De Beauvoir Estate

Bike Lockers

Posted on August 24, 2016 | Leave a comment

Do you or other family members ride a bike?

Want a practical and affordable solution to storing your cycling equipment?

The de Beauvoir Estate TRA are looking at ways to support cycling in our community because it’s good for your health, kinder to the environment and most of all a very convenient way to get about. The TRA are looking at various solutions for residents who want lockers for their bicycles. 1 of these include the ‘Bike Hangar’ (see below). It is currently unclear how many resident would like a solution like this so if you or a family member cycle or want to start cycling get in touch, tell us what you think. The more feedback we get the clearer we are on what people want and how to proceed. https://debeauvoirtra.org

In the meantime there are some bicycle storage facilities already available on the estate. These are single lockers managed by a company called Bikeaway. If you wish to apply for 1 of these you will need to contact them directly either through their website, phone or email: http://www.bikeaway.com/ 01752 202116 sales@bikeaway.com

Estate Allotments

Posted on August 24, 2016 | Leave a comment

Are you interested in an allotment?

Want to grow your own food?

The de Beauvoir Estate TRA has the opportunity to spend some of the EIB money on Allotments for our estate. 1 of the proposed plans is to place up to 6 of these raised allotments (see picture above) on the ‘podiums’ adjacent to Lancresse Court and Corbiere/Granville Courts. We (the TRA) would really like to hear from you if you are interested in gardening or growing your own food. We have a great chance to have some ‘Grass Roots’ activity on our estate and the TRA wants to support residents who get involved. Please contact Daniel, Secretary – De Beauvoir Estate TRA, if you want an allotment or have some suggestions and ideas about ways to improve the estate.

As a resident you are also welcome to attend our meetings and become part of the committee.

De Beauvoir TRA Planting Project

Posted on January 21, 2015 | Leave a comment

In 2008, members of the De Beauvoir Estate TRA had the idea to replant the 8 round concrete containers outside St Brelades Court and St Lawrence Court with plants. The containers had been empty for many years and were filled with litter, making them unsightly for residents and passers by and a health hazard for children.

The TRA decided to organise a Gardening Fun Day so that residents could come together and choose what plants would be in the containers, help plant them and meet other residents. There would also be activities for children. The TRA applied to Hackney Council for a “Special Projects Grant” to buy the plants and earth, organise the day and also for professional gardeners from Charity Groundworks to advise on what plants would be suitable and prepare the beds for replanting.

The Gardening Fun Day took place on a Saturday afternoon and was free of charge. As well as the planting the containers themselves, there was flower pot painting for children in which they were able to paint flower pots and fill them with bulbs and seeds to take home. Refreshments were provided along with tools, gloves, watering cans needed to do the job. The Groundwork gardeners provided help, advice and showed everyone how to use the tools safely.

Freshly planted containers

Adults and children from all over the estate attended, some of whom had lived on the estate for years and some who had only moved in a few weeks before. Many people said how nice it was for the containers to be replanted after laying empty for so long and how much they enjoyed meeting their neighbours. In particular, having a joint physical activity meant neighbours were able to work together even though they could not speak each other’s languages.

The project was such a success that in 2010 the TRA won another Special Projects Grant to plant out the large rectangular container by St Lawrence Court. They organised a similar Gardening Fun Day to do this which was attended both by those who had attended the previous one and new people as well.

Do you have an idea for a project that you would like to organise? If so the TRA would like to hear from you! Contact us here.