By Rachel Cole, Senior Project Officer
Rachel first started to support the Manvers Residents Association, Wath group in Summer 2021, when they wanted to set up a resident’s association for their estate. The initially attended training through RotherFed and RMBC on how to set up a group, organising events, first aid and safeguarding, they then became constituted. The group originally wanted to set up to try and challenge Manvers Lake Trust about the annual fees all the residents are required to pay to help towards the upkeep of the lake. Whilst the group continue to raise funds to do this, they also now focus on making a difference in the community by putting on events/activities etc. The group have just held their 2nd Annual General Meeting.
Over the past year, they have held an event for the King’s Coronation, they secured funding through RMBC to help towards this, they have held a community picnic, hold regular community litter picks throughout the estate, held a Christmas elf hunt, an Easter bunny hunt and have set up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme which now has 168 members signed up to. Future plans, include raising money for the Royal British Legion with Manvers Poppy week, signage for the duck crossing, a community noticeboard, the group are working with RMBC to secure this. The group are also planning a Scarecrow festival in 2024.
The group also produces a quarterly newsletter which is distributed via email on their Facebook page.
This group has gone from strength to strength and are achieving so much for their community, they should be really proud. I will continue to support this group as and when required, however, they’re a very capable group and require little input from myself/others, which is fantastic.
