Newsletter – Page 7 – The Chocolate Works Residents Association

September 2019

September 2019, Issue No. 7 Email: chocworksra@gmail.com

All that Jazz

A wonderful and informal jazz evening was held on Bayldon Square on 14th September. Many thanks to Clare Skardon for her immense hard work and devotion to detail where so many were able to enjoy not only the jazz, but the exquisite sunset which crowned the whole event. (Not sure how Clare managed to order that).

There were four musicians in the group, Ron Burnet, being the leader. He played trombone and vocals. The keyboard, trumpet and trombone, with additional vocals from Bob Gilvene added to the rich sounds of pure jazz from the 1920’s – although towards the end of the evening they played a miscellany of relaxing 1990’s tunes. Their smart black tuxedoes added to the sense of occasion.

The evening was a huge success, and although each person only paid £2.50, there was enough money to pay the band their £260 fee and make a £41.50 contribution to the Chocolate Works Residents Association funds. Many bought their own wine, chairs and tables. One music enthusiast brought a barbecue and lighted candles which added to the festivities – after all we were there to have fun, celebrate our homes and the Chocolate Works.

The feedback from this jazz evening has been immensely positive and it is hoped that next year we can make it an even bigger and better celebration.

A big thank you to Hilary for writing this review and to everyone who supported this event.

Annual General Meeting – Monday 14th October

Please join us for The Chocolate Works Residents Association Annual General Meeting & The Chocolate Works Management Company Open Forum on Monday 14th October, 7pm – 8.30pm at St Chad’s Church, Campleshon Road

The Chocolate Works Residents Association AGM – Agenda

Welcome and Approve Minutes of previous AGM
Chair’s Report – What have we done?; What are we doing?; What do we want to do?
Treasurer’s Report
Agree proposed changes to the Residents Association Constitution
Ratify Election/Re-Election of Officers to the Committee: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer & Secretary. Current Officers will be re-elected unopposed unless there are further nominations. Nominations for any of these positions should be emailed to secretary.chocworksra@gmail.com to be received by 5pm Monday, 7th October 2019
Any Other BusinessMore detailed content will be emailed out to Members of the Residents Association in the week commencing 7th October 2019

The Chocolate Works Management Company Limited – AGM and Open Forum Meeting – Agenda

From 7.45 pm – details TBA. This meeting will be run by Watson Property Management.

CWRA Membership – Please Join Us!

The Residents Association has decided that membership will be free for the year 2019-20120 (to be reviewed in October 2020). All current memberships will automatically roll over. If you are not yet a member please go to CWRA.co.uk and hit the Join Us button on the homepage, fill in your details and you will become a member. (NB subscribing to the newsletter does NOT automatically make you a member.) Membership enables you to vote at the AGM on decisions which may affect you.

Social Groups/Events

Please see website for full details: Social Groups

Monthly Coffee Morning – 2nd October, 10am

First Wednesday of every month at St Chad’s Church Hall, 10 – 11 am. All welcome!

Nic’s Curry Club – 17th October, 7pm

If you haven’t yet got your name down for the first outing of the Curry Club to Village Spice restaurant, on Thursday 17th October, and would like to join please text Clare: 07931 179181.

Afternoon Coffee Club – 23rd October, 1.30pm

This month we are heading out to The Reading Cafe in Rowntree Park on Wednesday 23rd October, 1.30pm. This is open to everyone so please do join us if you are free!

Christmas Carols on the square – Sunday 15th December (around 6.30pm)

Christmas Carols on the Square returns! Please get it in your diary in preparation for that Festive Mood. More details to follow nearer the time.

What’s Going On – Wider Community

National chocolate week at Goddards – 16th – 20th October

Wall mural from the old Chocolate Factory

Discover more about one of the world’s most iconic chocolates – the Terry’s Chocolate Orange – at the former Terry’s home. Take a nostalgic look at chocolate boxes from the past, make your own chocolate box to take home, and learn more about what is was like to work for Terry’s by trying out the Clocking In trail in the factory rooms. Event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue. Please see National Trust website for full details.

York Minster Northern Lights – 24th – 31st October

Don’t miss the return of the awe-inspiring Northern Lights event at York Minister. The sound and light installation will transform the cathedral’s cavernous Nave with images and audio inspired by the medieval Minster’s stained glass and stone. For full details see the Visit York website.

The Chocolate Works FaceBook Group

CWRA Membership

If you’re not yet a member of the CWRA but would like to join us please see our Membership page. New members always welcome.

CWRA Website

Contact Us

29-August-194-August-20

August 2019

August 2019, Issue No. 6 Email: chocworksra@gmail.com

A Lovely Afternoon Tea!

Bridget & Dan Barry and Julie & Paul Hughes held a ticketed afternoon tea in their gardens on the afternoon of 10th August, with the aim of a) helping residents get to know each other a little better, and b) raising funds for the proposed CWRA defibrillator.

The event was very well attended and guests coped admirably with the odd shower. The food was of a very professional standard and accompanied by the odd glass of convivial drink that seemed to help get people talking. A raffle was also held, with prizes kindly donated by neighbours. Consequently they were able to present the Residents Association with £140 towards the proposed defibrillator.

Many, many thanks to the Barrys’ and Hughes’ for opening up their gardens to us, and for the hours of work involved in preparing the food; and thanks to all those who turned up and contributed to a lovely afternoon. Please visit our Photo Gallery to view a few photos of this event.

Estate Management

07b54251ec70da8f9d90b22a988dfa03b0bd7a69

Following a series of meetings with the site maintenance surveyor, and a Director of Watson in their Leeds office we are able to confirm the following:

Watson are going to install height restriction notices over the tunnels to car parks
Watson will replace the dead trees in Bayldon Square with Cherry trees in November, and will replace the light in the grassed area of Bayldon Square as soon as possible.
Watson state that one of their responsibilities is to manage nuisance e.g. noise, parties until late, using properties as AirBnB’s, ball games etc. So please contact Watson’s if you have an issue with these.
If you see plants, shrubs or trees that have died in new planting areas please contact David Wilson Homes. This is considered a “snagging” issue and the responsibility for replacement lies with DWH in the first two years.

Other Estate Management news:

Car Parking has been taken on as part of Estate Management
We are currently seeking willing and active volunteers to assist with all areas of Estate Management. Please get in touch if you can help: chocworksra@gmail.com

Planning

Planning-header

If you are concerned about the increasing size of the development, and wish to protect the heritage of the Clock Tower, please keep the following dates in your diaries.

Wednesday, 4th September 10 am

Site visit by councillors to look at the site of Block K (18/1934/FULM) – (30 apartment block between the Care Home and the liquor store). We are objecting on grounds of heritage and bulk & massing. However, a previous block (H) has already been approved. Please turn up to speak to your councillors at the site entrance nearest the Care Home & Liquor Store.

Tuesday, 10th September 10am

Site visit by councillors to look at Block M, followed by a council meeting to approve on Thursday, 12th September at 4.30pm. Block M is at the end of Clock Tower Way, and situated directly in front of the Clock Tower. It was initially approved as houses, and we are objecting to this application for 20 apartments on the grounds of heritage and bulk & massing.

The more people who turn up to meet councillors at the site visits the better. It is an informal opportunity to register concerns and ask questions.

Annual General Meeting – Monday 14th October

This is a dual purpose meeting as follows:

1) The Residents Association will hold its 1st Annual General Meeting. This is an opportunity for you to hear what we have done during our first year, and for you to begin to tell us what you feel should be our priorities for next year. It will also be an opportunity to elect/re-elect Officers of the Committee.

2) Watson, our Management Agent, will make a presentation of their role and function, followed by a Q & A session.

Adoption of Roads by City of York Council

We have had a first meeting with a Technical Director of David Wilson Homes, prior to further meetings with him and York Council. The process of adopting the roads needs to start now, as the legal elements are complex, and the Council process is somewhat slow.

In the first instance is the question of the leasehold nature of many of the residents’ parking spaces and the impact this may have on adopting roads around those spaces. If there is anyone with a legal background, preferably property law, or other related skills, we would be delighted if you wished to get involved and help guide us through the legal minefield which this is likely to throw up. (Please leave a message on chocworksra@gmail.com and we will get back to you.)