History and achievements: 2016 - present
Landlords and managing agents
TNRA chairs Edward Heckels and Tim Horsler continue regular meetings with Trinity House Secretaries Graham Hockley and (from 2019) his successor Martin Atherton, face-to-face and by telephone since the arrival of Covid-19.
The standard of management provided by Capita declines. In April 2018 Knight Frank (KF) take over as managing agents. In October 2019 Louie-Mae Gibson arrives as Estate Director in the Trinity Street office, soon followed by a complete turnover of office staff.
In 2019 external decoration of the Estate is put on hold in favour of refurbishing internal common parts and KF undertake a survey of the external fabric of all properties. Concerned about the standard of repairs and delays in carrying them out, TNRA gives Louie-Mae a list of outstanding repairs and sets up regular meetings with her to monitor progress. In late autumn 2019 TNRA asks members to complete a survey of Knight Frank’s performance, which is deemed to be poor. A repeat survey a year later results in a perceived improvement.
From 2017 commercial properties in Swan Street and Harper Road are demolished to make way for a complete redevelopment of the site. Archaeological excavations carried out prior to the commencement of construction work reveal a complete Roman sarcophagus. Developer Galliard’s non-compliance with planning permissions and building regulations proves hugely disruptive for residents in the area until the new buildings are finally completed in 2019.
TNRA complains to Capita in 2017 about the standard of maintenance given to long leasehold properties by Mainstay.
Roman sarcophagus uncovered by excavations in Swan Street
Rent and leases
In 2017 TNRA works with the small number of Assured Tenants left in Trinity Village when Capita asks for a 13-15% increase in their rents; increases of 5% are eventually agreed.
Protected tenants in Gloucester Court get rent reduction from the Rent Officer in 2017 because of disruption of redevelopment opposite them in Swan Street. Trinity House appeal unsuccessfully to First-tier Tribunal.
Long leaseholders in 4–6 Trinity Church Square (TCS) purchase their freehold in 2018 after long struggle with Trinity House, with some financial support from TNRA, culminating in a win for the leaseholders in the Court of Appeal.
TNRA negotiates with Knight Frank over content of new assured shorthold tenancy (AST) leases in 2019; in 2020, sets up monthly on-line surgery for AST tenants; monitors number of empty properties; and supports Merrick Square tenants faced with large rent increases.
Gardens
From 2017 access to the gardens is controlled by a fob entry system. Gardens are much used in 2020 by residents during lockdown. This results in some wear and tear as well as late night noise issues on occasion, following which TNRA agree upon revised garden rules with KF to be displayed on noticeboards beside the gates. Half of TCS grass is reseeded in autumn 2020, more paving is laid at the entrance and by the seats, and an irrigation system is installed. From April 2021 Penny Hinves takes over the gardening contract for the estate.
In 2021, the statue in Trinity Church Square garden is renovated by London Stone Conservation, with a grant from Heritage of London Trust, and is discovered to be of partly Roman origin.
Learn more about the statue in Trinity Church Square here.
TNRA admin
Tanja Jost sets up a TNRA Facebook group in 2018 which quickly gains over 100 members and becomes a useful forum for communication. Membership form allows subscriptions to be paid online.
In April 2019, Tim Horsler takes over from Edward Heckels as TNRA chair. Edward is now Vice-Chair and continues to be the TNRA contact for most matters concerning Southwark Council services. TNRA committee gives Edward a bound set of TNRA newsletters from his six years to celebrate his time as chair.
The Covid-19 pandemic necessitates monthly committee meetings in 2020 and 2021 being held via Zoom. The 2020 AGM is cancelled and the Annual Report and audited accounts are e-mailed to members. The 2021 AGM is also held via Zoom, with 40 residents attending. Despite the pandemic, TNRA membership in 2020/21 was over 200 households.
Clive Greenwood co-ordinates volunteers to help vulnerable residents with shopping etc. during pandemic.
In 2020 TNRA sets up Keep Christmas Local initiative for members to advertise and sell their goods online.
Members receive monthly e-letters and twice-yearly newsletters, containing news, historical articles and features about residents.
Events
On the evening of 22 November 2016, more than 100 current and former TNRA members gather in Henry Wood Hall to celebrate the anniversary of TNRA’s inaugural meeting, held exactly 40 years previously, with a champagne reception and a three-course meal.
In 2017, 2018 and 2019 events include pub quizzes, wine tastings, porch sales, yoga, garden fetes, bookstalls, carol singing and other music in TCS garden, Christmas drinks in Merrick Square rectory, local walks, garden action days, pancake races, show and tell antiques evenings, performances by the Rehearsal Orchestra and a tour of Trinity House.
From March 2020 Covid-19 lockdown and social distancing restrictions curtail most of TNRA’s activities. Some garden action days and pop-up bookstalls take place with social distancing when permitted.
In July 2021 TNRA events resume with Drinks with the Committee in and outside Henry Wood Hall attended by about 70 People.
Southwark council/Environment
Following TNRA lobbying:
Pavements on the estate are replaced with York stone in Merrick Square, Trinity Church Square, Trinity Street and Falmouth Road.
Cole Street roadway is resurfaced and pavements replaced.
Bicycle racks are installed in Merrick Square (2018) and Falmouth Road (2021).
TNRA and the Roebuck Action Group (RAG) obtain a grant for improvements to the Roebuck piazza, including planters installed in 2021.
Council discontinues monthly community skip in Trinity Church Square from April 2019 because of ULEZ regulations. Other council cleaning services are reduced, including graffiti removal in 2021.
TNRA comments on planning proposals in the area including: King’s Place, Borough triangle, Falmouth Road surgery, and Dickens Square Park improvements. Work on the latter finally begins in 2020 and is completed in 2021.
TNRA vigorously protests against the proposal to restrict left turns into Harper Road from Borough High Street and force traffic through TCS. A KF report supports our position and the proposal is abandoned in January 2020.
Roebuck piazza
Filming
Ali Walker continues to liaise with Southwark Film Unit about filming in Trinity Village, which provides useful income for TNRA. Shoots include Walt Disney’s Christopher Robin (2017) Vanity Fair (2017), The Nevers (2019) and Life after Life and Whirlwind (2021).
Filming in Trinity Church Square in 2021
Crime
Trixie Cartwright and Shaun Stern attend Safer Neighbourhood panel meetings with local police and remind residents about keeping safe and reporting crime.