"On the Streets" a weekend of celebration and planning 19 - 20th August 1995
We hear all sorts of reports about people living in cities being too afraid to go outside their front doors.On the weekend of the 19th and 20th of August residents of the Methleys area of Chapel Allerton will have good reason to step onto the streets. Instead of cars and traffic they might come across a band of musicians, follow a nature trail or even get to see an outdoor movie.
The Methleys is a discreet area of some 300 back-to-back and terraced houses mostly built at the turn of the century.With tiny gardens and no green spaces, the streets themselves are the only public places. What the Methleys does have is a lively and active community.Methley Neighbourhood Actionis a voluntary group started last year and open to anyone living on the area.Over 60 residents have been to meetings so far and the group has been awarded a prestigious grant from the Royal Institute for British Architects to work with Leeds architect, Eddy Walker, to develop a Community Plan covering all kinds of local issues including the environment, children's play, traffic and crime prevention.
"On the Streets" will be a weekend of free events in the Methleys. Rita King, one of the members of the group explains:"We want all the residents to be involved in making the Community Plan.What better way than to get out on the streets and have a good time so that everyone can see what it really could be like"
There's certainly something for all ages from circus skills and face painting for children, street games organised by "Action for Sport" for teenagers and a late night showing of the movie "The Commitments".The film will be projected out of someone's bathroom onto the gable end across the road.It's definitely a walk-in rather than a drive-in as the audience is asked to bring their own chairs!
On the Sunday it's time to start planning for the future.Architect Eddy Walker explains:"We'll be going round the area asking residents for ideas about changing the layout of the streets.It's what we call 'planning for real' involving local people themselves in making the plans rather than have some architect telling them what's best."
The Methleys is full of people who are proud of the neighbourhood they live in, who enjoy being part of a friendly community and are prepared to put a bit of effort into making the best of it.