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PICTURE THIS!A FORETASTE OF CHRISTMAS21COMMUNITY HOUSING EVENTShena Latto, chair of Shropshire Housing Group, with RogerBreakwell from Onibury, John Pickup from Neenton, andJake Berriman, chief executive of SHG.Lynnette Williams, hotel owner Lesley Casson, Georgia’s grandmother Jean Dayusand Scarlett Williams.A LADIES’ evening to raise funds for theGeorgia Williams Trust could becomean annual event after the inauguralnight collected about £2,000.The trust was founded shortly afterthe tragic death of the 17-year-old inWellington in May last year.Georgia’s mother Lynette Williams,who helped organise the event at TheBest Western Valley Hotel in Ironbridge,said it was a huge success and a nightthat Georgia would have loved.“We were not expecting to raise somuch, but more than 100 people cameand everyone was so generous.“I didn’t know everyone; people justcame to support and everyone got onand had a great time.The event on July 25 saw more than£500 raised on a raffle organised byGeorgia’s grandmother Jean Dayus.34Christmas came early at the The Park Inn by Radisson hotel inTelford, when it hosted a VIP festive showcase.More than 160 guests were invited to sample the hotel’sChristmas programme at the event, which had a winterwonderland theme. A three-course Christmas menu wasserved, including turkey and all the trimmings.Entertainment began with comedian Lee Lard as Peter Kay,the only Peter Kay tribute endorsed by Peter himself, followedby Baby Love, a trio who are supporting the hotel’s MotownChristmas party package.Hotel sales manager Sarah Dainty said: “We have alreadyreceived bookings for Christmas following the event.”DOZENS gathered at Ludlow Racecourse to learn abouthow parish and town councils can take the lead on housingdevelopment in their own communities.Community-led development, pioneered in the county byShropshire Housing Group, has seen a string of successful projectslaunched with the backing of residents, local authorities and thegovernment’s Homes and Communities Agency.Community-led projects begin by identifying what each town orparish needs in terms of new, affordable, homes and then workswith all partners to ensure that the properties delivered fit thatneed and are suitable for the area they stand in.Shropshire Housing Group has now created a separateorganisation, Marches Community Land Trust Services, with thebacking of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership.The Ludlow gathering was addressed by Matthew Dodd, the Ruraland Communities Manager from the Homes and CommunitiesAgency, as well as councillors from Neenton and Onibury – bothof which are benefiting from community-led schemes.CHARITY FUNDRAISING EVENT1 Alan Birkett, Lorraine Birkett, Clare Weaver and DannyWeaver.2 Kim Jones and Chris Jones.3 Carol Lovatt and David Lovatt.4 Ian Swift and Jocelyn Swift.Shropshire Housing Group chief executive, Jake Berriman, said:“This was a great opportunity to explain in straightforward termshow community-led housing can work really well, to share firsthand,warts-and-all experience of real projects and to ensurethat community representatives know what support and advice isavailable to them and how to access it.”62 63