Councillor Dave Harris, Working for Colchester and Berechurch residents.

After campaigning for a extra dog mess bin in Berechurch Hall Road, we can report a sucess. Cllr Dave Harris requested a bin and was backed by Cllr Kim Naish

The Neighbourhood action panel paid for the bin, and after Kim and Dave viewed the bin on New Year, so its on our latest newsletter for 2012 (the only REGULAR newsletter in Berechurch')

Then after a request for a litter bin in Berechurch Hall Road bus stop at the entrance to Solus Estate we can also report this is now in place.

We are pleased to start the year off on a postive note...

Cllrs Dave Harris and Kim Niash on a walk about new years day...

Its nearly 2012, and I wanted to use this moment to wish everyone a really prosperous and healthy new year.

Its been a busy year for me...

Lots of litter picks - Hundreds and hundreds of bits of casework - problems solved , but lots of problems still to campaign for.

I was so proud in May 2011 to be re elected with a massively increased majority to represent my friends and neighbours. But more than that I was humbled to be chosen by so many of the voters of Berechurch.

so have a great new year, and join me in trying to get the area better, and more caring to all.

Councillor Dave Harris

On 20th December, led by the Youth leaders from Integrated Youth service, the Monkwick youth club planned, created, and put on a 3 course Christmas dinner for pensioners in the area.

This was a brilliant excercise in cross generation communication, and with help from Youth Service, the young people did the area proud with their skills. A dinner, some Bingo, and a Xmas quiz all made the experience.

As one of the guests, I was so very proud of the young people and their caring attitude.

Thank you so much young people of the area

Dave Harris 07816168858

CHRISTMAS CARDS ON THE WAY TO ALL HOUSES IN BERECHURCH

A very warm festive greeting to all my friends, neighbours and constituents for Christmas and a happy new year.

Together with Cllr Kim Naish and the rest of our Labour team, I have been hand delivering Christmas cards to you all.

The card has a nice calendar on the rear, a great picture of a snow man, and some useful phone numbers for the agencies around Colchester.

I wish you all a prosperous new year, regardless of class, creed or political persuasion

Seasons Greetings - and its a timely reminder to wish YOUR neighbour a merry christmas and make them feel special

all the best

Cllr Dave Harris 07816168858

The last couple of Sundays I have been working with Community Payback team, and cutting down leaning trees and tiding up the area off School road.  Thomas Lord Audley wanted the work done, and with TLA staff, and probation service, its making a huge difference

Tonight I attended the youth celebration at the Town House, youth centre.

I praised the youth of Monkwick and Berechurch for the projects they have done over the past year.

Parents of the young people should be rightly proud of the work and commitment of our young people.

So many compliments from the community to the Youth Club members...

I repeat my words I said tonight from the rostrum, WELL DONE TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE, I AM REALLY PROUD OF YOUR EFFORTS...

Cllr Dave Harris

I have been writing to and fro to Essex County Council over the overgrown brambles and nettles along side School Road.

It was very poor, and the County Council said that it was not their reponsiblity.

I found that strange and made the point that if a child steps in the road because of the brambles and nettles, then I would be devastated if they were hurt by a car.

They eventually agreed to cut the verges back, but, after waiting 2 weeks, I went and did it myself with my hedge trimmer, as I couldnt let our children run the risk...

The verge is now cut back, and swept...

Thats cut backs for you !

Dave Harris 07816168858

14/10/11 - Cutting back the verge with hedge trimmer.....

On Saturday 24th September, residents of Birch Glen, with Cllr Kim Naish, and Cllr Dave Harris did a litter pick in Birch Glen, through footpaths, and on the public open space.

We picked up several bags of rubbish and took it for recycling to Shrub End tip

Thanks to those who took part, and remember to remind people to take litter home, or use the bins provided

Cllr Dave Harris

On Saturday 17th September, I had to go and over paint some graffiti on a concrete wall with grey paint.

I have had to do this before, and I will continue to do this to keep our area clear of poor quality and anti social markings..

I have plenty of grey paint, so will keep on doing this work.

Dave Harris -- Cllr for Berechurch

In the past week I have been invokved with leading two litter picks

One on Wednesday 7th on The Willows,

and the other on Saturday 10th on Monkwick Estate

Residents joined Cllr Kim Naish and myself to pick litter and clear our area

It is a timely message to those few people who drop litter.

We have other litter picks planned over this year, all to try to get the area looked after and looking better....

Today, Sunday 31/7/2011, I met with community pay back team to cut back the overgrown hedges, and shrubs which were causing the path to become impassable.

The supervision and team worked really hard, and I mucked in with them to make the area useable

if you walk between Queen Mary Avenue to Pownall Crescent on the footpath - spare a thought for the hard work to create a safer throughfare.

Councillor Dave Harris 07816168858

Councillor Dave Harris was recently approached by "The Princes trust" which does lots of great work involving team building and work elements for young people.

The Princes trust have been doing this work for over 35 years !!

The approach to Cllr Dave Harris was to ask if he had any ideas for a project.

Dave takes up the story..

"Once Princes Trust asked for a community project, I recalled a project I headed up 4 years ago, involving a then unloved and graffiti covered WW2 bunker pill box in Stansted Road which was a success, using Monkwick Residents association to manage.

I saw that another WW2 pill box in Mersea Road was in poor condition, and a feature un noticed with some graffiti on its walls. Bunkers like these are part of our history.

So I suggested that the young people could do a "make over" by negotiating with the Army a design, then raise some funds to pay for paint, which I helped with. These young people took on the challenge,

• They met with the Head of the Army in Colchester
• Created an acceptable design
• Applied their design to the walls
• Did lots of other work experience in furthering their careers

Well done to these young people - Cllr Kim Naish and I met and thanked these young people at the site.

I have agreed to get the help of a local artist to add definition to the work, then Cllr Kim Naish and I have agreed to give it a coat of lacquer to protect the Pill Box from any further graffiti

Its nice to see some positive young people getting some praise, so Well done them and well done the Princes Trust.."

Cllr Dave Harris

Councillor Dave Harris with the Princes Trust young people - July 2011

Saturday 9th July - 12 til 4pm saw the residents come together in a "fun day" on School Road public open space, to celebrate being a community

Berechurch net work group facilitated and supported Monkwick Residents association to achieve a plan to do this event.

Grassroots grants paid for the insurance and for such things as two bouncy castles, and some food and drink for the day.

The Co-op shop donated hot dog sausages and rolls, which Councillor Kim Naish and local helper Nick, (my son in law) cooked to give out

Friends of Monkwick School raised funds for the School by selling tea and coffees.

Thanks go to Lee Chappell who was DJ for the event, and who really got all the youngsters in the party mood.

Thanks to:

PRS Music for the entertainment licence, Colchester Council for use of land, Fay Mathers from CBC for advice and support, Chair and Sec of Monkwick residents association Karl and Crystal Alford, The St Margrets Church, and Orchard Baptist church, The nepalese community and nepalese dancers, the Monkwick Youth Club, Andy from suffolk owl sanctuary for bringing his birds along, Happy Soles bouncy castle, the football trainers from Col United, Chick Cox from Monkwick residents association for being our official photographer, The Monkwick Junior school cartetaker, and Monkwick Infant school teachers, The Ormiston childrens centre, and all the hundreds of Monkwick people who can and enjoyed being a community.

Councillor Dave Harris

On Sunday 19th June, the community payback came to work on an overgrown footpath leading from School Road, to The Willows and beyond to the Gurdon Road area.

The footpath is unadopted and was becoming un passable after vegetation was growing wild block the way to walkers

I asked community pay back to cut it back, and indeed worked with the team myself to make a difference.

Monkwick residents association committee members Allen and Dennis  were so pleased with the work, they brought tea, coffee, and chocolate snack bars for the workers

The supervisor was Des, who was pleased to hear how impressed the residents were with the work

The last few weeks a few people have done damage to the play area, broken a tree, and ripped up the soft ground surface that is designed to protect children from harm.

Working with residents, Councillor Kim Naish and Councillor Dave Harris have sorted additional scheduled patrols, and are doing patrols themselves

This was also covered in the local paper, with local residents urged to be vigilant, and report and anti social behaviour to Police on 0300 333 4444, or to Cllr Dave Harris on 07816168858 or to e mail details to dave_harris3@msn. com

A letter is also being delivered to every house stating the same actions.

As Dave and Kim have said : "We must not allow the mindless actions of a few to ruin our community, we offer a £50 reward for information leading to prosecution of any offenders"

Cllr Kim Naish and Cllr Dave Harris highlight the damage caused

Just a quick note that Monkwick Junior School has been involved with a litter pick, led by teachers and our local Community Street Warden.

Its great that the young are again setting an example to the few who drop litter,

Secondly the Gardening Club of Monkwick Junior school met myself and "Schools in Bloom" co-ordinator Mr Mike Connell.  We donated some plants, grown by an enthusiast to put our area in a better light.

Look out for the marigolds, stock, and other colourful plants we have planted with the children and the teaching assistants who enthuse our young people

WELL DONE TO MONKWICK JUNIOR SCHOOL

Cllr Dave Harris

In the past few days I have been requesting help from Police, street wardens, and Council to deal with some increase in  broken bottles and split apart tin drinks cans.

There has been a young man injured just by playing an innocent game of cricket.

I have asked for signs to be put up requesting users of local public open space to use litter bins.

In the meantime Councillor Kim Naish and I have put up our own signs to remind people to use bins

I appeal to anyone who breaks glass and rips open tin cans to think about the damage and risk this causes to innocent people.

If you see glass or tin cans, ring 01206 282700, or 282119, or indeed my self on 01206 545889 - 07816168858 so we can action

A clear up has been organised to remove the risk

Councillors Dave Harris and Kim Naish on the grass with signage

Councillor Dave Harris

Some time ago, the County Council withdrew the crossing patrol in Monkwick Ave.

I raised a petition and handed it in to prove the community need this safe crossing for children.

1000 or so people move accross Monkwick Ave at School days, and it is a busy bus route, with parking dificulties.

On 12/5/2011, BBC Essex interviewed me (along with residents and Head Teachers)

Cuts happen, but it should not be our front line services related to Safety.

BEN BLAND - BBC ESSEX REPORTER  INTERVIEWS COUNCILLOR DAVE HARRIS-

After several years of work, campaigning for allotment holder of the Willows, at long last there is a good news story to tell

The development cut off the access to Willows allotment a few years ago, and after meeting with Portfolio holders and Council Officers, I can report that with Section 106 money and with Council Community Money, a access road with a nice looking gate has been fitted.

Today the allotment holders and I celebrated the result, and we agreed to write a Thank you to Portfolio Holder, Taylor Wimpey, Council Officers to express our gratitude at this.

Councillor Dave Harris

May 5th Election in Berechurch

A huge thank you to every one who voted in my area on May 5th

The result was

1st    DAVE HARRIS (LABOUR)             1565

2nd  CONSERVATIVE                            450

3rd   LIB DEM                                        334

4th   GREEN                                          73

THATS A MAJORITY OF 1115.

I want to say how proud I am to represent my area, and of the confidence my friends and neighbours have in me

Councillor Dave Harris 07816168858