Category Archives: housing

The £50 Adventure: Chapter 3

Posted on December 19, 2014 by odeboyz

Training was going on apace and the committee were beginning to understand their roles and how to work together as a team. We knew it wouldn’t be long before we were ready to start appointing staff. We looked at where … Continue reading →

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£50 Adventure: part 2

Posted on December 5, 2014 by odeboyz

The following year, despite receiving £25,171 in grants from the Government as well as £9,698 from the council, our section 16 agent fleeced us of £20,433 in administration fees. Our newly formed committee of 15 residents thought this was daylight robbery. The … Continue reading →

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The £50.00 Adventure.

Posted on November 22, 2014 by odeboyz

Eleven years ago, Jan (my wife) and I, along with two other couples started a TMO (Tenant Management Organisation) we call PETRA (Parkhill Tenants and Resident Association). I wrote to the Council and explained that we intended to form a … Continue reading →

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Cathy Come Home

Posted on October 14, 2014 by odeboyz

You will not be alone… Your life judged, wanton By middle class bigots Who sneered so politely When hands were washed In pejorative spite. That cold room washed in lime Where hypocrites Wrung their hands in silent glee To see … Continue reading →

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Gentrification: a downside

Posted on October 14, 2014 by odeboyz

“I hate crummy old inner-city blocks getting all revitalised with swish little stores catering to queers and stoned interracial couples.” John Updike Rabbit is Rich

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The Big Plaster

Posted on September 25, 2014 by odeboyz

Although childhood memories of the early 50s are fading fast, we should record them for our children to try and understand why we think and do as we do even now. They were the years that shaped us – and … Continue reading →

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Hackney Saga 2

Posted on September 5, 2014 by odeboyz

Despite all the efforts I had put into making the WIS (Wenlock Barn Improvement Scheme) work, whilst I was in hospital that week my old area boss Joe Terry succeeded in scuppering the continuation of the scheme set up under … Continue reading →

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The Hackney Saga

Posted on August 22, 2014 by odeboyz

Bob Beavis, my senior carpenter, was a great asset to me in that within his apprenticeship he had been taught how to become more than just a carpenter but a skilled joiner he used to overcome any technical problems. For … Continue reading →

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Town Hall Mouse

Posted on August 19, 2014 by odeboyz

“Well I declare”, said the Mayor with a stare – “There’s a mouse, just a sitting right there on my chair”. The Deputy Mayor looked over and said, “My goodness you’re right and its made it his bed”. The Mace … Continue reading →

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A Hackney Estate Before Its Time.

Posted on August 8, 2014 by odeboyz

In 1975 I had already worked for Hackney Council for 12 years first as a plumber then as the foreman plumber. Based in the depths of Shoreditch down Bowling Green Walk off of Pitfield Street. One lunch time I got … Continue reading →

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