Thursday 17 April 2008
Over 120 of New Broughton’s senior citizens put the spring back into their step at a Tea Dance held to raise funds for the Broughton House ex-servicemen’s home in association with Countryside Properties, East Salford Neighbourhood Management Team (ESNMT) and The Broughton Trust.
The gladrags and handbags were out in force recently as the residents of Broughton House residential home enjoyed a tea dance organised to raise the profile of the ex-servicemen’s home. The event was held in partnership between ESNMT, The Broughton Trust, The Older People’s Forum and Salford City Council, and funded by New Broughton Developer Countryside Properties.
The dance’s highlight was a professional singer taking the stage to serenade the dancers with a fine selection of 30s 40s and 50s dance tunes. A quiz on famous couples throughout history, such as Fred and Ginger and Bonnie and Clyde also picked the brains of residents in a fun afternoon for all.
Alison Pearce, Community Development Worker for Salford City Council, noted: “We feel very strongly about being a part of the community. Through our older people’s forum, which works to give older people a voice in the community, we found out that many were concerned about being socially isolated, and stuck in their homes, so today’s event was very much a response to that concern.”
Julie Pass, Resource Centre Manger from Broughton Resource Centre, noted: “Today’s event isn’t just about having a bit of a dance, it does have a serious message too. We brought this event to Broughton House, and invited people from all of Lower Broughton’s residential care homes along to help ensure that people in residential care are not excluded from their local community, and can become involved in community activities.”
The head of Broughton House, Col. David Kirkwood, also added: “Broughton House are delighted to work with Salford City Council and The Broughton Trust to help provide today’s party. Our residents have been looking forward to it, and we hope the interaction with the local community will continue. Over the years, Broughton House has benefited from local support which needs to be continued to keep this vital resource open.”
The event is one of a number of initiatives going on in Lower Broughton to involve various communities in the extensive regeneration and community development that is now taking place in the area. Broughton House itself holds community events throughout the year, such as Christmas Fairs, Halloween Parties, Bonfire Parties and Summer Fairs.
Les Brown of Countryside Properties said: “In our role of leading the regeneration of Lower Broughton, we are always looking at innovative ways we can engage with the various different groups within the community. This struck us a great way to interact with community members we wouldn’t normally have a chance to talk to directly, while supporting one of the area’s particularly good causes.”
Joan Williams from the Broughton Trust, added: “Today has been a great opportunity for local people to work together on behalf of the older generation. I would love to see more events and initiatives of this type in Lower Broughton.”
The event forms part of the community-led regeneration of Lower Broughton, currently being spearheaded by Countryside Properties. The project is not only seeing physical regeneration take place in the area, but alongside partners such as Contour Housing, Salford City Council, The Broughton Trust and ESNMT, the developer is helping to deliver a range of community engagement and regeneration initiatives.
These initiatives are designed to heavily involve local people in Lower Broughton’s development and to enhance the close-knit community already there to create a vibrant new 21st century neighbourhood. For more information on events and community initiatives going on in New Broughton, or if you are a member of the local community and want to have your say on the area’s regeneration, browse new community website.