Labour's Group Action in Norwood (GAiN) project has been out and about once again taking on issues in the ward.



The team from Norwood's local Labour branch tackled an overgrown alleyway connecting Newton Street and Milton Street, removing weeds, dog muck and debris to leave it looking spick and span.




The GAiN project carries out community work in the ward and has undertaken a range of activities from helping elderly tenants in sheltered accommodation restore their garden to organising community skips so residents in the area can clear their clutter.




Labour's Norwood Ward Chair, Greg Myers, says the group is always on the lookout for community projects in the ward to benefit local residents:




"When I raised the idea of starting the GAiN project with our members, they jumped at the chance. We live in Norwood and we want to do what we can to help improve conditions in the ward and for our neighbours."




"This is actually the second time we've cleared this particular alleyway, the first came from a request from a resident just over a year ago. This time we did it as a surprise as we noticed it was in need of some work again."




"It's easy for folks to say the council should be on top of this sort of thing but we fully recognise that with nearly a quarter of a billion in cuts inflicted on the local authority, other things such as elderly social care or children's services have to take priority."




"So we've got on with it and it's gone down really well, with several residents coming over to thank us. One lady even made us all a brew, which was really appreciated. The dog muck that we found here and had to clean away, not so much though."




Labour activist Carran Waterfield says it's an unpleasant issue but easily solved with a little consideration:




"It does seem to be a problem in the area but you don't see stray dogs around here so we'd like to encourage owners when walking their animals to bag it and then bin it when they get home. It only takes a little bit of thought and would make such a difference in the ward and indeed across the town."




The group is also keen to hear from any Norwood residents with local issues or community action suggestions, says local Labour Chair Greg:




"We are all part of this community, let's do what we can to help our neighbourhood and each other. If anyone has any issues or projects we might be able to assist with, drop a note into the post office on Bispham Road with your contact details and it will get to me. If we can help, we will."

I can only support you morally, guys)