Double celebration in Barnstaple

Belle Meadow Court was the first purpose built accommodation for single people in Barnstaple. It has been extended to include more flats, a community room and offices for the local Citizens Advice Bureau as well as a library set up and run by residents.

Simon Harvey, the estate manager, has two reasons to celebrate. He introduced the first estate magazine which is 10 years old this month. Published quarterly, Simon writes, prints and distributes the newsletter himself.

Simon is always keen to get residents involved in developing facilities and services for the estate. A survey of residents seeking ideas and suggestions to improve their surroundings brought some interesting results. Almost half the residents responded and 75% of them wanted prickly bushes around the borders of the scheme to deter people climbing over the walls.

Resident Chris Price initially suggested the idea and won a hamper.

Other things residents wanted were litter bins, another cycle and bin store and removal of large bushes from beds to improve security. We are looking at how all of these can be achieved.