Croxdale Community
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| A local initiative bringing a new sense of community
to Croxdale Parish in County Durham. Residents are learning to work together
and with other organisations to improve their local environment. They hope
to attract the interest of young people who have become dispirited with
life in the area.
This case study from February 1997 is presented in the original format as provided by the Local Government Management Board in the UK, as part of the cross-sectoral Local Agenda 21 case study project. |
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A Local Agenda 21 project started by a group of people living in the parish of Croxdale, an impoverished ex-mining and industrial area in north east England. Although it has only been running for a short time, the project has already achieved a considerable level of success. This includes the donation of land and a building, the active involvement of a significant cross-section of the local community, youth participation, community recycling, reminiscing, practical projects and more. The project is being developed as a pilot, with experience being recorded and written up on an on-going basis.
Croxdale is a small village located on the urban fringe of Durham City. It is poorly served with facilities and community activities, and is bisected by a busy road. The project aims to develop a Local Agenda 21 for the community which will retain a sense of local ownership. As such, the Croxdale Community Agenda 21 Group is trying to involve all sections of the local community (there are approximately five hundred households within the parish) in social and environmental improvements. It is especially keen to help young local people who 'are bored and lack a sense of involvement and belonging which could lead to vandalism and aggression'.
The project has been adopted by the County Durham Local Agenda 21 Partnership, and the Croxdale Group has agreed to help pilot sustainability indicators for the county. It also intends to help progress other sustainable projects wherever possible (for example, it is already involved in a county-wide Local Agenda 21 Youth Project).
A local Croxdale resident, Mrs. Dorothy Keys, initiated the project in February 1996 with support and advice from Durham County Council's Local Agenda 21 Community Project Officer, Maggie Bosanquet. Other groups and organisations which have since become involved include: Croxdale residents; the County Durham Local Agenda 21 Partnership (constituting around two hundred organisations); the Environment Agency; the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV); Wastewatch; Durham County Council and Durham City Council.
Mrs. Keys contacted the County Durham Local Agenda 21 Team to ask if there were any local LA21 projects in Croxdale. She described an isolated parish, split by a major road, with only one shop and no local paper, and with few community activities or organisations. She recognised the potential in Local Agenda 21 to help rekindle a sense of community in the village through involving local people in social and environmental improvements.
There was an initial meeting in early 1996 between Mrs. Keys and County Durham's LA21 Community Project Officer, which was followed by a series of informal discussions between local residents, mothers, local councillors, young people, friends, et cetera. This led to the production of a newsletter and leaflet which was circulated by hand to all local homes. As a consequence, two preliminary planning meetings with local residents were held, leading up to a major public community meeting attended by over fifty local people and representatives from the Environment Agency, Wastewatch and Durham County Council.
At this stage the Croxdale initiative began to attract coverage in the local press, generating greater local enthusiasm and involvement. A second newsletter was produced, task managers were appointed and a steering group set up. Members of the community undertook to elicit the help of other agencies through a series of phone calls, letters and meetings.
More recently, presentations have been made to County Durham Local Agenda 21 round-tables on natural resources and on education and participation, resulting in the adoption of the Croxdale initiative as a LA21 project. A formal submission to the Environment Committee of Durham County Council was made in June 1996.
Advice provided by the Environment Agency, Wastewatch and Durham County
Council has enabled the local community to:
The young people who have become involved in the County Durham LA21 Youth Project are now described as far more optimistic than they were.
A local history group has been formed, encouraging older Croxdale residents to reminisce about a past which is of interest to younger people in the community.
Local rubbish clearance has commenced and wildlife habitat and surface water quality surveys have been undertaken. Partial land clearance and building restoration work, organised by the steering group, was underway in late 1996. A community newsletter is being produced, a village noticeboard has been erected, and the sole local shop has become the focus for the exchange of community information.
Grant aid has been secured.
The community is becoming more empowered, invigorated and cohesive. There is a high degree of individual personal involvement, especially of young people. Local people have gained a sense of hope.
A local landowner who historically has played little part in the community has donated a plot of land containing a small derelict Victorian colliery building. It is envisaged that this will be used to develop a pocket nature park, community garden and LA21 information centre.
Numerous organisations and agencies have taken an interest in the project, made free donations of time and/or expertise, and show every intention of remaining involved.
Taking a wider perspective, other communities are expressing a desire to follow suit.
Dorothy Keys has agreed to write up the history of the project, including its strengths and weaknesses, and to advise other communities and agencies.
So far, some fifty Croxdale residents have contributed much time and energy to making the project work, and the number of active participants is growing steadily. This effort by the local community has been augmented by regular support from Durham County's Local Agenda 21 Community Project Officer, with additional advice being provided at no charge by BTCV, a Wastewatch consultant, the Environment Agency, and Durham City and County Councils.
Initially, funding for the project was through contributions by local residents. However, in June 1996 a grant of £2,000 was made available by the County Durham Local Agenda 21 Project Partnership Fund. Further applications for funding are now being made.
Part of the £2,000 grant has been used to fund a leaflet and free newsletter to every household (two editions so far), and a public meeting. In future it will be spent on further development of the project and on promotional work with other community groups and Local Agenda 21 partners.
Croxdale Agenda 21 Group has appointed a Chair (a local resident), a Secretary and a Treasurer. Six Task Managers have also been appointed, all of whom have lived in Croxdale for at least ten years (five have lived there all their lives). Together these constitute the Steering Committee, which meets regularly.
The Group has adopted a constitution and, with help from BTCV, intends to apply for charitable status. Its officers meet regularly with Durham County's LA21 Officer.
The Group quickly discovered many 'beneath the surface' splits in the community, including feuds dating back decades. It is learning to mediate, handling these problems diplomatically, talking to everyone and avoiding involvement in personal disputes. This approach has been increasingly successful.
Many local people wanted 'improvements' which were not environmentally friendly or in the spirit of LA21. Education, tact and enthusiasm have been required to address this.
Maggie Bosanquet
Local Agenda 21 Community Project Officer
Durham County Council
County Hall
Durham City
DH1 5UQ
Tel: 0191 383 4253
The Local Agenda 21 Case Study Project Steering Committee has selected case study projects as examples of interesting (and not necessarily 'good') practice. Case study selection is based on the opinions of the individuals comprising the Steering Committee and does not necessarily reflect the views of the organisations participating in the Case Study Project.
At the time of publication and to the best of our knowledge, the information contained in this case study was correct.
The Steering Committee cannot vouch for any of the organisations involved.
Biodiversity
Local needs
Distinctiveness