Weir Estate was visited by the London Assembly’s Val Shawcross, Leader of Lambeth Council, Councillor Steve Reed, this week to see what WERA has achieved with the support of the local Ward Councillors, such as the new Windows and to meet members of Thornton Ward to hear their views.

Valerie Shawcross, the Labour Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark, along with Councillor Reed met with WERA Chair Dave McEvoy, Treasurer Sue Cranmer and other residents, to commemorate the starting of the long awaited new double glazed windows and door replacement, as well as finding out about how Weir Estate is building new partnerships, to improve the lives of those living in and around the Weir Estate.

Mrs Shawcross and Councillor Reed also met staff at the Weir Link as well being given a tour of Agnes Riley Gardens and neighbouring Poynder’s Gardens Estate, where Lynn Lazenby, Chair of Poynder’s Gardens Residents Association showed off their new look community flat which has been remodelled from a tired former council property.

Following the walkabout on Tuesday, Valerie Shawcross and Cllr Reed, along with the Ward Councillors and members of the community were treated to refreshments at the Weir Link, a Children’s & Community Centre on the Weir Estate.

Thornton Ward’s Safer Neighbourhood Team were also present to give information about the partnership with WERA which has seen a constant low crime rate on the estate and the teams efforts keeping crime in the ward at a constant low.

Following the walkabout, Val Shawcross said of her visit “A really uplifting visit – it’s amazing to see what can be achieved by talented and committed volunteers. A fantastic set of projects. Great nursery, what a fantastic group of people involved in Weir estate Residents Association. They’ve achieved great things for the community”

WERA has worked closely with Thornton Ward Councillors to bring about many changes to Weir Estate to make life better for residents. The visit was set up following Val Shawcross’s WERA Asks on our website, wera.org.uk and Chair Dave McEvoy invited her to see the work that has been achieved by working with councillors and members of the council to make a real difference to their community.

Councillor Reed, also praised WERA following his visit this week “I really enjoyed my walkabout on the Weir Estate. It’s great to see all the work that’s under way to install brand new double-glazed windows.

The improvements on the Weir Estate are happening because community leaders and their local Labour councillors worked in partnership to give the estate a louder voice. The Weir Estate is a real example of what ‘people power’ can achieve and I’d like to congratulate residents’ association chair Dave McEvoy and everyone else who’s put in so much time and effort to make their estate a better place to live.”

Pictures for the Lambeth Life had also been taken for the future edition of the local newspaper distributed by Lambeth Council where the success of the new windows to the estate will be featured.

Chair, Dave McEvoy said briefly “We are incredibly honoured and grateful that Val, Steve, the Councillors and SNT visited Weir Estate and can see what a real difference we are making to our community. I hope this shows what we, as residents can do when we are empowered and able. This walkabout went someway to recognising the efforts of all involved and all across Thornton Ward”

Steve Reed has also written a story on his website, at www.stevereed.org.uk