12.12.03
The chair of Cornwall Neighbourhoods For Change gets his skates on

Melville Durrant, chair of Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C), believes that community regeneration takes more than just sitting around a meeting table. It's all about getting local people involved in activities, doing new and interesting things together, and making disadvantaged communities feel valued.

For the past four weeks Melville's been taking part in an inter-generational project with a group of eight 14 to16 year-olds from the XL class at Humphry Davy School. The group has been working on a project based around the Princess May Recreation Ground - just over the road from their school. Older people have been sharing their memories of Princess May with the younger people who are likely to be the main users of the new facilities.

A place to skateboard is a high priority for the redevelopment, and the group have been making their own skateboards in readiness. Each week Melville takes them over to a workshop in Newlyn in the CN4C minibus, where he's also been making a skateboard of his own.

Melville said: "This is partnership in action. It's fun, it's different, and it's about the generations working together for a common purpose. I remember a time when Princess May was a thriving busy happy place. That's what we're working to recreate - to put a bit of heart back into the community.

"I'm proud that CN4C is playing a major role in partnership with Penwith District Council in the consultation for, and redevelopment of, Princess May. As a tenant led company we can bring a lot to the table. We manage a whole range of regeneration projects, and they all have access to one another to share ideas, resources and experiences – and have some fun along the way. This is a 'Between the Years' initiative, but we've also been able to draw on community development support from the Neighbourhood Pathways team, and borrow the CN4C minibus to get us to the workshops."

Although Melville has had a great time at the workshops, he doesn't plan to ride his own skateboard. When it's finished he's to donate it to CN4C. It's yet to be decided what it will be used for, but it certainly won't be just a trophy on the wall.

Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C) is a tenant-led community development organisation creating real and sustainable change by addressing the needs and desires of disadvantaged communities through partnership and participation. The chair, Melville Durrant, is a PHA tenant living in Penwith.

Editor's notes:

Further information:
Barbara Smith, PR Adviser – 01736 786421 / 07801 947897

Jason Clark
Communications Adviser
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
objectiveone@cornwall.gov.uk

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