THE first meeting of a new association for the residents of Tiddy Brook Meadows in Tavistock was held last week, after nearly a year in the planning.

The Tiddy Brook Meadows Residents’ Association had a good turnout for its very first annual meeting with representatives from West Devon Borough Council, the police, Devon and Cornwall Homes and the estate manager in attendance.

The group was instigated by resident Marysu Godfrey who wanted to get residents on the estate to socialise more and come together to solve problems.

Mrs Godfrey said: ‘I bought my house in Tiddy Brook three years ago. Over time I started to feel that we needed a residents’ association to provide social events for residents, do community activities together to provide a better neighbourhood and to maintain the pleasant environment in which we live and that as a large group of residents we would have a far louder voice and more clout to resolve any problems and issues which might arise on the development.’

Mrs Godfrey started working on a new association last year and has spent a lot of time researching, seeing people, having meetings and gathering the right information to create an association that was honest and transparent and which would provide something for everyone.

‘We would like as many residents to join us as possible, including tenant residents, so that we have a wide consensus of views and ideas which will help us cater for the needs of our residents.’

At the meeting last week, the guests — West Devon Borough Councillors Graham Parker and Debo Sellis, PCSO Douglas King, WDBC locality engagement officer Mozza Brewer, Devon and Cornwall Housing group housing manager Sue Hammond and estate manager Sandra Brehmer — introduced themselves and provided information on how they could be of help to residents. The new committee was voted for and agreed upon.

Suggestions were made about possible events and projects the new residents’ association could start working on, including a residents’ picnic, litter picking, setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme and an organised walk, among other things.

‘In order for the association to succeed, flourish and grow, we need the residents to commit to the association and to work with us because without this, their interest and input, it will not succeed and it’s important that they realise this, as there is so much potential here for a good residents association,’ added Mrs Godfrey.

Anyone who could not make the meeting, but is interested in becoming involved can contact Mrs Godfrey via email on mrs.m.godfrey@gmail. com