played by any number of people, from two to
twenty six.
6
EXTERNAL DECORATION TIME AGAIN!
2016 is the year the exterior of the Drews Park houses will be re-decorated…
The work is due to be carried out between May and September, all being well. At the time
of writing we believe the Consultation has not been completed so we are unable to confirm
who the contractors will be.
At the appropriate time you will be hearing from Kim Kettley, the manager at Aster who will
be in charge of the contract. The information we
have so far is that the works office, WCs etc., will
be placed on the lower Wyatt Court car park as
before, on visitors’ spaces nearest the road.
There were some problems last time when residents
were out, at work, on holiday – it happens! None of
us would like our doors and windows painted closed
so it is important that we all communicate with Mr
Kettley so that arrangements can be made. Perhaps you
can leave a key with a trusted neighbour, who can keep an
eye on your house while a door is drying – or maybe we can
arrange for some Saturday painting. If you have any
concerns you can contact either Aster or the DPVA and we
will try to sort things out.
A paint specialist visited Drews Park recently to try to
identify the reason for problems we had last time.
Apparently black paint, which is the paint stipulated by conservation for our doors, is the
worst colour for peeling off as it holds the warmth of the sun. But Conservation stipulated
black – so black it is!
As part of the contract the bin stores will be repainted and repaired where necessary and
gutters and downpipes will be checked.
You will appreciate how important it is to liaise with Aster so that the best result may be
obtained. This work will cost leaseholders many thousands of £££s, paid from the Sinking
Fund so we expect the best outcome for this large expenditure.
* * * * *
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PROFILE OF NEW RESIDENT AT DREWS PARK
Robin Mitchell and his wife Geneviève moved into Drews Park a couple of
years ago…
I left my home in Lancashire at sixteen to join the RAF. After a three year
engineering apprenticeship and three years at Cranwell I was commissioned into
the Supply Branch. Following sixteen years worldwide service I retired
in 1978 and joined British Aerospace in Saudi Arabia, designing and selling
storage and handling systems for the
Royal Saudi Air Force.
Although Saudi is a strict and sometime
brutal society, the British expat
community still manages to entertain itself
through music and ‘amdram’ and
I became part of that. I also made the
odd appearance on Saudi television – an
experience not to be missed! It was an
exciting, tiring and sometimes scary
existence.
We bought a house in France during this
period and settled there on our return to
Europe in 1997. We spent sixteen
enjoyable years developing the property,
then running it as a B&B and antique
business. Over the years I have maintained an interest in sport, particularly
cricket, in classic cars and in folk music and would love to hear from anyone in
Drews Park who may share similar interests.
Robin is a new committee member for Drews Park Residents’ Association and
has become involved in membership and communications – see page 9.
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CONTACT DETAILS FOR ASTER
Hannah Enderby – Senior Housing Officer (1st point of contact) 01380 735578
Leanna Weller returns in January and will be another contact point.
Beth Jerrard, Home Ownership Manager (2nd point of contact) 01380 829016
If all are unavailable - call 0333 400 8222 or Main Aster number 01380 726001
BOOK CLUB NEWS
If you would like to join us call Norma on 724950 or Lisa on 739588 to check availability.
Otherwise perhaps you will enjoy some of the books we are reading.
Apr Valley of Bones by Richard Powell
May Churchill by Boris Johnson
June Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
July. The city of falling Angels by John Berendt
August. A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson
Sept. By Grand Central Station by Elizabeth Smart
COMMUNICATIONS WITH RESIDENTS
Recently committee member Robin Mitchell circulated residents asking if they would supply
their email addresses, or phone numbers if they aren’t on line. Urgent messages could then be
sent to them from time to time – for example, when we know the gardeners will be working so
that you can remove any obstructions from the lawn outside your houses – which is your
responsibility. There was some response from new owners/tenants but not as many as we
hoped. We have most of the absent owners details but we feel people actually residing here
have a right to any information that might be helpful.
If you would like to be kept informed, you can simply go to the website www.drewspark.co.uk
where our Webmaster has posted a ‘Sign me Up’ notice as you log in. he will then pass on any
important news.
Notes of the latest Aster/DPVA meeting held on March 14th are now on the website
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WALKING AND DREAMING WITH TOM
Dick Powney has an imaginary ‘walk-around’ with Thomas Wyatt...
"You mean you would put a statue of me in Wyatt Court? That's kind", said Tom.
"And I like the idea of a statue of Dr Thurnham in his courtyard facing the
clock. Coade Stone is a nice idea too: it lasts for
centuries, like my buildings".
"But what about my other idea of a few Coade
Stone tazza planters?" I replied.
"Well, I reckon about ten in total, in inner grass
areas, mind you. They would create centres of
attention, rather than all those cars and black,
front doors. But then, I like anything
architectural, as you know. Still, you seem to
envisage exotic plants. Nobody here would like
those, surely!"
"In any case," he continued, "if you made all
your improvements with Coade Stone from
Wilton House they would cost an absolute
bomb; and always remember, as Bill Bryson said
long ago, Brits aren't really interested in
things architectural or aesthetic. So maybe if
you could win the lottery and then buy
everything yourself, and promise to set up a
maintenance and operation fund, a few people
might consider it....."
As usual, I shrugged in resignation, and walked
on with Tom, dreaming as I went.
* * * * *
10
NOTICE BOARD
Each Court has a representative. It’s not particularly onerous; just look out for
new residents and put a Welcome Pack through their door. Phone any
committee member to sign on!
(May also lead to 10% contents insurance reduction)
Peter Benns is our Neighbourhood Watch coordinator
COURT NO REPRESENTATIVE __ PHONE
Bowes 18 Peter Benns 739419
Burnham 6 Sue Chick 724774
Chapel Representative wanted for Chapel Clock Tower Representative required for Clock Tower
Cooke 4 Mathew Bevan 727370
Elliot 11 Edward Lockwood 730709
Speer 3 Simon Evans 730615
Thurnham (1-22) 17 Dick Powney 739153
Thurnham (23-41) 17 Dick Powney “ Wyatt 6 Lisa Penington 739588
FLAPPING ROOF FELT
Have you been kept awake some windy nights by a flapping noise outside?
We have heard that some residents have, but Aster is not going to come and
survey the whole site to deal with the problem. They will come to deal with
each house when requested. We have also asked that the decorators will
check for this problem when they are at high level doing the painting work this
summer. But if it is urgent, take a look at the contact details on page 9 and
give them a ring if you have a problem.
ASTER WEBSITE
Aster has told us that towards the end of April they hope to have an addition
to their website. This will be directed at leaseholders and you will be able to
register and get a password to protect your privacy. It is expected that you
will be able to check your service charge details, find out what works are due
to be done on the site and the likely dates – watch this space!
* * * * *
11
Theatre News Waiting for Godot
Friday 29th April – Saturday 7th May at
7pm By Samuel Beckett, Directed by Lewis
Cowen and Peter Wallis. Samuel Beckett’s
Waiting for Godot remains one of the greatest –
and most popular – plays of the 20th
century. The Wharf Theatre is proud to present
this production directed by two stalwarts of the
theatre, Lewis Cowen and Peter Wallis.
Stepping Out - The Musical. 3rd June – 11th June at 7.30pm
Book by Richard Harris, Lyrics by Mary Stewart-David, Music by Denis King
Based on the original play by Richard Harris, Directed by Kim Pearce.
ANNIE Jr - A Wharf Youth Theatre Production 13th July - 16th July at
7.30pm; Matinee Saturday 16th July at 2.30pm
Members Contact details
Peter Benns Chair 18 Bowes Court
739419 [email protected]
Simon Evans Vice-Chair 3 Speer Court
730615 [email protected]
Lisa Penington Secretary 6 Wyatt Court
739588 [email protected]
Norma Humphreys Treasurer 12 Wyatt Court
724950 [email protected]
Adrian Wood Member 12 Clock Tower
01308 897087 [email protected]
Dick Powney Member 17 Thurnham Court
739153 [email protected]
Nicky Wilson Member 11 Wyatt Court
07789 914456 [email protected] Robin Mitchell Member 9 Wyatt Court
699164 [email protected]
Co-opted members
Christine Fitzmaurice
[email protected] Member
Mathew Bevan Webmaster 4 Cooke Court
727370 [email protected]
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