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A group of St Neots adults with learning difficulties and disabilities will this week be celebrating both their garden’s nomination for an award, and a donation of £1,000 from Friends of Muir Group.
The celebration will take the form of a tea party on Thursday 12 July in their organic vegetable garden, which at this time of year is a riot of colour with green beans, tomatoes, strawberries and herbs among other crops.
Some of the gardeners are residents of Muir Group, the local housing association whose charitable subsidiary Friends of Muir Group will present a grant of £1,000 to the scheme on Thursday.
This follows a donation of £1,800 last year towards a greenhouse. The garden is cultivated by seven adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, along with their volunteer helpers. It was set up 18 months ago by Anne Tubridy of Adult Learning Difficulties and Disabilities Services, who run the scheme.
St Neots Town Council has also provided funding for the garden. St Neots Town Council nominated the garden for the Anglia in Bloom competition, special needs section.
Thursday’s tea party follows immediately after the presentation at the council’s offices to mark the judging.
Photocall: tea party at the vegetable gardens at 1.30pm, Thursday 12 July, at Bargroves Centre, Cromwell Road, St Neots. (Immediately after the presentation lunch at the council offices and just five minutes from the offices) Friends of Muir Group coordinator Beverley Price said: “This is a valuable scheme that helps adults with learning difficulties and disabilities to develop their independence and learn enjoyable, useful skills. We are delighted to support this project as Muir Group has a strong tradition of supporting local community initiatives.” Anne Tubridy of Adult Learning Difficulties and Disabilities Services added: “Working in the garden teaches these adults skills they didn’t have before, and helps them build links with their local community. One of the gardening team never did anything productive with his time before he joined this scheme. We try to open up their lives to become part of the community and to do something valuable.” For more information call Michaela O’Brien on 01883 730379 or 07905 849306 or Kate Ingram on 07717 432414
Muir Group
An amazing opportunity to buy into a waterside development in historic Chester has been opened up to include first time buyers, thanks to Muir Group.
Muir Group, a not-for-profit housing association, has teamed up with David McLean and Chester City Council to offer 76 of the 190 apartments in the stunning new Racecourse Apartments development for shared ownership.
The prestigious development will include a riverside restaurant and has views over the River Dee and Chester racecourse.
It is within a short walk of the city centre’s renowned restaurants, bars and shops.
The apartments are being built by leading developers David McLean, and should be ready to move into later this year.
Affordable for first time buyers
Shared ownership lets first time buyers buy half their home while renting the other half, bringing previously unaffordable apartments within the budget of would-be home owners on lower incomes. Muir Group has helped hundreds of first time buyers to take their first step on the property ladder.
Steeped in history
The Racecourse Apartments development is in a prime location steeped in Chester’s rich local history. It has views over the River Dee, named after the goddess of the river who gave the Roman name for this ancient city.
And it is next door to Chester Racecourse, the oldest racecourse in the country. There has been racing at the site for nearly 500 years. Today’s silver and gold trophies have their roots in the ball of silver made by the Chester Goldsmiths Company that was given to race winners in the Middle Ages.
The 76 one-bed and two-bed apartments will be fitted with modern kitchens with oven, hob and extractor. Carpets/flooring is included. There is secure parking and an intercom system to each apartment.
For more information, contact: Muir Groups Sales Department on either 01928 728039 or 01928 728055.
Muir Group
Local families and first time buyers on lower incomes are to be given the first option on 22 recently completed apartments in the exclusive Canal Village development in Ellesmere Port.
As part of Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council’s commitment to delivering more affordable homes in the borough, they have teamed up with the not-for-profit housing association Muir Group, and developer Bellway Homes, to offer 22 apartments on a shared ownership basis to local people.
Muir Group, which has a solid track record in helping those in housing need, will manage the shared ownership properties.
Situated near to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port (formerly known as the Boat Museum), the development is in a very desirable location and includes luxury apartments for outright sale. All the brand new one- and two-bedroom apartments are finished to a very high standard.
Shared ownership helps people on lower incomes who are finding it difficult to get onto the property ladder, by allowing people who can’t afford to purchase outright to buy a share in the property instead.
Helen Davies, one of the council’s Senior Housing Officers, explained: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people who are struggling to find a property they can afford, especially first time buyers. Shared ownership is an excellent, manageable way of buying your home in stages so that it is more affordable. For example, on the Canal Village scheme, you can buy a half share in an apartment for half of the full purchase price and pay a small rent and service charge on the remaining half. You can only purchase a half share to begin with, but you can buy further shares up to a maximum of 75 per cent when you can afford to.”
Muir’s Sales Manager Elaine Catterall added: “Too many local people are being forced out the areas where they grew up because of rising house prices. We have found that through shared ownership schemes, like this one at Canal Village, we can help people on lower incomes to buy a home and give them the chance to stay in their local community.”
The shared ownership scheme is targeted at people in genuine housing need, and preference
will be given to people who are currently living in the borough or who have a strong
family or employment connection with the borough. People who are interested in buying
one of the shared ownership apartments should contact estate agents Cavendish Manley
on 0151 355 3576.
14 August 2007
Muir Group
Residents at a sheltered housing scheme for older people celebrated five years of fundraising for a local hospice by raising £1,326 at a BBQ on Saturday 11 August, making a total of £7,300 raised over the last five years.
Tweedsmuir, a sheltered housing scheme run by Muir Group for older people in Chester, regularly organises BBQs, teas and other fundraising events with the Hospice of the Good Shepherd. The funds go towards the ongoing provision of specialised care to patients from the local community.
The BBQ on Saturday was attended by 126 residents, families and friends of both the Muir sheltered housing scheme and the independent hospice, which provides a whole package of care for people living with advanced disease.
A raffle, a tombola and an entertainer all added to the fun on the day.
Tweedsmuir’s manager Lyn Derricutt said:
“The Hospice is a very special place and the residents at Tweedsmuir are always ready to join in with events like this BBQ to raise funds that help the Hospice keep up its good work.”
Margaret Teasedale, chair of the Hospice in-house support group, added:
“We all pull together to make these events happen: volunteers do all the shopping and cooking, set up the tombola and so on. The Tweedsmuir residents are very generous and welcome us into their grounds so we can cook there on the day of the BBQ.”
Tweedsmuir is a purpose built sheltered housing scheme, owned and managed by the charitable housing association Muir Group. The 40 residents have their own flats as well as access to communal facilities such as a laundry and lounge.
For more information call Kate Ingram on 07717 432414, or Michaela O’Brien on 01883 730379 or 07905 849306.
Muir Group Photocall and media release
More than a dozen local children have jumped at the chance to trade in their usual summer kickabout for a football coaching session at Holbeach United FC stadium coached by the club manager, thanks to Muir Group.
Muir, a charitable housing association, has arranged for its residents, aged between four and 14, to have the free coaching session as part of a planned program of community development activities.
Muir’s community housing manager Charlotte Gout explained: “Community development is an important part of the Muir approach. Our work is not just about providing affordable housing for people in need. We also have a responsibility to help create a sense of community in the areas where we work. We hope that this coaching session is the start of something big. The kids are really excited about playing on the football pitch at a big stadium – and their parents are delighted that there’s something laid on for the kids to do during the summer holidays.”
Shaun Keeble, who is Holbeach FC manager and a former semi-professional player, will run the coaching session on a volunteer basis. He said: “There’s not much for kids to do round here and I feel that football is a start to getting them mixing together and building their confidence. Football coaching teaches kids how to compete, communicate and respect each other. This session is forging a link between the club, Muir and the local residents that can build a great community spirit for us all.”
Photocall:
You are invited to a photocall at 12 noon, Thursday 23 August, at Holbeach United Football Club Stadium, Carters Park, Park Road, Holbeach, Spalding LINCS PE12 7EE.
The children’s parents have been advised that press may attend the session.
Muir Group is providing more and more affordable housing in the South Holland area.
The housing association, which manages around 4,500 homes across the country for those in housing need, now has 14 newly built homes for rent in Tydd St Mary and Sutton Bridge, and there are more affordable homes in the pipeline.
Muir also has three two-bedroom houses currently available for shared ownership in the South Holland area, in Tydd St Mary.
The houses are available at £60,000 for the 50% share to buy, plus a weekly rent on the remaining 50% share.
For more information contact Kate Ingram on 01244 606138 or 07717 432414.
Every housing
association owning or managing more than 1000 homes has its performance assessed
by the Housing Corporation against four key criteria,
Financial Viability, Governance, Management and
Development. A “traffic
light” rating of Red, Amber or Green is given against each area, with Green as the
top rating. Four Green lights demonstrates
that the association has met or exceeded the required standard across all the categories
which are assessed.
John Carleton,
The Housing Corporation's Director for the North,
said:
“We are very pleased to announce that Muir Group
has gained all four green lights in its latest Housing
Corporation Assessment. This demonstrates that they have successfully met or exceeded
the standards set across all four key performance areas needed to ensure the quality
of the services they offer to the people of the
John Bellis, Muir Group's Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to get this recognition of the enormous effort that Muir Group puts into improving its services for customers and residents. We would like to thank the Housing Corporation for working with us to restore our performance standards to their usual excellence.
Local residents today joined housing association Muir Group, developers Redrow and local dignitaries in a celebration of Muir’s newest affordable housing development, which will provide much-needed homes at affordable prices for the people of Wrexham.
The Muir Group scheme in
The 26 new homes, built by the housing association Muir Group in partnership with developers Redrow and Wrexham County Borough Council, are available for shared ownership.
Shared ownership lets
first-time buyers and families on low incomes buy half their home on a mortgage
while renting the other half. This brings homes that were out of their reach within
budget. Muir Group is one of the
leading providers of shared ownership housing in the
A mortgage of £42,000 will buy a 50% share of one of the 1-bedroom flats in
One of the new homeowners in
“I couldn’t afford to buy my own place before. Then I found out about Muir and shared ownership from a friend at work and this flat was absolutely what I was looking for. This is a chance for me to stand on my own two feet. I’ve already settled in and I’m very happy.”
Muir Group regional manager David Hull said:
“Muir Group is delighted to be
helping local people take their first step on the property ladder in the thriving
town of
Robin Buckley, senior planning manager for Redrow Homes (
“Redrow takes its community commitments very seriously. More than just a housebuilder, we like to become a real part of and enhance the local communities in which we build.
“An important part of that is making homes accessible to a wider range of people, so partnerships with housing associations like Muir Group are very important. As well as a wide range of private sale apartments and houses, Pentre Bach now features properties available on a shared ownership basis ensuring a fully inclusive community.”
Wrexham County Borough Council‘s Lead Member for Social
Affairs, Health and Housing, Cllr Rodney Skelland, said:
“Property prices in Wrexham are making it too difficult
to afford to buy and schemes like this are essential to help local families stay
in their own community.”
For more information call:
· Michaela O’Brien for Muir Group on 01883 730379 or 07905 849306
· Kate Ingram at Muir on 07717 432414
· or Gill Stevens at Wrexham County Borough Council on 01978 292289.
Notes to editors:
1. Muir Group is a charitable housing
association, which owns and manages more than 4,500 homes from
2. Wrexham County Borough Council are winners of the SPIN/SOCITM
Welsh Website of the year 2006. For further information visit
http://www.wrexham.gov.uk
3. Redrow has created a whole new community on the edge of Wrexham town centre with its Pentre Bach development. The property mix includes a range of two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses.
For more information about properties for sale at Redrow’s Pentre Bach development call 0845 676 0367, or log on to www.redrow.co.uk/developments/view/15
For general information about Redrow and its developments visit www.redrow.co.uk
Planning green light for Muir Group signals ground-breaking new services for Egerton estate
A planning application approved today
by Melton Borough Council is set to transform life on the Egerton and
The planning application, submitted by not-for-profit housing association Muir Group, is for a combined children’s centre / community centre and 10 flats for shared ownership on Egerton estate. The estate is in one of Melton’s Neighbourhood Priority areas.
Muir’s Azhar Ahmed said:
“Local residents have campaigned
for this community centre for years. This scheme will bring a sense of community,
support and much-needed services to the Egerton and
The centre will be Leicestershire’s first combined children’s centre and community centre. It will offer sessions tailored for all sections of the community, from the under-5s and their parents, to teenagers, families and older people. The centre’s programme will include classes, IT, arts and crafts, sports, teas and other social events.
Local residents groups
Residents’ Action Group for Egerton (RAGE) have campaigned for some time for their
own community centre and have helped plan the design of both the community centre
building and the programme of activities that will be run there.
Brenda Smith of RAGE said:
“Members of RAGE
have been involved at all stages of the development of this project and are excited
about the potential initiatives that can be generated in their community and the
regeneration that will result.”
The 10 flats will be the first homes for shared ownership on the estate, aimed at the many local young people who cannot afford to buy on the open market. They will be earmarked for residents of Egerton and surrounding estates.
The shortage of affordable housing in the area often forces young people to move away if they want to buy a home. Shared ownership, a government-backed scheme, helps make home ownership affordable as the buyer takes a mortgage for just half the value of the property and rents the other half.
Building is expected to start in November. The community centre should be complete by the end of June 2008, and the flats by October 2008.