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Newsletter autumn 2007
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Autumn 2007 News Letter
Staff and board news
We are pleased to announce that Greenoak tenants, Denise Moll of Fleetwood Court, and Barbara Daoulas of Apollo Place, have been appointed to the Board.
Welcome also to new staff members. Anita Avery, 
and
Julie Russell (Jules) 
who recently joined our administration staff team.
Gold award
This summer Greenoak scooped a prestigious national housing award, in the face of stiff competition from over 100 rival entries. Announced at a special awards ceremony in Central London, we were presented with the Housing Corporation Gold Award 2007 for our work and innovation in providing residents with eco-friendly homes.
Award presentation with Denise Moll (centre) holding the trophy,
Sir Duncan Michael on right, and Peter Dixon, HC Chairman on left.
Greenoak’s innovative greenhomes developments are in Woking and Normandy, Guildford, with a third to start soon in Storrington, West Sussex.
These achieve overall CO2 emissions below UK Building Regulations requirements. Greenoak has also improved the energy efficiency of its older properties.
We take our responsibility to tackling climate change very seriously. One of our board members has acted as a sustainability champion since 2000. Residents play a key role in finding ways to save energy and water as well as improve recycling. Those in our recently built greenhomes also provide feedback, ensuring that future new homes are good for residents to live in.
News from schemes
Residents from our greenhomes have been helping with research into what works best and where we can improve our eco homes.
Interviews held in residents’ homes have revealed some very interesting information, and we are pleased to find that many are very aware of the importance of being environmentally friendly and what features in the houses help with that.
We are also working with residents to monitor their use of electricity in the home including household appliances and TVs, etc. This will help them to save money as well as to be eco friendly.
Electrisave monitors are being used first at the greenhomes, but we plan to acquire more to help other residents check on their electricity use. If you are interested in this, please contact us.
Spot prize
In each Newsletter we will include a photograph of houses or flats where residents have made a special effort.
Farm Close in Loxwood, West Sussex was built in 2005 with five houses and flats. It is a rural scheme so all residents have a local connection.
On a recent visit it looked very attractive and colourful with residents’ planting.
Farm Close, Loxwood
Gardening vouchers for £15 will be sent to each resident.
Fleetwood Court
Woking in Bloom Competition
In 2005 & 2006 residents of Fleetwood Court won First Prize for their Community Garden. This year they were awarded Second Prize. It appears that the Council changed the rules, so that it is no longer possible to win in the same category in consecutive years. Congratulations to the thirteen resident gardeners for making the garden so delightful yet again.
Eastbourne and Hastings Sheltered schemes
Holmebury House, Hastings
Both schemes have had replacement windows in the last year, and at Eastbourne, the residents also chose new part glazed front doors.
Ocklynge Road, Eastbourne
Greenoak sometimes act for the leaseholders at both these sheltered schemes to sell their one or two bed flats. If you know anyone who might be interested, please suggest they contact Anita Avery on 01483 747900 for details.
They are very popular, and usually sell very quickly.
Brodie Place, Eastbourne
The summer started with a special occasion when Mrs Maplesden celebrated her 101st birthday. She was presented with champagne and flowers when family and residents wished her a very happy birthday.
In June residents enjoyed a “Summer Cream Tea.” with home made scones and fresh strawberries. In August residents had an afternoon trip into the country and to the “Littleton Tea Rooms at foot of the South Downs.
A first “Bring & Buy” of fresh produce raised money for a new nest of table for the residents’ lounge. Residents sold home made jams/marmalades, scones and cakes.
Loxwood: The Retreat
Residents had their annual strawberry tea party in August. Joint organiser, Mrs Pearse, pictured below was one of the first residents to move into The Retreat in 1988.
Mrs Pearse busy with her needlepoint
Apollo and Scylla Place
Apollo resident, Peter Door has started a monthly newsletter for Apollo and Scylla residents so everyone knows what is
going on. Pauline, the Scheme Manager believes it will be a great success. Everyone will have the opportunity to have a say.
Garden Party
Apollo and Scylla residents are also having a meal in October with the proceeds from the garden party. There will be caterers to cook and serve the meal so everyone can enjoy themselves.
A new hair salon was opened at the summer fete in August. Generously paid for by a late resident, Eunice, residents are now able to have a cut and blow dry by a visiting hairdresser in a professionally fitted salon. Our maintenance Green Team, Derek, Richard and Ian, worked hard to get it ready for the opening by Eunice’s son.
Derek and Richard are first to try it out
Woking Dance at Y Centre
Woking YMCA have launched “Boppin”, a new dance school for children and young people based at the Ypod Centre.
Boppin is about having fun, enjoying dance and is suitable for all abilities. Boppin founder Chloe Bell started her first school in April 2005 and Woking teacher, Cathie Carday is an established West End dancer and has appeared in shows such as “Chicago”, “Fame”, “Rat Pack”, and “Fosse”.
Classes start on Saturday 8th September, so come along to the Ypod. www.boppin.co.uk
Age Concern
The Woking office is based at the Fire Station. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service has trained a number of volunteers to carry out fire risk checks in the homes of older people. This will allow Surrey Fire and Rescue to concentrate on the younger people in the Borough and aims to make all residents aware of fire safety.
Visits to residents of the Woking Sheltered schemes are being arranged by Scheme Managers.
Call charges
Do you know how much you are paying when you make calls?
Per minute:
From a BT land line
To all 0800 numbers – free
Starting 01, 02, 0845 – 3p peak, 1p off peak
0844 numbers 5p all times
0870 numbers 7p peak, 3.49 or 1.5p off peak
09 numbers, 10p minimum
From mobiles
Costs vary but calls to 084 and 087 numbers are not usually included in free minutes plans
Directory enquiries
Calling 118 118 is now free from a landline
From a mobile you can register at 118.com for free numbers calling 0800 1183733
Contributions wanted
Please give us items to publish in our news and activities sections in the newsletter and on the web site. All published contributions in the newsletter or web site receive a £15 shopping voucher. Remember you can send an entry in any time and if yours is used, you will be a winner.
Greenliving money saving tips
Fridge tips
Help your fridge save you money - and waste less energy - by trying these tips.
- Dust down the coils at the back of the fridge - dusty coils can waste up to 30% extra electricity.
- Defrost your fridge regularly.
- Let food cool down properly before putting it in the fridge.
- Keep the door closed – each minute the door is open takes 3 minutes to cool down again.
Oven tips
Try these tips to make your oven more energy efficient.
- Switch your oven off a few minutes before your food is ready - it will stay hot enough to finish cooking the food.
- Avoid opening the oven too often to check whether your dinner is ready - by allowing heat to escape, it will end up taking longer - and more energy - to cook.
Wine saver
If you have wine left, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it. Next time you are cooking a sauce, pop in a ‘wine cube’ to add flavour. This works for red or white wine.
Cool water
Save water by storing your drinking water in a jug or bottle in the fridge rather than waiting for the tap to run cold.
Book sharing
If you're a bookworm, instead of buying new books, start a book-sharing club with friends and colleagues. Sharing books saves resources and money, and can improve your social life!
Cleaner windows
For sparkling windows and mirrors, try adding white vinegar to water – ½ and ½. Use a sponge or a spray bottle to apply, then dry off with scrunched up newspaper.
Saving fuel
Try these tips to save money and fuel.
- Remove unnecessary weight and roof racks - they increase the weight and air resistance so they increase the amount of fuel you use.
- Air conditioning and other on-board electrical devices (like mobile phone chargers) increase fuel consumption, so only use them when necessary.
Keep your tyres inflated correctly, under inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by around 5%.
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