by, Peter Hayman
Almost Christmas – and almost the end of a year which I’m sure many of us would prefer to forget!
I heard recently of a lady who says she’s not going to count this year towards her age, as she hasn’t used it! It has however, been a busy year for the TRRA committee!
What have we been up to? Since the association was set up last February, (somehow it seems much longer!), I think we can justifiably say that we’ve already achieved a lot. We’ve been able to open communication channels with all the main organisations responsible for various aspects affecting our local environment, and the quality of life on the estate.
Taking on Gloucestershire Highways. One of the ‘highlights’ of the summer, was our successful campaign over the resurfacing of the Staunton Road. It took quite an effort to persuade the highways department that, while we would all be pleased to have a nice smooth road surface, we were not prepared to be ‘locked down’ for another month while they did the work! 
In the end, the roadworks were completed on schedule, and with a minimum of disruption to our residents. We were also very pleased that the private contractors involved, were so pleasant and obliging while the work was in progress.
This episode however, did give the TRRA the opportunity to make contacts, and work together with our local councils. We were particularly impressed by, and grateful for, the support given by Coleford Town Council and our mayor, Nick Penny.
Estate works. We have, (mainly through Simon Oldroyd’s persistent efforts,) been able to stir David Wilson Homes into taking, long overdue, action to sort out the problems with the poor standard of much of the estate infrastructure. Their contractor ‘EMG’, has begun work on the new drainage culvert on Cadora Way, to relieve the annual flooding caused by the run-off from the field to the west.
The original plan was to complete this work by Christmas, but there have been delays due to ‘service’ installations being found in ‘unexpected’ places. DWH now expect to finish this work by the end of January. 
We understand that several residents have had to put up with some unpleasant muddy conditions, but unfortunately some mess is unavoidable during this sort of work. I’m sure the end result will be worthwhile, and we can only hope that last winter’s deluge is not repeated before then! (I shouldn’t have said that. I really shouldn’t have said that!)
Work on the pedestrian access to Oakfields and St John’s school, has also been delayed, but it too should be completed in January. But we also know that much remains to be done, and we will be ‘back on the case’ in the New Year!
To end the year however, we have another success to report.
Welcome to our new members! For several months now, Simon Oldroyd has been liaising with Stonewater Housing Association, with a view to involving more of their customers in TRRA activities. As a result, Stonewater has agreed to fund a ‘block membership’ to include all of their 62 households. This will be for a trial twelve month period from 1 January 2021, and will be reviewed by Stonewater during the course of the year.
To make sure that Stonewater customers’ views and concerns are fairly reflected by the TRRA, we are hoping to invite two residents to join the committee. Please let one of the committee members know if you would be interested in joining us! (Contact details are in the ‘About Us’ section of the website.)
And finally … although it’s going to be a much more subdued festive season than normal, may we take this opportunity to wish all our residents a very happy Christmas.
Stay safe, and hopefully by next Christmas this year will all be a distant memory!