History and achievements: 1996–2006

Landlords and managing agents

Mr Dobb of Trinity House attends a TNRA committee meeting in 1998. He vows that they want to keep the shop in Swan Street and to let the (then empty) Trinity Arms as “some sort of hostelry”. However, in 2000 Trinity House submits a planning application to convert the Trinity Arms into flats. TNRA opposes the application because we want to keep this community asset and have evidence of several businesses that would like to run it as a bar or restaurant. Southwark Council refuses the application but it succeeds on appeal. In 2005 conversion begins and the pub becomes four flats at 29 Swan Street.

In 2001 TNRA holds a meeting for long leaseholders of blocks at 4–6, 9–11, 45–47 and 59–63 Trinity Church Square and Shaftesbury House at which the Cluttons partner responsible for the properties admits that they are not getting a good service from Cluttons. Tim Horsler joins the TNRA committee and coordinates matters concerning long leaseholds, including many changes of managing agents.

Answering a TNRA questionnaire about noise in 2006, residents report that they are disturbed most by noise from common parts of properties and from flats above and below. TNRA discusses soundproofing with Nelson Bakewell.

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The Trinity Arms closed ready for conversion

Rents

After correspondence with TNRA, Trinity House and Daniel Smith concede that protected tenants who move to another property on the Estate will keep their protected status (i.e. retain security and the right to a registered rent).

Gardens

Residents are allowed into Trinity Church Square garden in 1997. However, the noise and fumes of traffic along Trinity Street makes the garden less than inviting.

In 1998 Trinity House suggests taking part in the (then) London Open Garden Squares Day and so TNRA organises a garden fete in Merrick Square. From then on, TNRA runs an event each year on the Sunday of Open Garden Squares Weekend, eventually using both squares.

Consultants from Roots and Shoots design appropriate planting plans for the gardens. These have not yet been implemented in June 2000 and Merrick Square garden is bare, so at the garden fete Ali Walker organises painting and planting of paper flowers in the beds.

Environment and redevelopments

TNRA comments on proposals for redevelopments in Brockham Street, Swan Street and Falmouth Road and supports residents in complaints about demolition noise.

We support a campaign for the park on the corner of Swan Street and Harper Road not to be redeveloped but to be retained and designated a “dog park”.

TNRA comments on Southwark Council’s draft appraisal of the Trinity Church Square conservation area.

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Traffic

In 1998 Southwark Council presents its first plans for closing Trinity Street through traffic. After much consultation, exhibitions, meetings and a complaint by a resident to the local government ombudsman about the delay, in 2002 wooden gates are installed across Trinity Street outside 45 TCS. However, the Great Dover Street/Trinity Street junction is left open and traffic pours down Falmouth Road, increasing tenfold going south. Residents complain and TNRA committee member Penny Hinves coordinates responses.

Southwark Council undertakes traffic monitoring, questionnaires, traffic exhibitions and experimental closures at junctions of Great Dover Street with Trinity Street and Globe Street. Penny Hinves organises petitions, demonstrations and deputations to Southwark Council. Finally, in 2005 the junctions of Great Dover Street with Globe Street and Swan Street are made permanent with landscaping and trees.

Rubbish and recycling

TNRA liaises with Southwark Council as recycling schemes start in the borough. At TNRA’s request, the council arranges for a community skip to be delivered to the estate at the beginning of each month. This arrangement continues until 2020 when budget pressures on the Council lead to its termination. 

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TNRA administration

  • In 2000 TNRA is awarded a lottery grant to produce a loose-leaf Fact File.

  • In 2001 TNRA buys tables, chairs and gazebos for our own events and for residents and local groups to hire. The scheme proves popular and more equipment is added over the years.

  • In 2002 a TNRA website, e-mail and answerphone are set up.

  • TNRA greetings cards prove popular, especially at Christmas.

  • TNRA asks Cluttons if we can have a community noticeboard on the Estate.

  • Associate membership is introduced in 2003 for neighbours in some streets surrounding the estate: Brockham Street, Harper Road, Swan Street and Trinity Street.

Events

Several concerts are held in Henry Wood Hall, including one for our 25th birthday in 2001. Chair Ali Walker watches the cake being cut by oldest TNRA member Eddie Deeks and youngest, Alfie Webster

Resident Jamie Wynne Griffiths holds the first TNRA wine tasting.

Rosie Barnes runs Shrove Tuesday pancake races in Merrick Square

TNRA art shows are held in Gallery 33, Swan Street, thanks to Maria Linforth Hall

First Porch Sale is held at Henry Wood Hall in 2003. Lesley and Richard Exton sell books and Dorothy Brencher sells bric-a-brac

Paddy Hyams organises several TNRA day trips to France by coach.

We eat, drink and shop in Boulogne, Calais and Le Touquet