Grangetown and Ashbrooke

Grangetown and Ashbrooke - Down Your Way

The very well attended November meeting of the Thornholme Residents' Association took place last week at Ashbrooke Sports Club with Paul Baker in the chair. Also present were Millfield ward Councillors Niall Hodson and Iain Kay, St Michael's Councillors Robert Oliver and Peter Wood; city council housing officer Alan Caddick and a representative of the Northumbria Police neighbourhood team. Representatives from the Witherslack Group, who will be opening a day school '“ to be called Ashbrooke School '“ for children aged between four and 18 with special educational needs on the former High School site in Ashbrooke Road, outlined its plans for the future.Â The school is expected to be open by Easter next year and will, eventually, cater for up to 80 pupils. Other issues discussed included parking and traffic problems; construction work at St Anthony's School; possible housing development near Tunstall Hills; a meeting with NEAS officials; the latest crime statistics for the area; feedback about the city council's budget and the new Wear bridge. The next meeting, and AGM, will be held at the same venue on Monday, December 19, at 6pm, with the added attraction of coffee and mince pies.

St John’s Church, Ashbrooke, will host a messy church after school tomorrow from 3.30pm to 5.30pm and the theme is Special Message. Contact Andrea on 07838136090 for any information

Guest speaker at the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Sunderland held in the Rosedene Hotel was Carol Rutherford, a founder and director of Autism in Mind. AIM was founded in Sunderland in 2000 and has been campaigning locally and nationally for a better understanding, awareness and acceptance of autism. Carol has been meeting Government Ministers and lobbying for change since 2002. She is a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Autism and has advised the Department of Health while they were writing their autism strategy for adults. In Sunderland, AIM provides day care facilities for adults with high functioning autism as well as campaigning for a local Autism Partnership Board to be established

St John’s Church, Ashbrooke, will be holding its autumn fair this Saturday from 11am. There will be a variety of stalls, including china, plants, home-baking, Christmas gifts and refreshments will be available. Santa will also be visiting. Entrance is 50p for adults, with children free.

Northumbria Police held its latest PACT meeting for St Michael’s Ward Residents at Auckland Homes, Hill View Road, which was attended by Councillors Michael Dixon and Peter Wood. Various issues were discussed including the local crime statistics, which were encouraging. The next meeting will be held at the same venue in the new year – see this column for details.